Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-07-14
AN OBSERVING DEMOCRAT.

The following article sent to the New
York World from Chicago during the
Democratic convention, by special cor
respondent, is not weakened by age. In
it there is encouragement for those who
are working in the cause of the people:
A question Of great Importance, and
one which is now receiving the careful
attention of conservative Democratic
leaders, is the possibility that in the
election next November the so called
third party may succeed in carrying
enough states to control the balance Of
power in the electoral college.
Lawrence Gardner, secretary of the
Democratic congressional campaign COM
mittee, has given this subject great
deal of thought, and has made some
significant figures showing the possible
outcome of a chain of circumstances
which might throw the choice of the
next president into the house of repre-
sentatives under the operation Of the
constitutional provision. To The World
correspondent Mr.. Gardner said:
1.-The third party, composed Of the
Farmers Alliance and many other
smaller organizations, the membership
of which is largely made up Of agricul-
turists and laboring men, will hold it's
national convention at Omaha next
month. A presidential ticket will be
put in the field, and in number of
western and southern states full tickets
of state officers will also be nominated.
The leaders of the third party now CLAIM.
with much confidence that they will be
able to secure the electoral votes Of
Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Ten
nessee, South Carolina and West Vir-
ginia. This would give an aggregate of
forty-nine votes and would insure abso-
lutte control of the action of the electoral
college. But even with smaller number
of electoral votes the third party leaders
will be able to throw the election into the
house. 1t is therefore highly important
for us to prepare to meet the plans now
being evolved to strengthen and per-
petuate an organization which is draw
ing its vote in several states largely
from the Democratic party.
II have talked with many Of the third
party leaders," continued Mr.. Gardner,
"and am convinced that no fusion either
with the Democrats or the Republicans
will be possible. It has been suggested
that by compromise of some sort the AL
lance and its fellow organizations might
be induced to support the candidate of
one or the other of the two great parties.
1t has also been suggested that certain
pledges or concessions might be made to
the leaders of the third party to induce
them to direct the casting of such cleo
toral votes as they control for the Re-
publican or Democratic candidate for
the presidency.
From the present political outlook
am satisfied that there is no possibility
of a fusion. Under certain circum-
stances it might be possible. but the
third partyites are making strong fight
for their principles, rather than for inn
mediate success, which they realize can
not be attained. If any material advan-
tage, such as would justify the leaders
in retiring their own candidates. could
be secured by coalition, l think it
might be effected, but unless positive
pledges were given such an arrangement
would be crt of the question. With
Harrison in the field on the Republican
side, and with a certainty that an anti
free silver candidate will be put in the
field by the Democrats, there is no hope
of bringing about a fusion.
THE great issue of the Democratic
party is tariff reform, but. although
reduction in revenue charges is also part
of the creed of the third party. it is
secondary consideration with them as