The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-11
WHERE DOES HE STAND.

Editor Representatives:
The following appeared in the Mime
apolis Journal Of February 18th, accom-
panied with a portrait of Senator Cronk-
hite and copious remarks:
u. @. Cronkhite, the Populist senator
from Marshall county, has announced his
conversion to Republicanism. A few days
ago friend living in Crookston. sent
him Mckinley button, and in acknowl-
edging the receipt Of it Mr.. Cronkhite
says:
Yours containing the Mckinley but
ton just received. l fully appreciate your
wisdom and good judgment. I am in per-
feet harmony with the G. O. P. on all
issues except the silver question, and
this induces me to go in and bring the
Republicans fairly into line on this all
important question. l am wearing the
button bearing the likeness of Mckinley,
and will work and vote to the end that he
may be the next President of the United
States.'"
After reading the above carefully
decided to write to Senator Cronkhite and
obtain from him, if possible, a denial of
the quotation contained in the Journal
article. / expressed my surprise and pain
on reading it, and hoped that it might
not be true. l stated that the State
League was depending much on him, and
we desired to know just what his posi-
ton was; stating also that of all old
party candidates for President in the field
Mckinley represented anti-People's party
principles the strongest. This morning 1
received the following letter from him:
L. M. Aver. Minneapolis-My Dear Sir:
l haven't time neither do 1 care to no.
tice every fake that may appear in print.
Ii l am to understand your letter as
the crack of party lash, then 1 might say
more.
Mrs Lease once said Life is too short
and my time is too well occupied to pay
attention to the barking Of every cur, or
step on every worm that crawls Very
truly yours. j. @. Cronkhite.
Argyle, Mimi, Feb 90.
In answer to the above I will say that
I am not party boss. l have no author
ity or inclination to "crack the party
lash" over Senator Cronkhite or any other
man, nor can my letter to him be so con-
strued. However. l am Peoples Party
man, and my position as secretary Of the
Peoples Party State League of Mime
sofa entities me to know whether Sena-
tor Cronkhite has deserted the party
which elected him to the office he holds,
| as 1t is necessary TO obtain the assistance
| and influence of our recognized leaders
| in the matter Of organization Of their
| counties and districts.
| l consider Senator Cronkhite's answer
| to my letter evaSive in every sense
| The fact that the Journal article con-
| tains what purports to be quotation
| from personal letter from Senator
| CrOnkhite to a friend in Crookston, places
| the subject outside Of mere newspaper
gossip, and every Peoples Party man in
| Minnesota has right to demand of him
| where he stands. He cannot wear a Nc
kinley button and support Mckinley for
| President and be a Peoples Party man.
Senator Cronkhite is either a Peoples
| Party man, he is not. There can be no
middle ground for man holding office as
| he does at this stage of the game.
AS an individual Peoples Party man I
publicly request him to place himself
right with the party, or, if he is a wolf
in sleeps clothing that he take off his
cloak. Very truly yours.
| L, M Aver