St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-18


WASHINGTON, Nov. Ills the Popu-
list party to continue in the political
field?
Illls IS one of the questions which Is
now hgitating certain political circles at
the capital ,aud the question is based upon
fnmors that the leaders of the party are
contemplating change of organization
because of some disagreement among
them. but especially for the purpose of
permitting the advocates of the free
coinage of silver who have never en-
oraced the Populist doctrines as to the
government ownership of railroads, the
pond loan policy and the issuing of
paper money, to attach themselves to
the new organization Report of such
movement has reached here from
AansaS, and 1t is stated, among other
slgnlhcant facts, that w. f. Wright
meier, of Topeka, who was Instrument
al In CALM. the Cincinnati conference
In 1891, n the Populist party was
called int eing, had taken the initia-
tive in The movement for reorganiza-
ton of the party upon different lines.
Senator PETER was called upon by an
Associated Press representative today
Ior information as to the correctness of
the report, and Gnhesitatingly stated
that the rumor of the proposed change
was
WELL FOUNDED.
q II expect" he said, "a new align
ment of parties to be formed after the
congressional election of next year, and
our party will be ready for work in the
presidential election OF 1867
"Do you mean that the Populist party
will be disorganiZed?" was asked.
"Ihe POpulists," he answered, twill
form part of great national organiza-
ton, which will probably be brought to-
gether under another name. The Pop
ulist party will have the same relation
to this party that the old Free Soil and
Abolitionist parties bore to the Repub-
lican party, which was afterwards Or
ganized by coming together of all the
people opposed TO the extension of slav-
cry in the national territories"
When asked what would be the issue
on which the new party would organ
ize, he said it would be the question of
money.
"The fssue," he continued. sis now
between the money power and gold
basis, on one side, and the producing
masses of the people, advocating large
tyolume OF money on gold. silver and
paper basis. on the other. That will be
the great Issue in 1896, and it is one
upon which the people will divide with
out regard to former party differences"
Upon being asked what would become
OF other tenets of Populistic faith, Mr..
Peffer said:
"While the Populists have funda-
mental doctrines other than that relat-
ing to the volume of the currency, which
they cherish and will continue to cher
lsh, they recognize that the first step in
SECURING THE REFORMS
which they advocate is to settle the
money question, and they believe that
it would not be good politics or wise
craftsmanship 10 decline to cooperate
with their fellow citizens who believe
just as they do concerning the first
move In the solution of a problem which
they regard as vital. While we are
lighting this first great battle we shall
learn great many things about what is
necessary to be done after the victory
shall be won Qle senator spoke very
confidently of winning), and from that
time forward all the old party preju-
dices, which have kept US apart so long
to our injury. will have been buried
and forgotten, and we shall be solid
mass of voters, ready for the accom-
plishment of other needed reforms. l
look for the success of this new move
| ment in 1896, and l expect a president
and congress to be chosen in 1900
which will put into statute law the lead
ing doctrines of the Populist party of
| today"
MIR. PETER stated that there had been
no Interchange of views on the question
with the silver Republicans Or the silver
Democrats, but he was quite confident
that the fight made upon the financial
issue three years hence would prove
successful. He says he does not favor
conference until after the congress
Ional election next fall, but there are
others who think the organization
should be effected early in 1894. Mr..
PETER advocates change of name for
the party, and suggests that the word
nationalist" should be used instead of
''p0pulist."