The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-11-22
POPULIST EVOLUTION OR DEVOLU-
TON

The evolution Of Populistic politics
goes bravely forward. The basis for
the Populist party was in the Farmers
Alliance, which had its being out OF an
agrarian movement for which there was
some reason. For years there had Deem
complaints that in the increase OF
wealth in the country the farmers were
not getting their proper share. Isolated
and unOrganized the farmers interest
was being sacrificed, his products fall
ing in price, transportation companies
were making unreasonable charges for
shipment of his produce and to remedy
these and other evils the Alliance was
formed. 1t was to be educational, to
advance the social position Of the far
mer and relieve the solitude or farm
life. 1t was to encourage better farm
ing, improvement in stock-raising, IN al
agricultural productions. The purpose
OF the Alliance was not Objectionable,
but in the main commendable. In poll
tical matters the Alliance was to be in
reality non-partisan, aim to see the best
men in official positions and reform and
reduce taxation.
But the Alliance in Kansas went into
politics. In 1890 ii named Willis for
governor and Rightnire for chief jus
tice, elected Otis, Glover, Davis and
Simpson to congress. Carried the leg
islature and elected PETER to the United
States senate. Two years later, with the
aid Of the Democrats, Leweliing was
elected governor, but the work of evolu-
ton had begun. Willis was dropped
and so was many other farmers and
farmers friends. Two years more and
Lewelling was defeated and the work
of elimination went merrily on. And
now in this year the fusion forces have
won and what is the spectacle? OF the
six Populist congressman elected all are
new men except Jerry Simpson. OF the
state officers the Lewelling administra-
ton has no representative. dwellings
hopes to be United States senator have
been blasted: PETER has been notified
to keep out of the senatorial race to
save himself the humiliation of defeat.
Where are the Populist leaders of 1890?
what are the issues of the POpulists in
Kansas this year?
Lewelling, save his mistakes in refer
ence to the Dunsmore legislature, was
not so bad a governor as his Populist
enemies would have the state believe.
In fact, when consideration is made for
the condition that confronted LEVEL
ing, owing his election to conglomera-
ton of leaders, whose ability and integ-
rity were unknown qualities, his admin
istration and appointments were as
good as any average man might have
given the state. The abuse Of LEVEL
ing by Populists serves only to Illus
trate the tendency in this party to elimi-
nate all persons of influence whose
views and purposes do moi accord with
the Briedenthal cabal. To abuse Lew
Cling and praise Leedy, to condemn
PETER and to elevate to the senate any
man mentioned in this connection are
conditions explainable only from the
standpoint of ringsters and bossism.
Who is this man Briedenthal that Popu
lists have the cold assurance to say he
can be United States senator from Kan
sas if he will only say he wants it:
Tie Populist party is now in complete
control Of an Office-seeking set whose
ability is of low order. 1t is led by
leaders whom no one would have the
nardihood to accuse Of having many
predominating intellectual qualitica
ton. As the elimination goes on the
aim is TO get subservience to the clique
rather than usefulness to the state. Both
in men and measures we have the spec
tscle Of the evolution Of the Populist
party, into political office-getting par
ty based upon no certain program or
issue, following no leader and finding
it's leadership almost wholly outside the
farming class. which it ostensibly set
out to serve.