The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-21
LINES ARE MAINTAINED
Say "Amen," However, to Every
Movement Toward I'M
proVement.
THEIR POSITION rs PECULIAR
In Short, Members VIII Not Follow
the Leaders of Other
Parties.

TOPEKA, KANs., June 20. = Senator
PETER has no idea that the Populists will
be absorbed by the proposed new silver
party. He believes that the Peoples
party, as organized now, will contine its
existence through the financial disturb
| ances in the political world, and that ii
will furnish haven of rest for the advo-
Gates of the free coinage of silver after the
old political organizations have been
broken up, as he is confident they will be
in the near future. When asked to-day by
the CALL correspondent for his views on
the condition of the party and its future
prospects, he said, with great deliberation:
1.-The position OF the Populist party with
respect to other political organizations is
at this time peculiar. The leading ques-
ton to-day in politics is the coinage of
silver. The Republican party, and the
Democratic party as well. has taken a posi-
ton on that subject which is all things to
all men and nothing definite to anybody.
Hence it is that large numbers of their
membership are dissatisfied and are striv-
ing within their respective organizations
to procure an official expression favorable
to silver. While waiting for the result of
that effort more impetuous men have I'M
dertaken to organize a new and distinct
party based upon the silver question alone.
THE Populists having made an en-
phatic party declaration on the silver
question. and free coinage having been
part of the political creed of the voters
who first formed the party, and it being
one of our tenets now, all that we can do
with respect TO the silver movement,
whether in the other parties or in the
proposed new party, is to encourage it.
Our party is made up of broad minded,
liberal men, and we say amen to ever y
movement looking toward an improvement
in general conditions.
I'VE regard this silver movement with
very great interest. because it is in the way
and must be disposed of; vet it would be
folly for US to go into another party to
advocate our doctrines. Hence, unless
and until the free silver men in other
parties are willing to do as we have done
abandon their old organizations and are
ready to enter new one, similar to ours
we shall maintain our party lines intact
1--WE believe that in order to accomplish
necessary reforms and especially monetary
reforms, the people who'll toll must vote
tOSStiiCi, Dut we CdllllOt 10 IldC anu Hollow
the leadership of men and parties that are
opposed to us. The two great parties are
at present Differed and managed on a gold
monometallic money basis, and there is no
reason to expect that they will change
their policy in this respect. The great in
terests which they serve will not permit it.
1t is for that reason that it is necessary for
the Populist party to maintain its align
ment so that when the other parties break
on the money question, as they will surely
do, the silver people will have common
rallying point. Then it will be time for
all the dissatisfied elements leaving be-
hind the party preiudices to confer as citi-
zens and patriots concerning what is best
to be done. The Populist is ready to meet
his brother, Republican and Democrat and
Prohibitionist, on common grounds at any
time. but if they are not willing to meet
him he will fight his battles alone"