The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-12-27
INQUIRY
From the Prohibition Committee
Principles or Details?
Which?


Which?
L have just received the following
letter from gentleman for whom
all who knew him, have the highest
respect and esteem. He is one of
the foremost men in the nation in
the ranks of the prohibition party;
and would be in any party.
ALBION Mich. Dec. 16, 1893.
HON. lGNATIUS DONNELLY.
Hastings, Minn.
DEAR SIR:-Permit me to trespass
upon your time and patience for a
few items of information which | de-
sire TO use IN the reparatiOn Of a
magazine article. | see from week
to week several of the leading papers
published in the interest Of the peO-
pies party, but for the purpose [
have n view prefer information di-
rect from leading members of the
party.
L am, as doubtless every we'll in
formed citizen is, tolerably conver-
SAINT with the aims and purposes of
the peoples party. My present in
curry, however, is in the direction Of
something specific, and | trust you
may find it possible to give me an
early reply to the following ques-
tionS:
l. Were your party in control Of
the general government, that is,
with a majority of both houses Of
congress and the chief executive of
your party faith, what specific legis-
| q tn1u t.,;
would be enacted?
The aim Of my inquiry is to deter
mine upon what reform or reforms
your voters are SO clearly and unani-
mOuSly agreed that there would be
no question before hand about the
enacting of legislation desired. |
would be glad if you could make
your answer to this question as
pointed as possible, although of
course | appreciate the necessity of
brevity. 1t would seem to me desir-
able to answer in something other
than in general terms. For example.
in the matter Of corpora tiOnS and
mOnOpOlies, | would be glad to know
not simply that it is your purpose to
control such corporations and mon
0pOlleS in the interest of the people,
but something of the particular leg
lSlatiOn you would enact for the ac-
complishment Of that purpose.
Likewise in the matter of finance,
upon what measure of reform do you
feel that the pOpulistS are SO thor
oughly agreed that in general terms
1T can be affirmed that particular
act would be certain to pass?
2. We're your party in possession
OF the government of the state of
Minnesota, that is, both branches of
the legislature and the governor, will
you kindly give me in outline your
opinion as to one, two or three re-
form measures that you feel abso-
lutely certain would be enacted. into
law
| need hardly assure you that
many of the reforms demanded by
the peoples party are in entire har-
mony with the wishes of the rank
and file of the prohibition party,
although of course there are some
positions which your party takes
that fancy most prohibitionist
would hesitate to assume.
With highest personal regard, and
awaiting your reply, | remain yours
truly. SAMUEL DICKIE.
My friend will pardon me for say
ing, in reply to his question that a
wide distinction should be drawn be-
tween the principles Of party and
the details Of legislation
When the republican party, in 1860,
sought the suffrages of the people
they declared their opposition to the
slave-power. They did not say that
they proposed to to abolish slavery
by law, or by proclamation of the
president. If they had Mr.. Lincoln
would never have been PRESIDENT.
The republicans in 1890 did not say
we are in favor of such and such
duties on imports, but they pledged
themselves to the principle of prOtec-
tion, and left the details of legisla-
tion to those who were elected to
formulate them. Last fall the peo-
Piles party made, think a mistake,
in committing itself to the sub
treasury scheme. / do not say that
that scheme was not right and wise;
but it was matter of detail, of
form of egislation, a question
of principle.
We must first catch oatr rabbit before ace
quarrel hoaU to cook It, The story is
told of a painter who placed his
painting in the market place, with
paints and brushes, and requested
every one to alter it, in all details
that did not suit him. One attacked
the nose, another the eyes, another
the ears, another the mouth, anoth-
er the hands, another the clothes
{ and when the unfortunate artist re-
, turned at night, there was not sin
T gle feature left of his original paint
ing / had the honor of saying al
2 the Cincinnati convention, in 1891
: ';the party that lengthens it's plat
: form shortens it's muster-roll." Make
t your principles as broad and sweeping
r and comprehensive as you please, bu1
| get into power first; and then let tht