The Bessemer indicator., 1894-11-17
POPULIST SENATOR'S.
WILL ACT rNDEPENDENrLY.
Senator Stewart Will Join with Eithcl
Party That Favors Frce Silver Coinage
senator PETER Calls Attention to the
Gain In Popullst Votes.

Washington, Nov. 11.-Senator PEI
fer has arrived from Kansas. Discuss
ing the result of the recent election, he
said the Populists had no reason to
feel discouraged.
"What we have lost in congressman"
he said, 1--WE have more than made up
In votes. The reports generally pub
llshed would lead people to suppose
that we had suffered Il material loss
in all respects in Kansas. Such is not
the case. In 1890 we had about 105,-
900 votes In that state, in 1892 about
10000 and in the late election from
100000 to 125,0O0, in the face of the
fact that about 10000 of our voters
had left the state on account of the
drouth. We failed in the election of
officers because we We're not paired
with the Democrats but we have
every reason to feel encouraged
have every reason to feel encouraged
for the future. In the country at large
1 feel confident that when the returns
are footed up they will show our total
vote to be little less than 2,0000O0.
which is about twice the Populist vote
of two years a.,o."
The senator declined to discuss the
question of the probable organization
of the senate after the fourth of March
by the Republicans. with the aid Of
such Populists like himself. who had
affiliated with the Republican party be
fore they became Populists. further
tlfan to say the time was too far dis
tant to speculate upon. and in Il gcncr-
al way to remark that If the time
should come when the Populists should
l,.,I. ,,, 1,.,
ate, he had no doubt 'they would eX-
ercise that power continuously and
wisely"
Senator Stewart of Nevada was less
guarded than Senator PETER in speak
ing of the assumption that certain of
the PoDulist senator's would aiJ the
Republicans in the organization of the
senate. He says emphatcally that so
far as he is concerned he will enter
into coalition with either of thu old
parties to secure organization.
~ don't care" he said. (which of
the old parties controls the machinery
of the senate. There is no advantage
to us to be Joined by Il combination
with either the Republicans or tile
Cleveland Democrats. We do not care
for the few paltry offices there are to
be bestowed. and could not afford to
sacrifice our Independent interests as
n party for them. SO far us am con
cerned personally, | 10 not care wheth-
er they put me on any committee or
what they do with me. MS long as
am entitled to my seat in the senate
can get into the chamber. In fact
can raise more hi when entirely free
from such obligations than when bound
by them"
The senator says he thinks the Pop
ulists will be able to exercise n more
potent influence by keeping entirely
nloof from entering into entangling al
Hances with either of the old parties,
and 1t Is his opinion that this is the
policy which will be pursued by the
Third party in the senate, and that he
will advise that this policy be pursued.
He thinks there is no doubt that when
the test comes. Senator Jones will bn
found acting in full harmony with the
POpuliSt senators, and that if Cover
nor Tillman should be chosen to sue
coed Senator Butler. he will also be
found in the Populist column, as will
also the two senators to be chosen
from North Carolina. This would give
the Populists eight senators as against
forty-two Republicans and forty-cghi
Democrats after the fourth of March.
"The only ground" said he in CON
cluslon, ION which / should be willing
to unite with the Republicans would be
on platform pledSing that party TO
II free silver policy. l do not want
any halfway measure. such as the
coinage of the American product, as l
should know that whatever was prom
ised would be nothing but Il trap. |
do not propose to be caught with any
thing less than Il compliance with our
complete demands"