The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-08-02
THE WAY IT WAS DONE.

Some Inside History OF the way "Reform
within the Party" Was Worked by
Georgia Democrats.
The following letter. written by
Hon. Hoke Smith, proprietor of the
Evening Journal and secretary of the
interior, explains itself 1t is taken
from the files of Smiths own paper.
AS will be seen the letter was written
on the 15h of September, 1890:
ATLANTA, Ga, Sept. Is, 1890.
Hon. W. L. Peck.
Ny Dear Sir-In the Atlanta Consti-
tuition of yesterday you are credited
with having used in your Convers
speech the following language:
Some of Gen. Gordon's friends. Mr..
Hoke Smith and others, went to Col.
Livingston and other alliancemen,
saying to them that Gov. Gordon
would support the sub-treasury bill if
certain conditions were agreed to.
"Col. Livingston answered promptly
that he was sure that the alliance
would agree to these conditions, know
ing that the alliancemen deplored more
FAINT opposition. Col Livingston
vouched for the alliance agreeing to
the terms proposed.
of Gen. Gordon pledged themselves
that he would accept the agreement"
This statement, SO far as it relates
to myself, is at variance with the
facts, and 1 can best correct it by
it is applicable.
I wished to talk with Col. Living.
ston about the Importance of perfect
h1 in
and he called at my request. 1 began
by urging the necessity of preventing
antagonisms from growing up among
democrats.
1 called his attention to the rumor
that the alliance nominee for congress
would not abide by the action of the
democratic caucus in Washington,
and to the Importance of it's immedi-
ate contradiction. Col. Livingston ex-
pressed no doubt about the fact that
alliancemen from Georgia would act
in Washington with the democratic
organization, and our conversation
then changed to the sub-treasury.
l urged that it was unwise for alli-
ancemen to make an Endorsement of
this measure a prerequisite to their
support of democrats for office. 1
called his attention to the fact that
there were many democrats inside and
outside the alliance who were heartily
in favor of relief from the present f.
nancial system, and who were thor
oughly in accord with the effort to in
crease the circulating medium, but
who could not approve the sub-treasury
bill. If the sub-treasury men fought
this branch of money reform advo-
Gates, the latter would, in self-defense,
be forced into fight against the sub
treasury men, and thus those voters
who were natural allies would be di-
vided so that nothing could be accom-
plished. 1 stated to Col. Livingston
that there were many like myself who
could not say that they were for the
sub-treasury bill or something better
for this indicated that it was possible
for them to support the sub-treasury
bill as it stood. 1 urged that many be-
lieved that the provision of the bill
(which required products to be sold by
the government, and the money re-
ceived for the same Cancelled at the end
of twelve months unless redemption
had earlier taken place at the instance
of the depositors. necessitated a yearly
in no sense upon the needs of the pub
lie for money, and that l considered
this forced yearly contraction even
more injurious to the masses than the
present system.
mentioned a number of measures
of proposed reform around which all
might gather, and out of them obtain
the very best plan for the relief of the
hot
1. Currency, with non-perishable ag-
ricultural products as basis, the issue
to be limited to only part of the crop,
but not to be called in at the end of
twelve months. On the contrary, to
remain in circulation until second
crop is harvested, and until portion
of the second crop may be substituted
for the first, thereby making it posi-
BILE to keep the money in constant cir
culation, and to prevent a yearly
forced contraction.
.. The free coinage of silver.
3. The issue of treasury notes by
which the government bonds might be
redeemed, and instead of the interest
bearing bonds legal tender currency
substituted.
4. A graduated income tax, by which
the large fortunes accumulated in the
hands of the few might be made to bear
their portion of the expense of govern
ment.
5. A reduction of the tariff generally
and especially on the necessaries of
life.
l also stated that contemplated
writing an editorial on this line. Col.
Livingston expressed himself very ia
vorable to the proposed editorial, and
stated his purpose to approve it in the
Southern Alliance Farmer. He also
said that if Gen. Gordon was upon this
line, all fight against him inside of the
alliance would stop l replied that
had no doubt Gen. Gordon was upon
the line suggested.
This was the substance Of the con-
versation. There was no argument or
attempted agreement between us as to
the senatorial question. l, in no sense,
represented Gen. Gordon in the confer
ence, and 1 certainly did not under
take to pledge Gen. Gordon upon the
subject did not even repeat the con-
versation to him, although then be-
lived, and now believe, that the con-
struction which l placed upon Cen
Gordon's p osition was correct.
write thus fully to you on account
O