The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-04-26

RALEIGd, N. c., April 23.-The State
Conyent,on oil ihe Populist Party,
which assembled In this city last
Wednesday, was in marked contrast to
that which packed to oyerfowlng the
same hall week previously.
Not only was the contrast remarka-
bic in point Of NUN hers, but the utter
absence OF enthusiasm aud the foriorn
and hopeless expression OF counte-
nance worn by some>of the delegates
furnished material for even more con-
spicuous comparison.
Again, the dearth OF prominent or
brainy men-amCunting to almost
CANINE" III that respect-was pain
fully noticeable. Marion Butler, Cy.
Thompson, Harry Skinner and few
others of some note and ability made
up the aggregation OF talent" nome
talent, which was supplemented By
the presence OF Nebraska Congress
man, who came down from Washing
ton to help Butler out. Neither Sen
ator Allen nor Senator Pettigrew was
present, however, after all the ante
convention heraiding they had receiv-
ed through the Pop. papsrs and pol
iticlans. Both bad excuses" which
were more or less plausible.
Looking over the Eotel registers or
in the lobbles one would not have sus-
pected that State convention was in
session or abont to Assem- ole IN Raj
eigh. There really was not score or
dozen men to be seen "hohnobbing
in the way usual on such occasions.
WHAT THE POP. CONVENTION DID.
(; Butler had entire and perfect con.
troll of the convention. He apparent
~ dictated every nomination and wrote
the cut-and dried platform adopted.
1t Is very evident that the Popullsis
as party are but shadow Of what it
strated that fully 80 per cent. OF them
left in the organization are Butterflies.
The delegates on this occasion fell
duwu ard worshipped him on every
available occasion. His speeches Che
made three or four) were the old famll-
lar harangues.
Cy. Thompson (who is a sharp and
shrewd politician and much better
speaker than Butler, and probably an
adler man-that's easily said) seemed
to hold next place in the "hearts Of his
countrymen,' as represented on this
occasion. But this was largely due to
the patent fact that he was "for" ev-
erything Butler desired, and was &C.
lively at work carrying out the Sena-
ator's orders.
When Col. Harry Skinner made a
prcr hsition to endorse the Democratic
Electors at-large, large proportion Of
the delegates, possibly half OF them
at once fell in with the idea--to the
CONSERVATION of Butler--and they
were demanding ro!l-call when But
Ter and Cy. Thompson made it known
that this was against the Senator's
wishes" (and "plans," it should have
been added), and at once the entire
body Of delegates with less than half
Il dozen exceptions, Lowled the Skin
ner idea down, and "by rising vote"
killed it unanimously.
WHY THEY WOULDN'T ENDORSE MCLEAN
| AND OVERMAE.
Col. Harry Skinner, while the plat
form was up fer adoption, made the
sensible suggestion that If Butler was
really in earnest In his professions to
help elect Bryan by sending a Bryan
delegation to the National Popuiist
Convention, then Oyerman and Nc
Lean, the Bryan Democratic electors
at-large, should also he endorsed and
voted tor by the Populists.
I But the convention was dead against
him, especially after Butler and Cy.
Thompson had informed it of their
opposition, and they voted the propo-
si.lon down with a mighty wave of
''noes."
"How was that?" l said to Buffers
ex-lieutenant, Ohio Wilson.
Skinner was right" he replied.
"3at if this proposition had gone
through, it would not have afforded
Butler the opportunity to trade that he