The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-08-19
ST. PhUL COLUMN,
Edited by J. g. HANLEY.s

.
Considerable interest is being mani
fosted by the adherents of the PeO-
pies Party as to what policy it should
pursue In the coming state and coun-
policy Of the .smiddle-of- the-road" Is
most earnestly espoused by the radic-
al element, while "fusion" is as earn.
estly espoused by its supporters. A
lively contest on those lines is antici.
pated at the primaries this week. We
hope whichever way it will 60 that all
true POpulists will be found working
together to elect whatever ticket the
majority may select. We earnestly
hope that we will have no "bolters'' in
our ranks this time.
The Populists this time have an adj
vantage over the two old parties in as
much as their county convention is
called to meet before either of the
Republican or Democratic county con-
ventions. 1t will remain to be seen
whether we will take advantage Of
our position and secure for our party
our just share Of the county and legis-
lative Offices. There are two plans
talked of, In the event that "fusioh"
should win at the primary, one is to
make no nominations at this time,
and adjourn our county convention to
meet the same day as our Democratic
and Republican allies will meet and
appoint committee of conference,
who would select and treat with each
other on a fair division OF Offices as
signed to each party.
Another plan talked Of was to have
the P0pulists go ahead and nominate
four or five of the prominent county
offices half of the county commission
ers, and Legislature. then adjourn, or
take a recess until after the other
convention meets, and II a disposition
to treat the work the Populists plain
ly by placing our nominees on their
ticket we can convene and place their
nominees on our ticket and thus COM
plete the "fusion'' idea. In the event
Of the selection of mo fusion" dele
gates at the primaries full ticket,
state, county and legislative will be
demanded or put in the field.
The Offices which the Populists
seem to favor most Of the large cOun-
ty offices are sheriff, Judge of the dis
trict court, coroner and county sur
veyor as their share of the county Of
fees, also one-half of the county COM
missioners and one-half of legisla-
tive.
The basis for this division is based
on the fact that the Populists polled
1859 votes for governor while the
Democrats polled G, 139 for their can
didate for governor in this county
two years ago. 1t is also proposed
that the silver Republicans get repre-
sentation on the county ticket.
Tho cnnnfv Ronnhlicanc arc 60 ar.
rogant and aggressive that all
thought of compromise is out of
question. They hold nearly all the Of
fees now and are so greedy that they
have numerous candidates for every
position in the county. II compro-
misses are made at all, it must be be.
tween the Democrats and POpulists.
II the same spirit of respect and har-
mony prevail which characterized the
action of the representatives of the
Democratic state convention and tho
Populist and Silver Republicans had
for each other, nothing but the best
of results will obtain.
We would most respectfully urge
upon our Populist friends to use great
care and caution at this particular
time to avoid offending our silver al
4lCS Wy OV1uk UOO OAVA VokduU AL W.
handing more than our share of
recognition on the county ticket. In
case a conference committee should
be appointed great care should be ex-
ercised in their selection, that men Of
good sense, even temper. steadfast to
our principles, men who can adjust
themselves to the conditions that may
arise. who will not ask too much nor
take too little. A great crisis is now
at hand and IL wisdom, good sense,
spirit of fairness and firmness prevail
in the councils of our convention. a
great stride in advance will be made,
and place our party in at least one
half the Offices, and be prepared in
two years hence to labor for the other
half.
The Populist primaries will occur on
Friday evening this week between the
hours of 7 and o'clock.
I'M. ~ al Co1on<nA