The evening times., 1896-06-25

public life. Senator Perfer, or Kansas, does
not expect Mt. McKinley's defeat this year
except by union OF all the free silver
forces. on the other hand, such combina-
ton, lie believes, Will sweep the country.
THIS was the central thought or Senator
Pcffer's utterances upon the political out
look in an interview today. Incidentally
tie Kansas Senator sharply criticised MIR.
TaubeDeck, the secretary of the Populist
national committee, for the party mani
festo issued by him III st. Louis a few days
since.
Ihis n'anifesto,' said Senator Peffer.
Was III the nature OF an appeal, signed by
Mr. Taubenetk aud other gentlemen. adj
Vising our people TO support Senator Teller
Tor the Presidency, wneu the Populist Con-
ycntion iueetsr
DO you approve Mr.. Taubeneck' S course"
think,' said Senator Perfer, quietly.
That II was Il mistake"
Was IL made with authority?''
III was wholly unauthorized. Mr. Taube-
heck had no reason to believe that the great
body of our membership would support a
movement OF that kind. 1t was impertinent
because II assumed to dictate what The party
should do. IL was treacherous, because,
without having authority. this mau under
WIN
current or our party opinion 1t was un-
timely because it was assuming without
authority to say to the world in advance OF
our national convention what our policy
should be-
What ought the Populist policy to be-
THE POPULIST PLAN.
The leading idea of cur people, when
we formed Our party, was to bring about
ultimately union OF all the different re-
form clements of tie country in opposition
10 the power which is now recognized by
the term, Money Power SO that we
might be ready at any time to join forces
with the other organizations which, like
Us, are in this opposition.
But We want them to do what we have
done, stand with the present urganiza-
tion, So that, together, we may form one
party which will combine these various
elements OF opposition. II the silver
Democrats and silver Republicans meet
us on that ground. We ought. in turn. to
make an equal advance, and by combining
form solid organization against the CON-
mon enemy.
Fer | believe that all the signs OF the
times Indicate that the gold men. RepGb-
licans aud Democrats will unite to de-
feat the silver movement / think also
that cur party should maintain its present
organization solidly until s,me arrangement
can he made for permanent union or all
the elements / refer to-"
Suppose an effort is made to carry the
Populist party over to the Democratic
nominee OF the Chicago convention. whit
do you think would he the effect Of that?''
I'm case the Democrats adopt their usual
platft rm. ma king 10 allowanccsfor recruits
frtm other sources and naming ticket
composed OF cid school Democrats. pledged
| To 70 re form except that of silver. our peo-
pie will refuse Ia act with them. We could.
however. form an offensive and defensive
alliance with them in tie Northwest. West.
Southwest and South and still keep our sew
eral Organizations intact. In that way we
could bring all the strength OF the silver
pef pie to hear in the electoral College"
"would not this be tantamount to in
dorsing the Democratic nominee
MKINLEY's CHANCES.
mo: it would operate this way: Take
States like those in the Northwest-the
Dakolas, Nebraska. Kansas. Colorado. Ne
| vada, and Others in that reglon-where the
| Democratic vote is very light AT the best.
There We would have entirely Populist
electors, because the Democrats are not
sufficiently strong to change the poiiti-
/ cal complexion OF the vote. In some OF
the Southern States, where there are
| more Democrats than Populists, there
| could he a mixture OF electors represent
ing both elements in proportion TO their
voIing strength, with the understanding
| that the solid electoral vote be cas- t
whichever way it could be made the most
| effective 10 deciding the election OF Presi-
| dent / see no other way To maintain
| our separate organizations and get a
| combined strength against the Republi
] can candidate"
In this event. who would be seated. the
| Populist or the Democratic nominee?''
That" replied Senator Peffer, lis q
matter of detail which could be settled
| after the election"
| Under the circumstances, could you de
feat Mckinley"
Il shall not say that doubt it. but feal
| il would not be successful. l don't believe
that such policy would bring out any
| where near the full silver vote or the cuun
/ try, 1t would have the appearance o.
| division and that alone would deter {
| good many people who would support
single organization. national in its Guar
| meter. Hence / say. the Importance or
uniop of a II the silver forces in one new body
| If we can secure such an organization VT
| shall carry the election"
"Wi,l not the Democrats see the wisdom
| of such n course and advance such a pfopo
sition can be accepted by your people!
| az should think they would see II. put
continued Senator Peffer. with smne
II regret to So V that there is some force IL
| the criticism that the Democratic part.
does not seem to know how to avaii itsei
| of n favorable opportunity When ore pre-
| sents itself"