The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-01
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.


PopuIisfs Preparing to Revolt.-It
HI : just been learned that senator Marion
Butler OF North Carolina has sent out to
the members of the Populist National Com.
mittee. OF which he is chairman and to
the country. carefully pnrasel letter Of
enquiry, asking them FOR an expression OF
opinion on various topics OF interest. not
alone to the Populists. but to a largc(eie-
n.ent Of Democrats as well. The chief
enquiries pertain to the course the Popu.
list organization will take next year. Tne
minor points covered are as TO the time
and place of holding the Populist IA
tional Convention. and as to when and
where the chairman should call the COM
mites together IN determine these matters
The character Of the replies being received
by Senator Butler is unknown, because
he Is not yet ready to discuss the slt.-
ject But recent events in Indiana anil
Texas have caused the surmise to be gen
erai that the Senator's tentative enquiries
are having an effect not looked Cor by the
friends OF Colonel Bryan. 1t is remarked
as significant that the very day on which
Colonel Bryan broke his visit of months
duration in the Lone Star State. tine Fopu-
list committee in Texas held a meating and
next years campaign" Furthermore II is
stated that there was not a friend OF Colo
mel Bryan in the meeting" Thu reason as
signed for the absence OF friendship for the
Nebraskan T&s that "he mas been incor-
sistent by t-aining WITT TamIaany in New
York and Goebel in Kentucky The atti-
tude Of the Texans is not regarded as %
any Importance per Sc. The Demo ratio
majority is so overwhelming in that State
that the PODulists cannot endanger the
electoral vote. But. unless Populism is
completely dead. except in name we'll in
fcfmed politicians believe that under the
realignment that has occurred between the
two old parties in Indiana since 81 the
Populists hold the balance OF power in
Hoosierdom. Accepting this as fact. it is
evident that whoever is the Democratic
standard-bearer in 1900 the party would
have TO abandon Indiana unless firm flu
sion arrangement is made with the Popu-
lists. II is not known. OF course. what
attitude will be taken by the Populist or
CARNATIONS in other States, though ii is
feared that the action of the Texans ana
lndianans will be followed by their
brethren all over the Union. 1t is not be-
lieyed that Senator Butler. even If he were
so inclined, could check the stampede. In
deed. there are many who believe that the
young North Carolina statesman is ambi-
tious to lead his party in an independent
night next year, not so much with the
view of inficting injury upon the Demo-
cratic cause as with the view OF strength
ening his chances of reelection to the
Senate by effecting deal with the Demo-
c-ats in North Carolina whereby Populist
Presidential votes are to be traded for
Democratic legislative votes. An arrange
ment of this sort. it is thought is abso-
lutely necessary to the election of Legis-
lature in North Carolina next November
that will re-elect Senator Butler in 1901.
At the same time. it is feared that what
ever deal of this kind that Senator Butler
may be using his power as Chairman OF
the Populist National Committee to make
will cause embarrassment to the Demo-
cratic organization in general and to Colo
mel Bryan in particular. 1t is held that if
Bryan is to be fought by the Populists
simply because he has given his approval
TO party regularity by endorsing Tammany
in New York and GGebel in Kentucky
there can be no common ground Of action
for the Democrats and pulists next year
with the Nebraskan as leader This leads
the political prognosticators to two ways
out of the difficulty. One is for tine Demo
cratic managers to boldly proclaim their
independence of the Populists and renomi-
nate Bryan. The other is to take Colonel
Bryan at his word and If "a better man can
be found, entrust the party leadership to
new hands in 1qOO