Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1896-08-06
A POLITICAL POLL.
President Peavey Explains the
Object of His Political
Circular.
Full and Free Investigation
Of Financial Question
His Desire.

Of Financial Question
His Desire.
Frank b. Peavey, president of the
Peavey (Monsrch) elevator system,
passed through the city today in .
special train on tour Of inspection OF
the oompany's property on the lines OF
the Northern Pacific. He has been to
Pembins and the length of the Red
River valley south to Fargo. A visit in
cidentslly was made to the experimental
Farm ut Lisbon and this city reached at
1:3O p. %.
''Orops along the Manitoba division of
the Northern Pacific are poor" said
President Peavey to The Alert. "The
prospect 10 for fully IS or 40 percent less
than last years crop. We figure that all
along the Fargo & Southwestern. and
Valley branches the wheat yield will be
az much as last year. I interview each
of my agents, my managers interview
others and between us We arrive at 9
very fair summary Of crop conditions.
There is good deal more aax-25 or
more per cent-in this territory than
last year. OF course, there is little or
nothing about Grand Forks and that
and burned out :"
In regard 10 the political circular,
which Mr.. Peavey issued recently to all
bis employees, he said:
II have no hesitancy whatever in
stating the object of that letter. There
ls bond of sympathy between myself
and my 400 or 500 employees. Their
interest Is mine. The financial question
before the people this year 10 OF i'm
mensely greater Importance than the
maintenance Of party lines, the tarlf or
any other question. It is matter OF
business and OF greater significance as
compared with business prosperity than
the fate of any political party. That
circular, which was not intended to be
made public, was sent out with the
object OF securing an index of the feel
ing in the country in which We do busl-
ness 60 as TO gage me in the conduct Of
my business this fall. II the sentiment
is toward silver then I wOuld run the
business on one basis-if for tho single
atandsrd then On another basis. I had
no desire to coerce or IN any way un-
duly influence any employe on this
question. I offered to furnish them any
literature / could procure, on either side
Of the question. It's . campaign of
education and wanted ell to decide in
what 10 for their own interest
and the country's at large. I've had
numerous calls for Towne's and Nc
Oleary's speeches. am for gold
but that will not
bias me in my earnest desire that every
employe has facilities to study both
sides and be able to vote intelligently on
this extremely important matter.
The circular referred to in the forego-
ing was addressed to his employees and
issued by Mr.. Peavey July Is. He,
therein, offers to furnish "any particular
speeches, or other literature, on either
side of this financial question that you or
vour friends would like to get" and ssys
whstever aid to the study he can render
will be gladly gwen. he then asks for
candid and frank replies to the follow
ing questions:
Are you republican, democrat, pop
,,);at or independept?
Do you intend to vote for gold or
silver candidate for president? For con-
oressmauS For governor? Give your
reasons briefly for your decision In each
of theee cases; also please state what
benetits or advantages you expect would
accrue to your own interests and those
of the country in case the ticket repre-
santinp your views on the money ques-
tior should be elected.
What, in your opinion,is the leaning OF
the majority of the voters IN your town
toward silver or gold; and how will their
nolitical action this fall compare with
nreyious years? Is there much agita-
ton of the money question in the com
munity? Is the feeling pronounced or
is it Indifferent?
What is the feeling among the farm
erS 10 your Vicinity on tDis question oL
money, and what in your opinion, will
be their majority vote-for silver or
gold? What do you think will be their
nolitical action this fall as compared
with previous years?
If you have any assistants in your
office please give me their names, with
answers to questions fret and second in
reference to them.
THIS circular has been commented
upon freely. Surprise has been ex
pressed that such an unusual move IN
politics should be made in 80 prom
iuent quarter 70 ascertain the political
belief OF employees. 1t was deemed i'm
pertinent by some, others considered 1T
a hint to get in line with the "old mans"
views. Agent Holmes, OF the local ele-
vator. received bis letter this morning
and, while surprised, will treat it In the
manner in which it is sent-to supply
him with literature, leaving him to vote
and act as he please and will freely
accept Mr.. Peavey's offer; he is open to
conviction.