The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-10-09
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
L. C. LONG REPORTS.

HE TELLS A TERRIBLE STORY OF
POVERTY AND HELPLESSNESS
AMONG THE PEOPLE-WHAT THE
LEAGUE HAS DONE-WHAT THE FU-
TURE WILL BE.
Editor Representative:
In last weeks Progressive Age, Capt.
A. H. Nelson has an article in regard to
organizing the Peoples Party State
League, and I agree with him in the
main, but in regard to his personal allu-
sion TO myself I wish to take exception.
He says if the members of the committed
and state organizer will not work, let
them step out and some one take their
place that will work.
Now it is true there has been no start
ling head lines in the newspapers, in re-
gard to the mighty colossal work of your
state organizer, so, apoligizing for what,
under ordinary circumstances might
seem egotistical, I will give you a brief
summing up of my work. First | would
say, that when | was elected state organ
izer Of the Alliance, and also of the Peo-
pies Party, the delegates, and the COM
nittee Of thirty-hve promised to see to
advertising and that my expenses were
paid. This they have never done On
the contrary l have helped pay the ex-
penSes of the committee.
But have not been idle In the cold
est winter weather Fl. V. Poore and my
self held thirty-fve meetings in the Third
Congressional district. With G. H. john
son. of Pipestone, l held fourteen meet
ings, when for one week the thermom-
eter ranged from 20 to SO degrees below
zero. This summer l have put in eight
weeks with H. V. Poore My expenses
have been about SIS. This | contrib
uted to the secretary OF the committee Of
the immortal and indefatigible thirty
five The secretary, l know, will appre-
ciate this, as it will enable him to start 4
book account which will look like bust
ness. Barley sold for nine cents per
bushel, and wheat at thrty-eight, the
past week. and | have a fair crop, so
feel like being liberal. 1t is true we or
ganized no leagues, as we did not find a
farmer who had the necessary five cents
with which to pay his dues But this
fall they will have piles of money, and I
invite some of the city reformers to make
a fortyfive days campaign, travelling
fourteen hundred miles by team, as
have done; then they can appreciate the
spirit of the men of the John Brown
mould who give their time, their fortune,
and their lives, to free men who prefer
slavery, and like a whipped dog licks the
hand that smites them
Do you want to know something of the
feeling among Shylock's serfs who see
their homes slipping from them; grain so
low in price they cannot pay their inter-
est, let alone the principal? Well, Bro.
Poor and l met one poor old white haired
man who said: 81 was with you for
years, but it is no use to try. l am going
to class meeting tonight. l shall try for
home in the great beyond"
Another said: 30, the Peoples Party
League be ID; get some Winchesters,
raise an army, and 1 will go with you to
Washington to kill the id traitors,
but you may vote till HI freezes over
and you will accomplish nothing"
So I find it everywhere If you want
to know how much life there is in that
Peoples Party State League committee of
thirty five, or in the Peoples Party itself,
just lay your hand on the heart place of
an Egyptian mummy, and listen for the
life beats of all the centuries that have
passed since the children of Israel were
liberated from bondage, and you have it,
But it is only the hull before the storm !;
the forerunner of the reign of terror; the
prelude to the mighty conflict which is
to decide whether Caesars column is to
be built, or whether civilization is to be
more firmly established on the everlast-
ing principles of justice and righteous
ness. L. c.. LONG.
Magnolia, MINI.