The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-18
sz1rzzE. WEDNESDAY,. NOR. IS.



ne isse which has overtaken the Farm
Alliance party il only history repeat
'ns isssn In 1874 the granger movement
eWept the farming districts of the West
snd horthwest, particularly in Wisconsin,
Iowa and Minnesota, but this movement
ioss al it strength In less than two years.
efclsing no influence whatever in the
presidentlal contest of 1876. In 1878 the
ureenDack movement swept the country,
polling 5000 votes IN Pennsylvania, 1900
n NEW York, an equal number in Michi-
eans 5000 in Missouri. 10000 each in
Aaines Indiana and Ohio. and more than
N.U0O each in Kansas, Wisconsin and New
Jersey. But within less than two years
this Greenback wave of disaffection had
spent itself. and the Greenback party cut
no appreciable figure in the presidential
campaign of 1880. In 1882 came the elm
dependent" revolt in the Republican camp,
when Massachusetts, Connecticut, Califor-
MIA, Kansas. Michigan.and Pennsylvania all
siected Democratic governors. This
was the year when Cleveland OBJ
tanned 10000 plurality over Fol-
ger. But in 1854 the Republicans
carried all these states save New York and
Connecticut, and lost New York by only q
few votes. In 1886 the great labor upris-
ing took place which gave Henry George
over *, 900 votes in New York state alone,
but in the presidential election of 1883
there was no Labor party left worthy Of
the name.
In 1890 the Farmers Alliance rose in in
surrection and threatened Republican
supremacy in Kansas, Nebraska, Mime
sofa. Illinois and Iowa, but it has already
spent its strength and will cut no figure
Of consequence in 1892. and Governor
Pennoyer, of Oregon, will be obliged to re-
sumo his old political clothes and march
cornstalk fiddle and pumpkin trombone
no longer promise to be the victorious
music of the future. Governor Pennoyer's
political wardrobe makes an interesting
collection. He wore the Confederate uni
form under his coat during the war; the
Confederate colors in the lining
of his hat, aud whistled the
Bonnie Blue Flag" with closed
doors. Since the war he has worn the
Greenback uniform, and waved the fiat
money flag at every crossroads; he has
shouted for free trade and free silver. but
his most recent change of uniform was
when he attempted to hide all his old-time
uniform by wrapping himself from head to
foot in the long ulster of the Peoples
party. This garment certainly covered
Governor Pennoyer, because it stood not
merely for one of his pet lunacies, but for
ell of them; SO into this agricultural ulster
Of the Peoples party Governor Pennoyer
promptly thrust his corky arms, and it
fitted as perfectly as IL il had been made
20 his order and according to his measure
1t was not too long in the sleeves; it was
not too high In the neck; nor too narrow
across the chest; it was long enough to
cover him from head to foot. but not long
enough to interfere with his easy motion;
1t was not SO thin as to make him feel
chilly; IL was not so thick as to make him
perspire In his effort to reach the head of
the Peoples party.
But now the Peoples party is beginning
10 fade from view. and Governor Pennoyer
win be obliged to hang up his agricultural
ulster with his other cast-off clothing; with
the Confederate hair shirt and copperhead
skin cap he wors during the war; with his
somewhat tattered Greenback gossaner.
The strings.are snapped upon the governor
cornstalk fiddle, and wicked enemies have
choked up thethroat of his pumpkin-vinc
trombone, so the governor goes back to his
old clothes and his old camp, and marches
again TO the free trade and free silver Geld
music of the Oregon Democracy.