The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-08-26

tee that objected to its adoption.
2 I distinctly remember the s0r-
row and pain I experienced that Mr..
owen, a gentleman whom / always
honored and respected, should occupy
such reactionary position"
After this letter was published Mr..
Owen replied, In a newspaper inter-
view, and again declared that he did
not make a speech against the meas
ure or oppose 1t in any way.
While Mr.. Schilling's statement was
perfectly satisfactory to us,-for we
had known both men for years,-we
nevertheless felt that the word of the
one might be regarded as counter
balancing the word of the other:
and we therefore wrote letters to
several members Of the committee
from other states. asking them il they
remembered what took place, and re-
questing them ,togive the facts just
as they occurred: We have received
the following reply.
HON. IGNATIUs;DoNNELLY:
Dear Sir:-I am in receipt of your
letter OF the nth inst. When the
question of tneaIhitiatiye and Refer
endum was up before the committee
on Platform OF. the recent National
convention of the, Peoples Party at
st. Louis, Mr.. Owen took the floor, and
made a speech upon the subject. He
remarked in substance that he had
given this matter considerable atten-
ton for some time. and that we had
better 20 slow. e..He stated that he
had investigated the operation of the
Initiative and Of Referendum in
Switzerland, and frequently it worked
badly, that by it laws, would be passed
by small percentage Of those quail
fed to vote, and that good laws. would
be defeated by similar small vote.
He stated also that this was a very
large country, and that the operation
of this principle might not work we'll.
He stated also that this was q very
large country, and that the operation
OF this principle might not work we'll.
He also stated that the principle had
been virtually in operation in the
township meetings Of New England
necessary population in order to be
chartered; would obtain charters 10
order to get rid OF the effect of this
principle in municipal administration.
/ do not recall that Mr.. S. M. Owen
stated In so many words that he was
opposed to the Initiative and Refer.
endum: but the drift Of the remarks
impressed me that he was opposed to
the principle.
When the vote was taken, 1 was not
paying attention to Mr.. Owen, and
cannot say whether he voted on the
question.
I voted for this plank in our plat
form, but did not take part in the dis
cussion upon this question.
In conclusion, wish to say that you
captured the Georgia delegation at st.
Louis, and that you have their love
and respect. Yours most respectfully,
JAMES X. HINES.
Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 10.
We have received also the following
letter:
HON. 1GNATIUs DoNNELLY:
Dear Sir:-Yours just received and
noted. Ny recollection is that Mr..
Owen opposed the Initiative and Ref
efendum plank, as reported by the sub
committee of which was one. / be-
came SO Disguised with the way few
seemed to want to dictate the plat
form, notably Weaver, Owen, etc, that
I did not follow the matter as
closely as might. Iwant to say that
Mr.. Owen opposed the principle of
| Initiative and Referendum, but made
| 1t up so short that it meant nothing,
rs they did every other plank. was
very much surprised not to find you
committeeman from your state. I
wished for and needed your council.
| I blush with shame when I think OF
our National Convention.
had not given up yet, even when
you seconded Bryan's nomination, my
| hope however fell almost to the bot
tom. Wish l could see you. Very
| truly, j. WELLER LONG.
Kirksville, Mo-, Aug. %.
Also the following:
HON. IaNAT1Us DoNNELLY:
Dear Sir:-In reply to your esteemed
favor will say that it was my impres.
sion that Mr.. Owen was the one who
offered slight opposition the Refer
endum plank, btat the opposition was
SO easily overcome that / never took
much notice. 1ycannot say positively.
therefore. As to, the clause under
proper constitutional safeguards, !"
Gen. Weaver Is responsible for that.
drew up the original plank, which
l W00 "a OVA W0AW ACJOCVCN 0Hu tttV CIVI Y
one accepted. Thought that our most
important plank. and was opposed to
its mltilatiOn. but not caring to
wrangle over what seemed to be q
minor difference, We Of the sub-com.
mittee allowed the change with but
little opposition.
1 can say this:-we missed the
genius of Donnelly to give our plat
form and preamble the RING which
distinguishes the Omaha document
and makes 1t the greatest platform
ever penned in America.
Our situation is quite mixed here
As chairman OF my state committee,
and uader instructions from the full
committee, have offered Democrats
plan Of cO-operation-asking for two
electors and two congressman. This
they have under adYisement, but We