Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-08-19

uioCi'CO 10 OHc III WHICH tner0 Is more
than usual interest. It is the third
time Messrs. Simpson and Long have
been before the voters as opposing can
didates but it is the first time that Mr..
Long has an official record to defend.
With Simpson it is different: during
the several different campaigns he had
his recoI d as congressman of this dis
tlict, but was seemingly held RESPONSE
BILE Tor the action of democratic con-
gressmen. However, the people have
since learned that men should be held
responsible for their own action only
and it Is safe TO say that what other
congressman have done will have no
effect when the voter is making a
choice between the two candidates in
the Big Seventh this year.
AS public man Mr.. Simpson has a
most remarkable record. When the re-
form wave struck the state in 1890 he
was chosen from among a convention
of men who, having become dissatisfied
with existing conditions, resolved to
choose representative who was in
sympathy with the laboring and pro-
ducing class-one who had experienced
the hardshlps and prlvations of the ay-
erage western settler. They did not
advise with the fine haired politicians
or the well DIDO lawyer, but the plain
common people of the Seventh congress
siOnal district consulted with each 9TH
er and Jerry Simpson was the man up
on whom they finally agreed. He made
the campaign that year and suffered
the abuse of the republican press, the
republican politicians and corporate
interests as no man did since the DAYS
of Abraham Lincoln but was triumph
antly elected by majority of over T.
600 votes. He went to congress under
very adverse circumstances. Untrain-
ed and inexperienced in legislative r0at-
tiers, farmer and laborer all his life,
he had much to learn, and yet he took
hold OF the work with earnestly and
zeal exceeding the expectation of his
friends and dismaying his enemies. He
was the common man called from the
humble walks of life to the responsible
position of representing his fellow men
in the United States congress. In the
succeeding campaign he was again
nominated and re elected TO the same
Office but in the campaign Of 1894 the
voters Of the country etampeded &c the
republican party because times were
hard and nothing had been done TO re-
lieve the people. The result Is we'll
bnown. The people elected Chester [.
Longto succeed Jerry Simpson For no
other reason than because Simpson and
the other Populist congressman could
not enact into law the demands Of the
Peoples party. They made hard fight
but their numbers were few and they
corld accomplish little.
But Mr.. Long went to congress when
the republican party was IN control of
practically both houses and what of
his record. lie went there as a nonen-
tlty and returned in the same way
His record is that Of voting wrong on
every material measure and mis-
representing his constituency, Con-
trastiDg Mr.Long's record with that of
his predecessor we have very favora-
BILE showing in favor Of Mr.. Simpson.
When Mr.. Long went to congress he
went pledged to favor free silver yet
by his pledge he weakened and went
with the cause of the capitalist. Simp-
son was given several opportunities to
vote on this question and each time he
voted in accordance with his campaign
pledges and the demands of his party
platform.
1t now remains with the voters of
the Seventh district to choose between
two men; Simpson who has redeemed
his pledge to the people or Long who
has violated every material pledge he
has made and who now disowns his
campaign speeches of two years ago.
Simpson stands today where he has al
ways stood: Long stands where he has
never stood before. In the former you
have firm and able legislator. man
whose sympathies and interests are
naturally with the common people, and
in the latter you have weak vacillat-
ing creture who takes one position to-
day and another tomorrow, who was
protested free silver man IN 1894 and an
ayowed gold standard man in 1896, who
has stood against the best interests of
his constituency and who has eyer been
found on the side of capital. For these
reasons-Simpson represents the peo-
pie, Long represents the interest Of
wealth-no patriotieAmerican,n mo west
ern man, no Kansan and no man who
is working for the betterment of him.
self, his family and his country, can af-
ford to help to return Mr.. Long to con-
gress and defeat Jerry Simpson. The
time for prejudice is gone and common
sense must prevail.
THEN AND NOW