The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-02-01
Strange Bed-FellOws.

If there is any one thing that our Popu-
lite friends have professed more than
another, it is that they will keep in the
middle of the road" and severely refrain
from giving countenance, aid or encour-
agement to either of the old political par
ties. They have held all along that their
principles" demanded that they should
form no entangling alliances. Lo, and
behold violent and sudden change has
come over the spirit of their dreams, and
what do we see?
At the meeting of their executive COM
mittee at Alexandria last week, we are
furnished the refreshing sight OF little
coterie of dozen bosses entering into a
trade and bargain with the National or
silly white" Republicans, to turn the
State government of Louisiana over to
them if they will only furnish the money
and other 'inflooence" to whip the regu-
lar black Republicans into line. For, be
it known, there are two very distinct and
opposing factions among the Republicans
in this State, and the "Iilly whites" are
the least numerous, but very powerful SO
far as money goes. They are the sugar
teat" fellows, that have deserted the Dem
ocratlc party with the avowed intention
Of securing a bounty, a tariff, or some
other protection" for their sugar indus
try. Everybody knows that there is no
principle" at stake with these fellows.
They are in it for the loaves and fishes.
1t becomes matter of special moment
just to see what the rank and file of the
Populists will do about this combine
which is virtually foisted upon them by
an irresponsible committee, which had
no such powers delegated to them by the
party they protested TO represent.
If the Populist people have had any
we'll defined motto or rule Of action, it GER
tainly has been equal rights to all,
special fayors to none." And now, we be-
hold them yoked hard and fast with the
Republican fungus Of silly whites" and
proposing to sell out the whole State to
them-for what? In order that the spe-
cial (dvor and protection of the gorern-
ment may be extended orer the icedlth-
lest and most pdmpered industry in the
whole rorld.
Will this benefit the Populists, as peo-
pie or as party? Nay, verify; it will
impose tax aud burden upon them,
and weaken the party by placing the gov
ernmental power in the hands of the OPP
position.
Look at the ticket proposed: For gov
ernor, j. N. Pharr. Republican, of St.
Mary; for lieutenant governor, J. b.
Klienpeter, Populist) of East Baton
Rouge; for secretary of State, j. w. Nc
Farland Populist) of Claiborne; for at
torney general, L. F. Suthon, Republi-
CAM of Terrebone; for treasurer, John
Picket (Populistj of Bossier; for auditor,
H. p. Kernochan, (Republican) of Plaque
mine; for Superintendent of public edu-
cation, d. A. McOook, of st Landry.
This is the combination the Populist
committee has named as the bastard
child of the unholy alliance that they
propose for their constituency to indorse
and support.
There is not single bond of sympathy
to tie these two discordant elements to-
gether. The Populists pretend to oppose
the suffrage amendment, but it is sham
and fraud. They have repeatedly ex-
pressed their intention and desire to ig-
more the negroes in this district both in
determining nominations for Office, and
in the final result at the ballot box.
They have claimed all along that they
have a majority in the hills, but that the
Democrats beat them with the negro
votes in the bottoms. 1t is a notorious
fact that they will be glad to be rid OF the
colored vote. and it is safe to say that the
hill Populists will vote that way, what
ever pretenses may be made to the con-
trary, for the sake of misleading and fool
ing the negroes.
Another inconsistent feature of the
thing is this: The Populists, both State
and National, have repeatedly declared
their preference for the Democratic party
over the Republican-here in Louisiana
because it was white mans party, and
they preferred white supremacy; and in