The San Francisco call., 1896-07-31
The Vital Issues of the Party
Mr.. Bryan Refuses to
Discuss.
THE TIGER WILL BE SICK.
A Call to the Party to Stand by
Watson and Save the .Popu-
list Cause.

There is a large majority in the Populist
party of California which is disguised with
the action of the st. Louis convention and
which is not disposed to let the party be
wholly d1gested and assimilated by the
Democratic tiger.
They. will stand by Watson for Vice
President at least, as this is all that is left
to them. Most of the party leaders take
this stand. One of them lis r. E. Bush,
secretary of the Populist State Central
Committee, who expresses his attitude in
the following manner:
Ii Watson, then Bryan Let events come.
If Sewau should insist, and If Bryan should
continue to demand Sewalrs Endorsement, we,
the Populists, may yet have straight ticket.
Who knows but that the voters of this Nation
may, even elect and seat Populist President
to succeed G (old) Cleveland?
The Great American Nation in the first GEN.
tury of its existence spoke four times; and
then spoke only in the thunder tones of war.
No, and in fact the votes OF 1892 and 1894 are
merely the unsteady efforts of an aroused
people endeavoring TO determine public poll
cies by displactng political administrations.
And the action of our National Convention in
naming Watson is an indication of more di-
rect control in the future by the people of
public policies through the initiative and
referendum.
There are those who prefer straight ticket,
and for this reason straight ticket was in
our opinion the best preparation for an endur-
ing public approval of the political demands
mentioned in our Omaha platform of 1896.
But our time straight-Qut Texans had not
come on July %. Our time is now come
fellow-Populists.
The fight is now on between greedy selfish
ness and human life. As individuals you and
? were lost in the great mass of citizens who
awaited the decision of that last convention
But our party grows. Our duty is upon US a
burden responsibility greater than that
thrown at US by the Democrats of Chicago.
Remember you not their cry in public Here,
indorse our man, or you Populists by your re-
fusal do endanger the cause of silver?" Now
we Populists say with the Southern delegates,
Vote for Watson, or you Democrats by refus-
ing are endangering the cause of American
liberty" Who now says that Populists alone
are responsible for the election Or defeat of
Mckinley? Are we in majority? Were We
ever responsible alone?
A political party, unless IL is dead, is ahead
of It's platform. A candidate is usually nm To
his party and always should be abreast Of hi S
platform. Mr.. Bryan is reported to have said
that he will not discuss some of the issues in
the Peoples party platform of 1896. What are
these issues2
If1tis true that the Democratic tiger has
swallowed Populist silver ideas will not the
tiger be torn to pieces when the silver fulnin-
ate explodes by the idea of Government own
ership and operation OF public utilities
OF course, Populists know that persons and
gain and that taxes cannot be levied for pri-
vate purposes directly. You know that public
corporations, like towns and school districts,
do collect taxes and do make a private profit
for their citizens. The large number OF cor
porations that are in polit1cs are of another
sort. They are quasi-public corporations,
These not only make profits. but they do SO by
means of the backing they have from the Gov
ernment, which other citizens and other cor
porations do not have.
private citizen cannot coin money OF con-
denim and take private property for his use.
If the Federal tax of 10 per cent per annum on
the issues OF State banks were removed by Con-
gress-as desired by many Democrats in
1894-95-numerous State banks would issue
bank currency, as they did before 1885, Ma
tionsl banks to-day issue such currency and
because OF the scarcity of money issued by the
General Government, this currency is and
would be used b. the people in their daily
trade. Mr.. Bryan stands on his platform in
opposition to this bank money; but the Bank
ers' Association for years has been clamoring
for the complete control OF the issuance OF
money by the banks instead of the Govern
ment. The bankers point to the Clearing
house statistics to show that 90 per cent of the
business of the country is now done by bank
discounts and bills OF exchange, etc., ana argue
that the banks should be given full control OF
the issuance of the money. In a negative wav
the banks, through the scarcity of money and
their endeavor to keep it scarce, are using the
power TO coin money for tn gain of their stock
holders. Therefore the discount charged by
the bank is virtually q tax for private purposes
The Issuance OF National money is one of
the most i'm portant of public utilities. Taxes
are paid in money. There must be a sufficient
amount OF money provided by the Government
tor Ine use OF 1ts CITIZENS IN business whereby
the citizen may labor without hindrance or
discount and from the results of his labor nav
his tax. See section of the Populist plank
on finance. Will Mr.. Bryan discuss this ques-
ton?
But the greater number of quasi-public cor
porations are engaged in providing the public
with gas, water, electricity, fares, freights
and kilograms and phones All of these cor
porations are run for gain and all depend upon
their power to condemn their right of way
and their privilege of fixing their rates so as
to earn good dividend. These corporations
are in politics to protect their special priyi-
leges. As Benton said of the National bank of
his time, You cannot bell that cat" And
like that old bank these corporations by yari-
Gus means escape taxation. Can these modern
corporations be controlled al all except by
ownership and operation by either CITY, county,
State or Nation? VIII Mr.. Bryan discuss this
issue? His very refusal TO discuss the ques-
ton OF taxation for private gain will lead TO a
full discussion thereof.
Populists know that f'the power to tax is the
power to Destroy, and the most hideous tax
is all Indirect tax. Populists know that the
Government can control only what il owns
not what owns it. Therefore be We ready for
straight campaign on basic principles If
Watson, then Bryan.
Our Popnlist Viee-President is not a nonen-
tty. Watson stands for Populism and Pom
ulism stands for the l., ,O63 AZ 2 families in the
United States whose yearly incomes are under
$4,000 (see Arena. page 660, March, ISo6l
Watson announces that he will not withdraw
Says he:
''If Mr.. Bryan land the Democracy, did not
want our support Senator Jones had no busi-
ness al st. Louis If the Democrats land Mr.
SewallJ are so unreasonable as to refuse us
Populists OF the South (and elsewhere) any
recognition at all, tnat fact would show that
the real purpose of the apparent adoption of
our principles is to kill our party and not to
enact those principles into the law"
July 20, 1896 R. E. BUSH.