The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-09-09
ST. PhUb COLUMN.
Etlifed by T q HANIEY

Great interest is being manifested by
the Republicans as to what the Populists
or ramsey will do in regard to fusing
with the Democrats. They hope that
the contemplated committee on confer
ence will break up in a row." and that
both parties will put full ticket in the
held. Republican emissaries are indus
trlously spreading the seeds of discord
Wherever they can find a willing ear
Populists are warned to pay little heed
to the tender solicitations of the Repub-
llcan politician and Office seeker. Their
only hope of success is disunion of the
reform forces. This is the time for con-
cessiOns en- a,l et"o~ - ~~~"+ carn
the confer eLct c-.4A.,4..- Il ~. NIT
the conference committee OF the Demo-
Gratis and silver Republicans On the
sagacity, wisdom and firmnes of this
committee depends the success of the
ticket to be nominated by the reform
forces this fall in Ramsey county
The work Of the conference committee
OF the reform forces Will practical per-
form the work of each convention.
There being nothing for the conventions
to do but ratify the action OF their re-
spectiVe committees. This action will
even go so far as to determine who the
candidates from each party will be, and
may have the effect Of bringing disap-
pcintment to many candidates who
could secure a nomination in their own
party, who would fail to be acceptable
in the other parties for Endorsement
This condition will compel all parties
to present clean, honest, capable mea
for the office if they wish to have them
win at the polls.
The judges of the district court are
giving all parties the most trouble, as
for some reason there are full compile
ment CT candidates in each party to fill
the three vacancies twice over, and in
creasng each day. 1t has been suggest
ed III certain quarters that a way to set
tie this matter was to give one candidate
each to the PopuliSts, silver Republicans
and Democrats.
There seems to be considerable oppO-
sitiOn from Democratic sources against
any and all of the candidates of the Pop
ulists for district judges. They claim
that they are obscure lawyers, and can
not win even with their Endorsement If
our judgment is worth anything we
believe that any Of the names that we
have heard up to date as candidates for
the judiciary are fully as competent and
able men as has been presented by our
Democratic friends. We would there
warn our allies not to be too severe upon
the candidates presented by the Peo-
pies Party, as it may lead to grave COM
picatiOns, and result in breaking off
negotiations. The Peoples Party in
Ramsey are determined to maintain
their dignity and demand their fair
share of the offices, and any attempt to
give them less will be vigorously re-
Sented
There are quite a few offices to be
dealt out in Ramsey this fall, and it ap-
pears to us as though a satisfactory di-
vision of these offices could obtain. In
the county alone there are IA county Of
fees, six county commissioners and ten
legislators, making 80 offices in ALL
Should these officers win there would be
patronage for some 200 positions, con-
sisting of deputies, clerks, etc.
We are surprised as we'll as pleased to
see the change OF sentiment which has
taken place within the ranks of the Peo-
pies Party. We remember how the edi-
toE Of tho st. Paul column was denOunc-
ed by resolutions last winter for advo-
tGNnS the fusion OF all reform forces
and dividing the Offices and electing the
whole ticket. We are happy to see to-
day even the men who were most hos
tile in their denunciatiOns of the policy
advocated in the st. Paul column among
the most earnest and enthusiastic sup
pcrters of that policy now. We believe
that Mr. J. NJ. O'Grady expressed the
sentiment of the radicals, as he calls
himself a middle-of-the road man. in
his excellent speech before the county
convention when he said the time had
arrived when he had to get into the band
wagon containing the reform forces or
be pushed aside" We had considerable
pride and qualification to express to
those earnest men for accepting prop
osltion which was so hostile to their way
of thinking short time ago. 1t shows
that patriotism was placed above party
by those earnest men, who guarded the
truths and principles of our party with
such a keen and Jealous eye, that any
thing favoring Of deal suggested by
any one was regarded with Just sus-
picion, and naturally SO. We are pleas
ed to note the change Of sentiment to-
wards us from this quarter, and hope
that we can give evidence of the truth
of what we have all along said, that
we wanted no office. but that we wanted
the Peoples party to win in this ma
tion, state and county" and to this end
all our energies will be devoted We
venture to say that never before in the
history of Ramsey county has there been
such a feeling Of good will and harmony
prevailing within the ranks of the Peo-
pies Party as that which prevails at
the present time. We have become bet
ter acquainted with each other and have
good reason to change our OPINIONS
Should this good feeling prevail success
will be surely ours.
We have been possibly more severe
upon Mr. Francis Fl. Clark than anv
one else in this Fourth Congressional
district. on account Of the unsatisfactory
manner in which the instructions
given to our delegates to st. Louis were
carried out, and while we do not retract
one word of criticism of what was said
at that time to all the delegates, we
deem a word at this time Opportune by
placing our position before the public
with regard to our support of Mr.
Clark for congress. Never the-less Mr.
Clarke was nominated by our regularly
constituted convention and as the reg
ular nominee Of the Peoples Party we
are in justice and duty bound to support
Mr.. Clarke. And to our Democratic
friends who have been urging the ex-
pediency of Withdrawing Mr. Clarke's
name from the ticket, on the grounds
that he will not receive the support Of
his own party are lahOring under de-
fusion, and if persisted in may lead to
disastrous consequences and jeopardize
the whole reform movement in this