The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-19
ALL TO OBTAIN VOTES.
Striking and Novel Methods of
Arousing Political Enthusiasm.
Prairie Picnics Of Ksnsas-Joint De.
bates and Their Popularity.

paign, but there are some features OF DO
litical fight on the plains that cannot be
duplicated In the more populous districts
of the nation. The western people arc noted
for the extrcme manner of thoir takinc
hold OF propositions, and their actions IN
the campaign season arc Of the varieties
that are strange and unusual. The radical
nature Of the politics is responsible for
much Of this, and IL is feature Of the new
parties that they ere all the time doing
those things that will attract tic attention
of the others SO that their speakers may be
able to reach them The towns are too far
apart TO have the long marching proces.
sions that are SO great a speciality in the
thickly settled regions OF the east. There
IL none of tho richly caparisoncd clubs
with flambeaux 20 make tho night GLORIOUS
these are out Of reach Of the people ex
cept in the larger places because of their
expense. But many arc the features 60
take their place in the winning Of the bat
tie
Probably the Farmers Alliance was the
most successful OF the inventors of new
campaign ideas. 1t was this organization
that first put to practical use the picnic as
a political factor 1t was an outcome OF
the admission of women into the order.
When the Alliance was made part Of the
Populist party, IL was necessary that there
should be something done for the promul-
cation of the faith among the masses. Ii
was also necessary that there should be
chance given the women Of the order to
show their fealty % the cause. Then came
the Alliance picnic that did more than any
other thing to carry the prairie for the
Populist party. it was the place where Ii
showed its strength and oyerawed the op-
posing ranks.
The first Alliance picnics were surprise
20 the old parties Out on the plains tho
meetings were advertised not by the pa
pers, for there were not many Of these, but
at the schoolhouse, Sunday schools and
by word Of mouth. On the appointed day
the families all gathered, and in the scanty
groves that could furnish but little shelter
from the hot winds that were eating the
life out OF the corn they put in the day.
Besides the dinner there was singing of
such songs as "Goodby, Old Party, Good
by" and other fayorites of this class, as
well as speaking
But the crowning idea of the Populists
In the early days of the party was to scare
the towns by their exhibition of strength
These county rallies were first used in the
campaign Of 1890, and it must be confessed
they were very successful for time. The
old parties were disposed 20 look upon the
new movement in a sneering way and TO
intimate that 1t was not much of a shower
afteS all AS matter Of fact the Alliance
had In that campaign the most perfect or
ganization that any party ever had in tho
newer states. 1t was able by means of its
secret lodge meetings TO find out the posi-
faf a
straddlers, while the opposition could not
break the secrecy or make poll of the
voters that would be of much value. In
some counties the Populists were able to
tell In advance their vote within per cent
of the reality. When the time of the cleo
ton was approaching, the leaders ordered
that the voters should make showing OF
their strength. So then came the county
picnics, that were what the local ones had
been, with the added element of a parade
that was To do the frightening. The days
of the rallies were looked forward TO with
great interest by the old parties, and all
preparations were made 20 discount any
showing that might be made. About 10
o'clock the procession Of the families began
to come into town. 1t had formed out in
the country, and many Of the people had
driven for 20miles TO be in the line and
swell the numbers AS they wended their
way through town the reporters of the pa
pers counted the teams and also the voters,
and the CONSERVATION of the opponents can
be imagined when it was seen in many in
stances that the voters in the line were
enough to carry the county. They did 1t,
too, and the estimates were verified But
the picnics were not so successful after
that and the dying out of tho secret order
was the end of this kind of campaigning
One of the oddest campaigns that has
been fought in the west was that in west
ern Kansas when the rival candidates went
into partnership and gave a show under
canvas that was warranted to be worth the
money. 1t was the result Of tho meager
facilities the country furnished at that
time, and was substitute for the lacking
opera houses tfat have since become a part
OF every little town and .amlet. The three
candidates for honors were good friends,
and agreed that they would save the ex-
penso of separate campaigns, and went To-
gether ana purchased a large tent. This
they PLACED on a wagon, and with a driver
We're re>dy fer tho crowds they wished TO
enlightcn. And the crowds came too. They
filed the tent, and the orators were able 10
take turns ut the audience until there was
no voter il the district who was not
reached. Whether the unsuccessful candi-
dates werc dissatisfied with the results or
not, tho experiment was never repeated.
Tho Joint debate has ever been tho favor
Ito on the plains. The people arc admirers
of the ready oftha0d Crntory that is not so
set and staid IS that OF the formal speaker.
The cast never can feel the same excite
ment as animatcs the western town when
there Is n debate between famous speakers.
When Lincoln and Douglas set tho pace
for this kind OF campaigning, they set a
severe one, ard IL has been seldom that
any similar series has risen % the same
heights as did that famous array OF meet
ings, Mr. Bryan has been through tho
same kind OF worl. He met Senator
Thurston on the Ilains Of Nebraska in n
series Of debates that was listened Co by
thousands nightly. OF course In these do
bates there IS always a diversity of opinion
as to who is the winner The usual plan
Is 70 diyldo the rcatiug capacity OF tho hall
and to give to zach PARTY halt OF tho tick