The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-25
An Encouraging Outlook For the
Success of the Peoples
Party.
REPORT FROM OFFICIAL
SOURCES.
The Gold Policy Driving Free Silverites From
the Old Political Parties.
ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK.
PAOnle'S Party News Rurea,
HEADQUARTERS National Ex. Con

At this time matters are beginning to take
on lively air and Chairman Taubeneck
and his assistants are getting right down
to hard work, answering the immense cor
respondence, and arranging prelininaries
for the great convention to be held here
July 22nd and the campaign to follow
Reports are already coming in from
members of the National Committee and
Chairmen of State and County Commit
tees, announcing accesstons to our party
all along the line, and dissensions and de-
moralization in the ranks of our enemies.
There can be but little doubt now that
the threatened bolt and walkout in the
Republican and Democratic National Con-
ventions by the Is to free silver advo-
Gates if they fail to secure their demands
will prove reality, for it is plain that this
class will fail to get what they desire in
their respective parties
In Michigan the free silver Democrats
have formed a party of their own and
erected permanent state organization.
This is only ONE move toward political
freedom, but having taken the first step
the next one will be easy and they will
soon land in the Peoples party.
The sensible and conciliatory resolu-
tions passed by the Reform Press Associa-
ton at Dallas last month have inspired
hope and stimulated our friends to re-
newed activity all over the country.
The biggest cloud on the Republican
horizon just now is the move being made
by the manufacturers of the East to form
an alliance, offensive and defensive with
the Republican silver men in the Western
states, which, if successful, will complete
ly dismember the Republican party and
place it in worse condition than the late
lamented Democracy
To a close observer it begins to look as
if the end of both political parties and
the gold dynasty was very near at hand.
The political rogues are likely to fall out,
in which case honest people can get JUS
tice by standing shoulder to shoulder IN
the great struggle for industrial freedom
Free silver seems to be the wedge that
is destined to split both old parties asun-
der. A member of our National Commit
tee from Maine reports uneasiness and
dissatisfaction in the Democratic and Re-
publican ranks. A large number of Peo-
pies party clubs have been organized in
the state and the voters seem to be waking
up to their condition and joining our par
ty. The state convention in Maine will be
held at Auburn on June 4. The outlook
for success in that state grows better
every day.
There are indications that the Demo-
Gratis will unite with the POpuliSt5 in Ida
no. There are about 5000 Mormon voters
in that state, the majority of whom, It is
believed, will affiliate with the Republic
ans. The A. p. A. has organized there
within the last few months and it is a
very uncertain quantity The Republican
machine I'M Idaho is strong, but the silver
men are deserving the party every day
The Democrats and Republicans will
probably repudiate their parties if silver
is not given proper recognition.
In Kentucky the voters are reported as
being at sea, and our party is now being
spoken of in respectful terms by the op
position. A large per cent Of the free
silver element will come to us in the event
their parties adopt the gold standard, or
straddle the financial question.
The situation in Nebraska, is about as
follows: On strict party lines there are at
present $4,000 Republicans, $4,000 Popu
lists, and 10000 Democrats. With the
lines divided on the money question, Ne
braska would give a majority Of $4,000
for free coinage. The Populists of that
state are in favor of union with the free
silver people on honorable terms that will
not involve the surrender of distinctive
principles, nothing as yet has been done
in that state toward selecting delegates to
the National convention.
In New Mexico it is reported that the
rank and file in both the old parties are
ready to join an independent movement,
if their parties fail to declare for silver,
when they nominate presidential candi-
dates No nominations will be made by
our people, until after the National con-
vention, but the territorial convention to
select delegates to St. Louis, will probably
be held in May.
Montana has called a delegate conven-
ton to meet June %. The nominating
convention for state officers will be held
some time in August. The political sit
uaton in Montana is very encouraging
to Populists. The Democratic party is
demoralized. The Republicans are afraid
to endorse a platform declaring for the
gold standard and they dare not go before
the public as Republicans, unless they do
endorse it. In either case there promises
to be good sized bolt.
The situation in Texas is very encOur-
aging. The new recruits to our party
are coming mostly from the free silver
Democracy and there is likely to be reg
ular landslide from that source, if the
Chicago convention adopts, as it is almost
sure to do, Sound money" platform.
The Democrats of Virginia are despOn-
dent and divided. Three-fourth of the
party are said to favor silver, but the
goldbugs control the party machinery.
The Republicans of the state are reorgan-
izng under goldbug leadership in antici-
patton of victory and although there is a
bitter feud among the leaders they will
unite on a congressional and
ticket. In this respect, DO n par
ties are on party.
The situation in Washington, ON the
far Western coast is good, especially SO in
the agricultural sections Initiative and
Referendum Clubs, have recently been
formed throughout the Eastern part of the
state and Populist meetings are being
more largely attended than ever before.
A lecture bureau has been established in
that state and money is being raised by
the monthly pledge system to keep speak
ers in the field.
Oregon elects a judge of the supreme
court, congressman and legislative and
county officers in June. The outlook for
success in that state appears reasonably
favorable, although the Populists have
ceded that the fight is between the Popu-
lists and the Republicans. The Demo-
Gratis are simply not in it. The silver
men in Oregon are organizing silver lea
CUES, while the gold men are forming
clubs. The famine in money in
that state is SO fearful that in one county
l. xo1I c~,x s1,o