The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-11-15
Weakness of the Pops.

One Of the surprises Of last
Tuesdays election has been the al
most complete disappearance OF
the Populists party That party
being based so largely on hard
times and deprecated prices, and
being composed mainly ofcalamity
howlers, It was natural to expect
that it would very materially in
crease its votes with business still
more or less uncertain.
The Democratic losses ale large
ly attributable to the hard times;
and it was expected that these los
ses would result to the benefit of
the Popuhsts. 1t was natural to-
suppose that q dissatisfied voter
who believes that the Democratic
party which he has hitherto sup
ported IS responsible for the pres
ent depression, and who wishes to
give 1t y warning, would vote the
Populist instead Of the Republican
ticket; especially as the platform
Of the popuhsts promises to restore
better times. When it came to the
{ voting, however, these eXplana-
tons were doomed to disappoint-
ment. The Republicans received
all wandering votes; and the Pop
E ulists have not only gained nothing
D from the depression but they seem
S to have actually lost votes. In
y Mississippi, they are decidedly
weaker than they We're a year ago,
e and this result is not attributed tc
S the improvement in the price O.
i cotton, but rather to the disintegra
). ton and inherent weakness of the
n new party. 1t shows signs OF early
l. dissolution in number OF th'
e States. In Indiana, for instance
n where, at one time, the party wa
strong, it will dlsband at once
n The leaders have decided tina
a there is no future for Populism i
le Indiana, and that it is mere vast
ii OF time, money and energy tor ther
A. to carry on the campaign there
ID The secretary Of the State centr;
committee has resigned, and tn
II. other members promise to folio
ne his example. The Indiana Popl
rs Lists declare that there IS a probt
as bility that the Populists nations
th committee will also give up II
to fight. This story is doubtful, an
he is probably presented to excu'
Id their own action; but even if Il
as national committee holds on, it
or evident that the Populist patty
not as strong as it was a year ag
;v- and is in the decline; and it mu
I'll .be recognized by all that il Il
Ia party grows weaker in the prese
" condition of affairs, which ought
ia he favorable toits growth and
X. help it politically, it will have
he verl poor outlook in times ofprc
he Tue explanation of the failure
me the lPoputists to increase their VIC
hle seems to be that the American c
,ed Iizen does not like what the poll
,se clans call firing "blank-cartrld
lair votes" He does not want to thr'
the his vote away, and if he wall r
tho cast il for the Democratic tick
ne he prefers to vote the Repuplic
of ticket instead. Moreover,
of changes and reforms which n I
in Populists promise, are not suii'cie
aid tlv attractiye to the discomfort
the voter. and do not strike him
lim practicable. 1t can be preoic'
with thu greatest certainty, ir'
the ,he result of last Tuesdays ell
ng, t;ons. that no matter what the
me l;tical situation may be next ye
be the Populists will poll small
De vote than in lSo2.--Times Den
led crat.
emf