The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-01-15


Turner, Of the Sixth district. wrote
Q letter 10 Frank MeGrsth, president
Of the State Farmer Alliance. Of.
fsFing 5000 for q seat In the United
States senate. The letter was pub
lishsd In the Alliance advocate aud
created . wide sensation. Turner
denied having written such letter
and MeGrath Indignantly denied
any completely with Turner In such
. deal. Nevertheless the editor Of
the Advocate sought an advantage
over McGrath, against whom he had
Q grievance; said grievance being the
refusal OF McGrath, a. president Of
the AllIance. to permit Alliance funds
10 20 TO the aid Of the Advocate, and
published the letter with IntIma-
tons Of corruption on the part Of
McGrath.
The latter called . meeting OF the
chief moguls OF the Alliance for the
purpose Of being whltewashed. He
was whItewashed-a thin coat be-
ing spread on. Not only did the in
vestIgating committee whItewasb,
but they also resolved tina. the TuT-
ner letter was q Republican trick to
disrupt It just on the eve Of an i'm
portant election.
The leaders OF the Alliance seem
determined TO stick TO Cne another
through thick and thin. Through
their secret and oath-bOund lodges
they proceed by regular bossism
processes 10 dictate the policy Of the
party and control the mental and
moral actions Of its members. They
are drawing the lines tighter and
tighter. They show more familiarity
with the practices they have strong
ly condemned In other parties than
seems possible. They practice the
most pernicious and most thorough
bossIsm ever displayed by any party
that ever existed in this country.
A veteran observer at the capital
says: Never before IN American
politics has there been such an exhi-
biIion Of bOssIsm and despOtic COM
mittee rule as has been shown In the
Alliance. The Alliance members Of
the legislature have been kept under
the closest espionage. They are
rounded up at the DuttOn, the Ma
tlOnal and the caucus rooms. and are
not allowed upon the streets except
under close guard. II has been clear
ly demonstrated that the representa-
tives are the ruled, not the rulers,
andthat they are under a surveil-
lance that they cannot escape. The
fact is they seem TO enjoy this species
Of thrRlldOm and look upon them
selves as a privileged class with
guards OF honor"
This condition would not be so bad
II the results sought were as good
and pure a. claimed, II some vital
principle ignored by other parties
were actuating the bossism, IL the
Of the peoples rights
could only thus be secured. But the
organization is plainly
In the interest Of demagogical lead
ers. The underlying principles Of
the new party, which to some extent
were the principles Of the Republic
can party, and In so far right, have
been forgotten In a mad aud unseem-
" rush for office. And this rush is
not confined to Topeka, but extends
10 every county In the state where |
he sub-allianees have power. The |
leaders want everything, even before |
hey have proved to the people their
or have earned a right by |
showing their sincerity. or demon
'trated that their organization is bet
.er than others.
We have thought and said that
here were many good things In the
lew organization, that there were
'ome good principles in the political
,art Of IL, even. We had much re-
pect for the evident sincerity OF the
ank and file. But the course OF
hings Is 80 evidently shaped by de-
Igning leaders to the injury Of the
party alone, aud the
ellance OF the membership in the
leaders has become so
lind and uDreRsOning, there Is so
eneral and utter an ignoring Of the
inns first sought, which captured the
est attention OF honest followers,
hat all respect for the new party
must give way to disgust.
With this 10 mingled naturally, in
he minds Of the thoughtful observer
passing events, q well-fOunded
ear that very grave injury may
e inflicted, not only upon the state,
ut upon the whole country. II
Gems hardly possible that the peo-
10 OF Kansas, who are known in
heir personal and business relations
D be honest aud to be actuated by
he hest of motives, should be so
hoodwinked by an un-
leadership and made by
the subservient unwilling tools of
len who will work their undoing,
nd cause the commonwealth to take
long stride backward.
The hope is that the rank and file
III be clarified in their vision before
ley 60 too far in the downward
purse now pursued. II Is time for
be thoughtful men Of the new
arty to take cognizance Of the
wrong position
ley are In. They should at least
make loose from the oath-bOund oil
Archy thst IL plainly bound to rule
T ruin, regardless Of the interests Of
he people.
ARRANT DEMAGOGIsM. {