The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-05-03
Simmons to Butler.
P0PULIST CHAIRMAN ASKS FOR JOINT
DISCUSSION
Between Democratic Candidates for
State Offices and Nominees of the
Peoples Party, Which Request Is
Promptly Turned Down for Reasons
Given-ButIer's Little Scheme Clear
ly Seen Through.
(Raleigh POst.)

get the Democratic candidates for
State offices to engage in a joint de-
bate with the Populist nominees in
the interest of the Republican party
has been promptly turned down by
+. NJ. Simmons, the chairman of the
Democratic State Executive Commit
tee.
Mr.. Simmons gives Butler the trim
ming that fits him. The correspond
ence, which is given herewith, makes
interesting reading:
RALEIGH, N. c., April 20, 1900.
Hon. +. N. Simmons, Chairman of the
Democratic State Executive Committee,
Raleigh, N. c.:
SIR:-The candidate of the Peo-
ple's party for Governor, and the
candidates 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 posi-
ton, respectively, in order that the
voters of the State, who must, in
next August, cast their ballots in ap-
proyal or disapproval of the pro-
posed Constitutional amendment, the
election law and other issues in the
State, may hear the facts and argu-
ments that can be presented by both
sides, and render their verdict ac-
cordingly. If your committee and
the candidates of your party will
agree to such joint discussion, will
be glad to confer with you at once,
with a view to arranging series of
appointments to begin Immediately
after the close of the list of appoint
ments for your candidates already
announced, extending to and includ-
ing May Sth, 1900.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) MARION BUTLER,
Chairman Peoples Party State Exec
utive Committee.
RALEIGH, N. c., April 81, 1900.
Hon. Marion Butler, Chairman Peoples
Party State ErecutiUe Committee,
Raleigh, N. c.:
SIR:-I received this morning your
letter of the Goth inst, in W sich you
suggest a joint debate between the
candidates of the Democratic party
for State offices, and the candidates
of the Peoples party for like posi-
tiOns.
The question to be presented to the
people for their approval in August,
and around which all other questions
centre, is the adoption of the Consti-
tutional amendment. The Peoples
party in it's late State convention,
while urging objections to the amend
ment, declared concerning it, "We
do not make it party question: -
and expressly said that it '.must be
determined by the judgment and
conscience of each individual voter. -
In your letter you ask for joint
debate upon the amendment, there
by disclosing purpose on the part
of the organization of your party to
commit your party to position
which it has expressly refused to
take in it's State convention. This
attempt to raise an issue not made
by your convention is manifestly the
result of a secret understanding with
the Republican party and in line
with the action Of your party or
ganization since 1894, which has been
employed to foster schemes Of coop
Grafton with the Republican party
and to prevent the individual voter
of the Peoples party from partici-
pating in the naming of candidates
or debating the policy. 1t is a mat
ter of common knowledge in North
Carolina that there is a perfect un-
derstanding between the leaders of
the Federal office-holding element OF
the Peoples party and the Republi-
can party, and in pursuance of this
understanding they have secured the
nomination of State ticket and ask,
ed for joint debate in order to divide
and divert the attention of the white
people while their Republican allies
are engaged in their scheme Of at.
tempting to again fasten negro rule
| on the State. Later on, by these
same tactics, the Peoples party will
undoubtedly be led into fusion with
| the Republican party upon the legis-
| lative, county and congressional
| tickets in all counties and districts
where it is thought that fusion vii
do any good towards the defeat OF
the amendment and the perpetuatior
of negro suffrage in North Carolina
Under these circumstances it is i'm
possible to consider the organiza
ton of the Peoples party, as now
constituted and controlled in Norti
Carolina, as having any existence
separate and independent from tha
of the Republican party. Until thu
organization of the Peoples party ir
this State proves its right to be treat
ed as political entity, separate anc
distinct from the Republican party
by refusing to fuse with that partl
upon State, county. legislative ant
congressional candidates, the Demo
cratic party cannot consider you
proposition.
Concerning the suggestion contain
ed in your letter as to a joint debat
between you and the Democratic can
didate for the Senate, you are in
formed that the Democratic part
has no candidate for the Senate. an,
that it does not propose to discuss o
consider the Senatorial question unit
after the question Of whether Mort
Carolina is to be governed by tn
white man or by the negro has bee
settled in the August election. Fror
that paramount and all absorbin
question the Democratic party doe
not propose to be diverted, either b
Senatorial contest, sham tickets, q
, cunningly devised schemes to .'pla
politics"
, Yours truly,