Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-03-26
NOTES HMp COMMENT.
What the Public Arc Thinking, Saying
and Doing.

and Doing.
We see no reason why a plan for
uniting the reform forces at ST. Louis
should not be discussed without the
use of such harsh language as some
papers are indulging in. Some peo-
pie seem to think that those who dif-
fer with them are not honest, are
traitors, or have sold out. The cry has
gone up, "let us unite" Some ono
wants to know how? In fact 1t is
proper that We should know how. The
fact that we do not all agree as tn
the best plan is no evidence of treach-
cry. Let the discussion 60 on, but let
it go on right.
We believe that every populist in the
land desires a union Of reform forces.
No true populist wants II at the sacrl-
flee Of principle, or desires to stultify
his manhood to secure 1t. There Is
plenty Of time between now and the
time Of holding the convention to dis
cuss the matter, and to near from the
people. In the meantime populists
should be honest and frank with each
other Any dark lantern movements or
surprises sprung at the convention
would precipitate trouble and possibly
prove fatal to an honorable union with
the silver men. Much depends upon
the action of the men who have taken
it upon themselves to act as go-be-
tweens for the different elements.
A strong argument for government
ownership of railways is contained in
report to the state department by
United States Commercial Agent Moore
at Weimar, upon the Prussian railroad
system. He shows that last year the
gross receipts from these railways
was $244, 467, ia or more than half Of
the entire revenues of the state. The
net earnings after deducting S53, 24O,60O
interest on working capital and sinking
fund, we're $51, 051, 900, which will DO
turned into the treasury for the use Of
the state. This sum is larger than the
income derived from taxes Of all kinds.
The logic Of events is pressing the
railroad problem TO a speedy settle
ment. and no single proposition in the
Peoples party platform meets with
more appreciation from the masses
than that of railroad ownership. The
hue and cry Of opposition comes from
demagogues who have the mistaken
Idea that it is unpopular with the peo-
pie.
AS a matter of fact the transporta-
ton plank of the Peoples party plat
form is as we'll understood and az
easily defended as any part Of the plat
form. 1t Is not as much of an untrled
theory as is part of the financial system
which we propose. 1t is more popular
outside of the Peoples party than any
other single plank of our platform eX-
cept that in favor of free silver. The
brilliant victory in San Francisco in
the election Of Mayor Sutro was won
principally on our transportation
plank. 1t is the paramount question
on the Pacific coast. 1t has gathered
around our standard host of adher-
ents who are nobly helping us to battle
for the other great measures In our
platform. All these things should be
carefully considered before we THINK
of dropping the transportation plank
from our next platform.
In view of this condition OF analra
what will the free silver democrats &c
II a sound money platform Is adopted
at Chicago and a gold bug nominated
This is becoming an interesting ques-
tion. There will either be a bolt in the
convention or the largest crow feast on
record. Will Bland take the parting
way?" Will Billy Bryan continue to
serve in one of the two republican par
r ties in this country? Vest has al
ready declared that he will hang on tc
the tail of the golden calf with the hope
that he might be able to turn its heac
in the opposite direction. Morgan o.
Alabama will perhaps die again in the
last ditch" The committee, Jones, Har'
ris and Turpie, will stump the country
in n frantic effort to round up the
bovs party" all into the
gold bug camp. The cuckoos Will cut
halt and Grover will fish. But the
) masses. what will they do you car
fool all the people part of the time
: and part Of the people all the time, but
YOU can't fool all the people all the
time" The masses have more man
r hood than the leaders. They have beer
fooled so often they are becoming des
: perate. Thousands Of them will jolr
= the Peoples party. In doing so they
= have nothing to lose. They cannot
= make things any worse. They have seer
their banner trailed in the dust be-
= draggled and trampled upon because o.
: the broken pledges Of their trusted
5 leaders. They have seen John Sher
5 man out-Shermanized and sanctioned
nv a Democratic congress with over 1OO
S majority. They are sick and tired o
e broken pledges and hide -and-seek pol
9 itics. They have begun to see that tn
j. People's party represents the only tru'
= democracy. and thousands Of them arr
4 ready to cast their fortunes with tina
. 80, ord ranidIv growing giant tina