Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1900-05-10
BUTLER'S GLARING INCONSISTENCY.
Joint Discussion on an Issue the Popul:st
State Convention Positively Refused to
Make. A therlEg Rebuke.


Make. A itherlEg Rebuke.
Chairman Simmons wrote letter t.
Chairman Butler yesterday 'tat
shows that the Democrats have TO in
tention Of letting the Republican,
Populist machine change the issle Of
this campaign
The issue is White Supremacy vs.
negro rule. The Republicans know
that upon this issue they can make no
headway because ninetenths cl the
members Oh their party are negroes.
lhey have therefore arranged With the
pOTsuISt leaders to act as the eat S
paw to pull the chestnuts out OF the
fire for them. In consideration of Re-
publican support of Senator Butler.
the Populist machine has agreed to
take the lead and try to get up . hot
fight between white men, and thereby
let the Republicans restore negro rule
and then vote for Butler for tlc Sen
ate. To the accomplishment of this
secret fusion, by which the Populists
get Butter and the Republicans get
, negro rule, Butler addressed the lol-
lowing letter a day Or two ago TO Er.
Simmons. Democratic Chairman:
Raleigh, n. c., April 20, 1900
! Hon. F. NJ. Simmons. Chairman .: the
Democratic State Executive Commit
tee. Raleigh. n. c.:
Sir: The candidates of the Peoples
Party for Governor, and the candi-
dates for other State offices. and the
candidate Of the Peoples Party for
United States Senator, desire a joint
discussion with the candidates of the
Democratic party for said positions
respectively, in order that the voters
OF the State, who must, in next Au-
gust. cast their ballots in approval OF
/ disapproyal OF the proposed Constitu-
| tiOnal Amendment the Elecuon Law.
ana other issues in the State may hear
| the facts and arguments that can be
presented by both sides, and render
their verdict accordingly. If your
committee and the candidates of your
party will agree to such Joint discus
sion. | will be glad 20 confer with yOu
at once. with a view to arranging a
| series Of appointments to begin imme~
dately after the close of the list of
! appointments for your candidates al
reG y announced. extending to and
! including MaE Sth 1900
Very respectfully,
'Sgned) MARION BUTLER.
Chairman Peoples Party State Execu-
tive Committee
Tu this letter Mr. Simmons made
the following reply:
Raleigh. n. c., April p. 1900.
Hon. Marion Butler Chairman Peo-
F.: pies Party State Executive Commit
tee, Raleigh. North Carolina:
Sir: received this morning your
letter Of the 10Th inst, in which YOU
suggest q Joint debate between ,le
for State offices. and the candidates
Of the Peoples Party for like posi-
tions
The question to be presented n the
people for their approval in August
and around which all other questions
center IS the adoption Of the Corsti-
tuticna Amendment. The People
Party III its late State convention
Whilc urging objections 10 the amend
ment. declared concerning it, We lo
not make it q party question anI
expressly said that il must be deter
mined by the Judgment and coEsci-
ence OF each individual voter. II
your letter you ask for Joint deb:s'<
upon the amendment thereby lis
closing purpose on the part Of tn
organization OF your party to commits
your party TO position which II has
expressly refused TO take in its STAG
convention This attempt to raise a.
issue not made by Your convention i
manifestly tn, result of a secret in.
derstanding with the Republican ra--
ty and in line with the action OF yO9,
party organization since 1894. VIM !.
has been employed to foster schemes
Of cooperation with the Republicdf
party and to prevent the indiylcr4
voter Of the People's party from pa.
cipitatng in the naming Of candida =.
or debating lis policy. It IS matte!
Of common knowledge in North Caro-
lima that there Is perfect under
standing between the leaders and thf
Federal office-hOIding element OF t,lC
Peoples party and the Republican
party. and in pursuance OF this undc.-
standing they haze secured the nom
nation o. State ticket and asked foI
a jo.nt debate in order 10 di,ide sn-
divert the attention Of the white peo-
Republican allies &rr
engaged Il their scleres OF attempt.
Ing to again tasten negro rule o. 10
State. Later On by these seuns tac'
tics, the Peoples Party vii undoar
e5ly Be led into fusion VIII ~ Re
publican party upon the Legislative
county and Congressiona, tickets II
all counties. and districts where i ls
thought that fusion viii - any gocC
towards the defeat OF the 4.neL}.olen'
! and the perpetuation q negro 81
t-aee in North Carolina
Under tGese clrcuMstan" i = n
/ e~ssit!- Il ccust.er he @,.-: z1'.ot