Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-12-31

Those Elected as Democrats, Upon Demo-
cratic Platform, Did the Best They Couid
Under the Circumstances.
The eyes of the nation are turned To-
ward those members of congress who
were elected by an alliance constituent
cy, during the organization OF both
houses, in order TO note what position
each would take in regard to the polit-
ical parties The position of such mem
bers has been complicated bY the fact
that the supreme council at its
recent session passed a resolution re-
questing congressman to stay out of
party caucus unless the alliance de-
mauds were made a test of admission.
This was perfectly satisfactory to con-
gressmen who belong TO the peoples
party, because the demands have been
incorporated in the platform of that
party; but some of the alliance
congressman belonging to the deme-
cratic party were the regular
nominees and were elected by
that party, and largely by voters who
reside in cities AMI towns and do n I
belong to the alliance, and the demo-
cratic party has not yet indorsed the
alliance demands and, therefore, they
could not at this time make them a test
OF admission to the democratic caucus.
In this emergency small band of
brethren, nine in all, headed by Hon.
Thomas B. Watson, of Georgia, as cir
candidate for speaker immortalizet
themselves politically, and made tracks
in American history which will never
be obltarated, by refusing to 60 into
the caucus of either party, and by hoist
ing the independent banner as a nu.
cleus for the great reform hosts to rally
to. Each one of these men is hero;
each has served his constituency ac.
cording to their desires ana wishes.
Their names are: Thomas b. Watson,
of Georgia; Ben Glover, of Kansas;
Jerry Simpson, Of Kansas; John Davis,
of Kansas; j. g. Otis, of Kansas; Will
liam Baker, of Kansas; X. Halversou,
of Minnesota; O VI. KEN, oi Nebraska,
and II. A. Mckcighan Of Nebraska
These men can go back to their constit-
uencies with tn fun consciousness of
having done what the people who
elected them expected them to d., and
they were fortunate Ia having the re-
quest of The supreme council hlrmuni1a
with their obligations to their ronstit-
uences.
The balance Of the alliance coa.
tingent in congress have also made his
tory of which they may be proud and
their constituents grateful They, to7.
did just what the peopic who electcG
them expected to be done; but they
were compelled TO do it in the face of
not to do it by the supreme coun-
ell. This required courag gc and devo-
ton TO the cause OF the people, and
they, too, ca 60 home AMI receive the
piaudits Of aimiring and thankful con
because in disob,ying the
supreme council rs TO method they
have made q gallant fight for priu .iple
and achieved we greatest victory for
the alliance that has crowned its BAN
ners to date, ami they have opcuei the
way for the triumph OF the cause Of the
people.
Tne relations between congressman
and the supreme council is one thing,
and their relations To their con,titu-
ancies is another ami they may bc de-
pended upon to meet their obligations
to each. When the supreme council
igain meets those congressman who
lave been able 10 comply with its re-
quests viii receive due acknowledge
neut, and those who have not been
able to do SO, but have nevertheless
achieved great victory for the p-inci-
1les involved fare sumptuousiy as well.
There should be no word of censure for