Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-08
FOLK AND THE THIRD PARTY,
What He Says Editorially Through HI
North Carolina Organ.

1 What He Says Editorially Through His
| North Carolina Organ.
| Special Dispatch to The Evening Star
RALEIGH, NC, June SAN editorial in the
latest issue Of President Folks paper. the
Raleigh Progressive Farmer has set the politi-
clans of this state by the ears. Among other
things il says: 1.-The question, what will the al
lance do with the new party, is on the lips of
tens of thousands OF anxious people today.
Well, 1t ought not to take much wisdom to an
swer that question. The new party has adopted
the alliance demands in its platform. Does
any one suppose intelligent alliance men will
vote against the party that adopts those de-
mands, aud in favor of party that not only
fails to adopt, but resists those demands?
! 'Western alliance states have already gone into
the new party. Will not the necessity for al
] lance unity force other alliance states to go
into the new party also?
1--WE see no way to prevent the new party
from sweeping the country. except the simple
| one Of cheerfuily conceding TO the people
every one of their just demands. II alliance
| men are to be blamed for going into new
| party, then hungry child can be blamed for
! going to some one who can and will furnish
him food. Gentlemen of the old parties. IL the
| time comes when your ranks shall .De broken,
your leaders OVERTHROW and your heritage
! taken from you do not blame the alliance for
your ruin. The people, represented by the
Farmers Alliance, have petitioned and begged
and pleaded and prayed for relief all these
years and the naughty minions Of political
power have spurned both them and their peti-
tons and prayers. Do not blame them for
! your overthrow. but blame your own blind and
miserable folly'
While Col Polk 10 not in immediate charge
of the ProJressice Farmer, he is its sole owner
and Is understood to exercise supervisory
control of the paper. and there is no doubt
that if he did not write the above article it WAS
published with his consent and Endorsement.
These words. then. emanating from the presi-
dent of the National Farmers Alliance. are in
vested with Importance which would not
otherwise be attached to them, and in their
purport and effect being widely discussed
by all the people-ailiance men, democrats and
republicans.
WHAT 1T MEANS.
Democrats generally, including the demo-
cratic alliance men, do not look upon the
article as declaration that the paper will sup
port a third party in this state, except under
certain contingencies. There are two ifs
which warrant them in coming to such a con-
clusion. 1t is believed that if the democratic
state convention next summer Incorporates
free silver and snbtreasury planks into its
platform it will obviate the necessity" of
nominating third party candidates for state
Offices The free coinage of silver plank will
undoubtedly be adopted by that convention,
but there is some doubt about the subtreasury
plank.
As stated in these dispatches last month, the
alliance will probably control the next demo-
cratic state convention; but that fact will not,
per Sc, insure the adoption of a subtreasury
plank In the platform.
Alliance men differ in their views of this sub
treasury scheme. The more radical minded of
them insist on the enactment of the present
bill. saying they willing to take their
chances of the Supreme Court declaring it I'M
constitutional. Others favor the 'pian," but
think new bill, about which there would be
no question of its constitutionaiity, should be
passed, while still others are opposed to the
whole scheme, bill, plan and all, believing it TO
be impracticable and un-American.
The Inter of these three classes are probably
in minority. but there may be a sufficient
number OF them among the delegates to the
convention to defeat the adoption of the sub
treasury plank. if reinforced, as they probably
would be, by the town delegates.
THEN WHAT?
In the event of such result it would remain
to be seen whether the alliance. as an organiza-
ton. would be satisfied to support the nomi-
nees of that convention with the certainty of
electing them, or whether it would be better
satisfied to nominate a ticket of its own, with
the certainty Of electing the republican candi-
dates high tariff, anti-silver men. That would
be the result il the order a whole supported
third ticket. or if only $4,000 alliance men
voted for third party candidates, for there
few republican alliance men in this state and
those few will nearly all vote for the republican
Rominees.'
However, the general opinion seems to be
that there will be serious trouble in the state
convention unless it arises over the selection of
delegates to the democratic national conven-
ton.
But as to national politics no such confidence
prevails among the democrats. 1t seems to be
very certain that the democratic national con-
vention will not adopt subtreasury plank into
its platform, and il it dominates Cleveland for
President a large percentage of alliance men
will not support him unless change of heart
takes place before election day. 1t is equally
certain that if third party electoral tickets are
placed in the field and any considerable num-
Der OF alliance men vote for them. the republi-
cans will carry several southern states, includ-
ing North Carolina.
1t remains to be seen whether the low tariff
Cor free trade) and free silver alliance men
think they can gain anything by electing a
high tariff and anti-silver republican to the
presidency by pursuing an independent course
like that referred to above, or whether there
will be q coalition formed between the .popu-
lists and the democrats in such southern
states as North Carolina, Virginia and West
Virginia. giving to each representation on the
electoral tickets.
COALITION POSSIBILITIES.
This latter plan may be adopted in this state
and perhaps others if any considerable num-
Der Of alliance men demand it. In that way
their candidates would get some electoral
votes, whereas by independent action they
might not get any, with the possible exception
OF the Kansas electors
The adoption of this plan. however. might
result in throwing the election into Con-
gress and the consequent loss of the vice
presidency to the democrats, though insuring
the election OF their candidate for President
That, however, would be preferable to them to
the probable loss of the presidency through
the defeat Of their ticket in few OF the south
ern states.
In truth, politics are becoming nightly
mixed in these regions and just what effect
the alliance conference" to be held at Wash
ington on the next anniversary of the birth of
the father Of his country, it IL impossible to
foretel.
Meanwhile the republicans of the sonth are
looking on with an amused, expectant express
sion Of countenance. secure in the belief that
the alliance cannot hurt them, as they have
everything to gain and nothing to lose, no mat
ter which way the political wind blows.
THE BER1NG SEA BILL.
Il IL Passed by the House OF Lords TODAY