The news & observer., 1905-10-22
Wherefore Doth Butler
Become Whip-Popper?
ONCE THE FROTH FLEW
And Judge Pritchard Lugged Big
Stick WhereWiih to Crack Buffers
Head Should Occasion Require.
Now, Says H, S. Anderson,
Was This a Farce?
Especial to News and Observer.) }

Asheville, N. c.. oct. 21.-Hon. II.
S. Anderson, of Hendersonville, a
prominent Republican who as State
Senator seconded the nomination of
Mr.. ]. c. Pritchard for the United
states Senate, today gave for publica-
ton an open letter to the Republicans
of the State, in which he asks what
hold ex-senator Marion Butler has on
the Republicans of the State and in
which he intimates that the fight be-
tween Butler and Pritchard in 1897
was a farce.
Mr.. Anderson recalls that in 1897
Butler and Judge Pritchard were
elected to the Senate of the United
States from this State in pursuance OF
an arrangement made between them
and their friends, Butler taking the
long term and Pritchard the short
term, with the understanding that But
ler would support Pritchard for re-
election in 1897, and when the Gen
eral Assembly met in 1897 it was an
nounced that Butler had gone back on
his agreement with Pritchard and
would attempt to defeat the latter, and
that then, as there were not enough
Republicans to elect Pritchard, a
|
sufficient number of Populists to do
so. and that the fight between Butler
and Pritchard then became 50 bitter
that Senator Pritchard carried d heavy
walking stick to defend himself from
the threatened personal attacks OF
Butler.
He speaks further of the fight that
followed and says:
Senator Butler controlled most OF
the Populists, or at least they were
ready to follow his lead. and the OBJ
ject of the management was to pun
enough of these PoDulists to Pritch-
ard TO elect him.
This they succeeded in doing by
what means | do net know or care to
know. but nearly All OF the Populists
who voted for Pritchard as we'll as
his managers. received good appoint
ments Mr.. Anderson wants to know
why the present Federal otticeholders,
many of whom were Pritchard's S man
ayers in that campaign, now trust But
.cr with the directorship of the Repub-
lican organ in this State and thus
voices his doubt as to the genuineness
Of the struggle between Butler ana
Pritchard.
'In spite of our efforts to keep it
down the thought will continually
and Butler in 1897 genuine? Or was
it sham fight intended to mislead
and deceive the rank and file of the
Republican party? 1t is difficult to
solve the problem either way. If the
fight was real. it is strange that after
Senator Pritchard has been appointed
LUnitcd State Circuit Judge for life
and after most of his personal friends
and relatives have been provided for
h1 of
Republican State Executive Commit
tee to- The purpose of keeping those
friends and relatives in office, that
SutIcr should be brought forward
from his retirement, and place. as a
consnicuou5 leader of the great OF
ce-holdors daily" called the Indus
trial News.
Mr. Anderson concludes as follows:
"WilI the Federal office-hOlderS who
have started tho Industrial News an
Swer these GIestiOns:A Was what you
said of Marion Butler in 1897 true
Was he the scounGrel and traitor you
described MIN to he? If he was, what
signs Of moral regeneration has he
since shown?
IF he promised to support Pritch-
ard and failed to do so. what SatiSfac-
tory explanation has he given for his
conduct? Does he claim that he
could not conscientiouSly support the
policies and principles for when
| Pritchard stood He supported them
! long enough to get in himself In 1894
and is supporting them again today pS
supporting a Republican paper gotten
up, so it is said for the purpose OF dls-
! seminating those same principles. his
| intermediate moral spasm, IL he mac
one, is hardly a sufficient explanation
/ Was it because he lad discovered ina
Pritchard was not worthy of his sup
port? Hardly. for he has not peel
heard to put it on that ground, ahc
we all know that Pritchard STANDS OF
an immeasurably higher plane thaf
| Butler does. If what oiflce- -nolderS
said of him was true then II IS true
lnOw, and why are they hoohoopIh}
him, if they have not since discovered
a responsive chord in their own DOS
omS? Do they love treacnefy Ior IL
own use? Have they found a cohgen
ial spirit in Butler2 II What tile.
said of Butler in 1897 is not true the,
have not only shamefully slahdeIet
him. but have deceived ana nllSlea re
publicans as well. If What they Sdl'
is false they should come out anu Sd!
so, that Republicans may hhoW lht'
traitor has not been seleCteu L
teach them Republicanlsih 'hlousi
the daily press.
But seriously. gentlemen VINO Nv
by but not for the government, VIVA
you said of Senator Butter was tru
or it was false. If it was tfue' you Q
) course are the best Judges as 7
, whether YOU want ASSOCIATION W.T.
that kind of man or not out ca