Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-03-31

INTERESTING SITUATION BROUGHT
ABOUT BY THE THIRD PARTY.


May Result in the Obliteration of the
Color Line in Politics.
A special dispatch to the Philadelphia
Press Republican, from Raleigh, N. c.,
contains some interesting information
and conclusions Following is the SUBJ
stance of the dispatch:
in declaring for the organization of a
third political party has carried con-
sternation to the Democrats throughout
the state 1t was not believed that such
an action would be taken, and large
number of Democrats secuted the idea
that Colonel L. l.. Polk would join in
the movement He has great strength
with the Alliance. and the great mass of
these people are ripe for the third party
movement. 1t is the lower and middle
classes against the Blue Blood and Bour
bon Democrats.
The Alliance people now propose to
carry the elections and hold the offices.
The members have been persistently
taught in their lodges that the Repub-
iican and Democratic parties are totally
under the dominion Of Wall street."
and that there is no hope for reform leg
islation as demanded by the Alliance
from either of the old parties.
Nothing of the kind has been expected
of the Republican party, but everything
has been promised. without the slightest
e,,1 h., 81
When that party had the house of rep
resentatives for fourteen years, and now
have it again by an overwhelming ma
jority. no legislation on the line as de-
nanded by the Ocala platform, and as
announced in the ST. Louis platform and
in the call of the Omaha national con-
vention. was enacted and none seems
likely by the present house.
This is the main reason for the exist
ence of the third party sentiment in this
state and the further fact that the ALI
ance people now see that the caucus sys-
tenn dominates and controls both parties
at Washington, and the only way to af-
feet legislation is to elect a majority of
third party men to the next house and
with power to pass such bills as may be
agreed upon.
Of course tho stock in trade of the
Democratic press and speakers is that
any considerable support of the third
party throughout the south by men who
have heretofore been Democrats will
have the effect to hand these states over
RI
acts. deeds and scenes of reconstruction
days: that is. put the negro into power.
Thousands of weak men will heed this
partisan cry of distress and will vote tn
keep the negro down, as they believe.
There are thousands of negro members
Of the Alliance. and broad ground was
taken on the question of political equal
ity at st. Louis All this tends to ohlit-
GRAFTON of the color line" in politics and
is an unfailing source of weakness to the
Democratic party. whose Shibboleth has
been. and is now. the everlasting negro.
For these reasons the Republicans of
the sonth hail with delight the organiza-
ton of the third political party and fer
vently hope to see it take root and spread
in every southern state.
Any political change in the state must
be for the better. so far as the Republic
ans are concerned They are now tied
hands and feet and are as helpless polit-
ically as il is possible for party to be.
On present lines this situation will re-
main unchanged.
The organization of the third party
will break up race solidity. The color of