The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-12-11
SECONDS PROBSTFIELD'S MOTION
A VALUABLE LETTER FOR DR.
JOHNSON.

Editor Representative:
In fighting political battel, we should
thoroughly understand the factors that
we nave to contend against. We should
know and understand the position and
forces Of our opponents l notice that
many jealous and honest Populists do
not seem to understand the real difficult
les that lie before US.
In this political struggle for votes to
carry the victory the principles of re-
form we meet in the minds of men self
interest, party prejudices and ignorance
HOW many reformerS comprehend how
vast is the army of the self-interested
class for the present condition? Think
for moment! Take the state Of Min
neSOta Tor instance. thirteen millions of
dollars collected annually in taxes, and
most OF this goes to some office holder
ana the rest to some interested matival-
man. Think of all these office holders
from governor down to county coroner
then think of all their relatives and
friends and you will begin to realize what
a large percentage this makes of the pop
ulatOn. Next consider the corpora tons
operating under the shadow of the party
In power. There is the banking fratern-
1ty solldly for existing conditions. Next
the railroads with their thousands of vot-
ers. marching to the polls to vote for
Things as they are. Last but not least is
the liquor interest controlling also thous-
ands Of votes Try to figure out if you can
the percentage of the population control
ed by these four classes: the Office-hOd-
ers. the banking interest. the railroads
and the liquor power. a very large per
centage to be sure.
Second party prejudices. There are any
number of men that will vote their old
party ticket just because it has become
habit to them to do so. Many of such are
absorbed in their business to such an ex-
tent that they seem unable to reason
about political questions. Generally they
are men of small minds, but their votes
count just the same. There is a vast
army of them
Third. The ignorant or care-nOthng
class. Look around you and notice how
many shiftless or careless persons you
find in any community. They have no am
biton in life. If they earn a dollar they
spend 1T for drink or other fOOliShnesS.
To them it matters not whether the coun-
try floats or sinks. A drink or cigar.
or other little insignificant motive will
draw their vote in any direction for all
they care. And the party in power with
plenty of money, and perfect election
machinery carries his vote any time
Now, dare say that these CLASSES con-
stitute very nearly if not quite a major
ity Of voters. And l say furthermore
that with no split in the ranks of the
dominant party, reform party has no
show in a large state. Let us face the
truth at it is, no matter how disagree
able. And it is really wonder that the
People party has polled the votes that it
has. Our strength lies with the great
middle class, the Intelligent farmer and
the sturdy and intelligent laborer. And
it is certain that we have already large
majority of them on our side, otherwise
we could not have the vote we have. But
l still doubt whether this intelligent mid
die cless is numerous enough to carry the
day.
/ doubt very much whether we can
carry to victory our cause by straight
fight for principle no matter how just
our idea may be.
Abraham Lincoln was elected by virtue
of a split in the Democratic party SO
reform administration now can only sue
coed by virtue of a split in one or both
Of the old parties.
But now the old parties are all torn up
on one question, the money question.
Here is, in my opinion the golden oppOr-
tunity of the Peoples Party to step in
and make this tear permanent split in
the old parties. Let the Peoples Party
drop for the time being, any thing except
the money question. Let it invite free
silver Republicans and Democrats on this
issue alone, and they will come Now is
the time to do this. A few months hence
it may be too late. The old parties when
they see that they must face the money
issue will adopt any kind of a platform
to keep the rank and file in. The old gang
will be put up for office, and nothing will
be done after they are elected, no matter
what kind of a, platform they are elected
on.
The main thing is to get independent
men into our legislative halls, men that
are not bound hand and foot to the old
political machine, let their former polit
ical utilization have been what they may.
Remember. that we must have recruits
from the old parties some way. Also re-
member that any reform measure to be
successful must have a majority of votes
behind it. and must not be more radical
than to be able to enlist a majority sup
port.
Free coinage of silver and government
issue of paper currency is such a measure
as will command a majority Of the votes
of the country.
Hence I second Probstfield's view that
this simple principle should at once be
announced as the fighting issue of the
Peoples Party for the coming campaign.
DIR. CHRISTIAN JOHNSON,