The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-18
BUTLER'S GREAT VICTORY
DIR. CYRUS THOMPSON DEFEATS
PEACE FOR CHAIRMAN.
BUTLER CONTROLS COMMITTEE
The Vote In Committees Very Close--Ihe LIST,
4tn and 9Th Districts Were Against
Butlsr--Some Division as to
Other Districts.
Other Districts.

Other Districts.
Though the convention did not nomi-
nally meet until ) o'clock, it really began
AT 1880 o'clock with a caucus of the
anti Democratic fusionists. This lasted
IN hour and was presided over by Sher~
iif Jenkins. of Chatham county.
Congressman skinner. Otho Wilson
and A. s. Peace, were, of course, the
moving spirits. After discussing the
situation and the business likely TO come
before the convention and how best to
nreyent the adoption Of n Democratic
fusion proposition, the following commit
Zee was appointed to confer with like
committee from the Butler caucus: Har-
ry skinner, $. Ohio Wilson. A. 5.
Peace. ]. H. Quinn and lin Il. King.
The Butler caucus met at , o'clock in
the Senate chamber. The conference
committee appointed by II consisted of
Marion Butler Cyrus Thompson, IL. W.
Aver. Morrison Caldwell and Baylus
Cade.
The convention met in metropolitan
Hall nj : o'clock. +. A. Moye, of Pitt,
who was chairman of the Joint caucus.
called it to order explaining that the
convention had not met earlier because
the conference was in session. The con
ference, he said, having failed to agree
II was now in order for the convention
to proceed to business.
Chairman Fountain, of the Executive
Committee, requested delegates 10 seat
themselves in the hall according to dis
tricts. This caused stir III the hall
for twenty minutes. Then Mr.. Eoul-
tain formally called the body to order
and named J. Il. Sehulken. of Cabarrus.
as temporary chairman.
On assuming the chair, Mr.. Schulken
said:
"Gentlemen of the Convention: an
at a loss to know just what to say TO
this convention. | can say one thing,
though, standing on this side of Won.
Won all make very handsome appear
ance. / don't know know what sort of
aspect you would present from the other
end. naughter) | am sorry to know
that there is some dissention in our
ranks. | am sorry to know that we do
not stand here as a unit. | hope, how
eyer, before we leave this hall there
will not be II dissenting voice among
you. (Applause.) When we go ont
from here / believe we will go out With
the determination TO fight for the prin-
ciples advocated by the Populist party.
fApplause and cheers) We are here
with a trust and confidence imposed on
us, and when we 60 back home we must
answer for how we have discharged this
trust. / would like to know that the
conference committee have settled Their
differences and agreed to agree. There
are some of us in favor of fusing with
the Democrats, some with the Repub-
leans and some for Il straight fight. And
Of all these fusion elements it seems
to me we are about to reap confusion.
"But whatever our differences on the
question of fusion, | don't believe there
is a man here who is not in favor Of the
principles of the Popuist party. | don't
beliye there is a man here who is not
in favor of free silver faint applause).
| don't believe there is man here who
does not favor an income tax zap
plause). / don't believe there is man
here who does not favor election re.
form. Continued applause and loud
cheering) Union on these principles
must insure union among us on the
means Of carrying them out. ZAP
plause.) ! now declare this convention
open for the transaction of business.
After considerable trouble in securing
some one to act as secretary, A. ID. X.
Wallace, Of Rutherfordton, consented
TO act in that capacity.
This done Congressman Skinner step,
ped to the front amid an intense silence
and moved that the delegates from each
congressional district get together and
name a yice-Dresident and appoint one
man 10 represent them on each Of the
foiloWlng committees: Credentials per-
manent organization, platform and reso-
buttons.
Hardly had the spell binder" finish
ed making his motion when Senator But
Ter stepped uDon the rostrnm and took
seat His appearance was signal
for wild cheering and applause that last
ed half Il minute.
Evidently Col. Skinner was taken nv
surprise. He was not prepared for This
demonstration to his opponent while he
sSkinner) was in the midst of n very
important motion.
AT the request of the chairman. on
Skinner repeated his motion. and then
began as pretty and clever n game 1T
politics as old Metropolitan Hall has
ever Stcll-dHu us usual Butler pama
ont winner. Just as he intended and
had declared it should do, the conven-
ton an hour later adjourned without
having done one solitary thing. excenf
wrangle
Hasn't it been customary for the
temporary chairman to appoint the cre-
rental and other committees?" limo.
Gently inquired Congressman Fowler
after Congressman Skinner had repeat.
ed his motion.
"Never within the history Of any no,
litical party that / have ever heard of, .
shonted Skinner.
II think the gentleman is mistaken
meekly suggested Fowler. in the ton,
Of confidence characteristic of one wht
feels that he is master of the situation
IF ! remember correctly this very Gus
tom has prevailed in the very party q
which the gentleman is member
James b. Lloyd-"I can probably re