The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-06-13
AN INTERVIEW
WITH MIR. DONNELLY,

WITH MIR. DONNELLY.
The Outlook for the Campaign.
The Penny Press of June sth, con-
talns series of interviews, with John
Goodnow, on behalf of the republican
party, Hon. P. B. Winston, leading
democrat, and Mr.. Donnelly as a rep
resentative Populist. We quote what
Mr.. Donnelly said:
Ignatius Donnelly, in response to the
question, What is the outlook for the
Peoples party this FAM" said:
Il think the outlook for the Peoples
party in Minnesota is excellent. The gem
eral sentiment all over the state is in favor
of 5. NJ. Owen for governor I think he will
be nominated by acclama ton in our con-
vention to be held July 10, and all the in
dications are that he will be elected with
the whole ticket.
I'VE reason that in this way: Four years
ago, the off year, the Peoples party, or
the Alliance party, it was then called,
just starting in the state. gave Owen near
~ $4,000 votes. Twenty-Five thousand more
would have given him a plurality and have
elected him. This under unfavora BILE
circumstances. We were almost without
campaign funds and the party was torn to
pieces by factional differences. In 1892 it
dangerous time for third party movements
We still held about 10000 of the 0000 votes.
The Democrats made a special appeal to
religious prejudices by nominating Mr..
LaWler for governor and making a personal
appeal to Catholics to stand by on sectar-
ian grounds. This cut down our vote but
at the same time it intensified religious
feeling and had largely to do with the
spread of A. p. A'ism in the state. At
that time the Democrats were sanguine of
carrying the nation and were preaching the
doctrine that free trade was the universal
panacea to give prosperity to everyone
Now things are in very different
shape. The people, whether justly or not
and I think unjustly, hold the Democrats
responsible for the present general finan-
cfal conditions. And the Democrats in con-
gress are unwilling to administer the free
trade medicine which was to cure the
country. The disgust with the Democratic
party is greater among the Democrats than
among the Republicans. The Republicans
enjoy it and expect to profit by it. The
Democrats are in such a state of fierce in
dignation with their leaders and the presi-
dent that many of them talk of the break
ing up of the old organization In Ne
braslIa, under the leadership of Congress
man Bryan, a call for independent
anti-silver meeting has gone forth, the OBJ
Ject being to organize on new lines. AS
result of all these conditions, large part
of the Democrats in Minnesota and many
Republicans are going to vote the Peoples
party ticket.
I'VE have published in our newspaper.
The Representative, letters from all over
the state claiming that in their various
localities the party will poll double, t.eble
and even skiold its former vote Promi-
nent Republicans in private conversation
concede us 100000 votes this year. which
would be plurality in the state. The hard
times and universal unrest and dissatis-
faction are all working in our favor and,
! will add. to our strength.
N in Of
from nothing up to $1,000, we argue that in
1894. another off year, with poverty and dis
satisfaction universal we can increase our
10000 of 1892 to 900. There are no factions
In the party. Peace and good will reign
everywhere among us, We pull together as
man.
Many of our people feel friendly to the
Democrats, and we would be glad to COOP
crate If possible. A large majority however
were formerly Republicans and have intense
prejudices against the Democratic party.
coming down from the time of the war and
hence very strong opposition to any fusion
with them as party. Our doors stand open
however, to recruits from both the old par
ties, and as the Peoples party is not an
organization of politicians but of farmers
and workngmen we would be glad to have
all the men of ability join and we will treat
them as fairly as if they had entered our
ranks four years ago when the party was
started.
I'VE are all of us profoundly impressed
with the conviction that if some change
does not take place in public affairs there
will be not only political but physical rev.
olution. The masses today through all min
ing and manufacturing regions are held in
check and obedience by dread of rifles and
Calling guns. AS the pressure of wretched-
ness increases this fear may pass away and
when it does where will our country be?
1T is to save the nation from these ca
iamites by the peaceful instrumentality of
the ballot box that the Peoples party was
organized. We have no partisan feeling. We
hope the whole people will rise up and join
with us to save the country.
I'VE do not think the Republicans are JUS
titled in seeking to take advantage of pop,l-
lar disgust with Cleveland and his cabinet
by persuading Democrats to join them.
These hard times are due to legislation
acted when the Republicans were in full
possession of the power and the crime of
the Democratic administration is that they
have carried out Republican policies under
the influence of Wall street. In 1873 Republi-
cans had the senate, the house and the pres
ident and they demonetized silver which
act is the root and ground of all our
trouble. In 1893, 20 years after the Demo-
Gratis were in possession of congress and
president, and they consumated the Repub-
lican program by repeating that part of the
Sherman act which permitted the partial
use of silver, and gave the country 350OOO0
OF new money every month. The result is
that with population increasing 80 per cent
every ten years tne supply OIL money Tor
the transaction of business has been stead
lily failing. We had at the close of the war
in circulation $50 per capita. Today l do
not believe there is in circulation over 50
per capita. Some place it at $40 or S11. The
government says $24, but 1t makes no al
1owance for the hundreds of millions by law
loaded up in bank vaults for the safety of
depositors, nor the notes of large amounts,
the 500 and $1,000 bills not actually in cir
culation.
I'VE feel this time for partisan hatred
or passion. The salvation of the country
and it's institutions the maintenance of
peace and order are all at stake, and it be-
comes the sacred duty of every man to in
quire into the new questions and issues
that have arisen and vote according to his
conscience and Judgment
Why:
(From the Coming Nation.)
How a who produces no wealth
honestly have ANYTHING To eychanoe with