The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-09-08
THE POPULISTS OF IOWA.

The state convention of Populists Of
Iowa was largely attended by enthusi-
astic and earnest men. Mr.. A. L. Kicker.
! OF Johnson county, who was made tenn
porary chairman of the convention, de-
l1vered an able speech in which he said:
eve united with the Democrats in 1896
because Of the nomination Of Bryan. who
lacked only the name to make him a Popu-
list; but Bryan is not now the Democratic
party as he was practically in
that 1.-The much Wanted Chicago
platform, in not one line or sem
tence, makes an open and direct attack
upon the present economic system" He
secuted the idea that prosperity could be
any more than a chimera to the indus
trial classes so long as capital has it in it's
power. by combination. to levy fixed
charges upon industry. ut is the capital
istic system" he exclaimed vehemently
that must go, and to change this system
the Chicago Democratic platform offers not
one thing. It's one cure-all is the free
coinage Of silver. The free coinage Of silver
Will Increase the volume Of money and will
raise prices, but will destroy no trusts, no
monopolics; will in wise deprive cor
porations Of their enormous absorbing
powers. Free silver will destroy the power
of no railroad king, nor will it in any de-
gree lessen the burdensome tax which our
railroad management has placed on COM
merce. Free silver will not deprive a sim
gle land baron Of his stolen public domain
No party can ever succeed upon the single
silver issue, for it's inadequacy to relieve
society from its stricken condition is ap-
parent Deeper and more far reaching
must be the reform the banner of which
will gather to it countless numbers Of the
oppressed. Never again shall we consent
to compromise with plutocracy, and from
the dark night of the present system Of
consuming greed, of aggregated wealth
and Of cruel injustice, will turn to the
dawn Of a brighter day when the common
wealth OF the people will prevail.
The election of a state officer or two
although very agreeable for the men
who are elected, has no effect upon the
politics of the nation; but the breaking
up and decentralization of great move
ment, based upon great principles, is a
! serious matter. 1t would be better for
the Peoples Party to be utterly defeated
at the polls for the next ten years, pro-
vided they hold together and retain
their existence and their enthusiasm:
for eventually they would draw the ma
jority of people to their ranks. But what
is it for them to be able to say: I'VE
elected such a man governor for the
term of two years, or clerk of court or
town constable, or something of that
kind; and in the meantime we descend
ed to the low level of trading or traffick-
ing politicians, and ended the career of
our party In grand scramble for little
petty honors and emoluments."
For instance, we find the following
news item in a special to the st. Paul
Globe:
ABERDEEN, s. D., Aug. 26.-The Pop
uli is have changed the date of their judi
cial convention in this circuit to Sept 20.
There Is a movement on foot to present
Judge L. w. Crofoot as fusion candidate,
as he Is regarded the strongest candi-
date who could be named against the Re-
publican nominee. He is a good Democrat,
but the money question: it is claimed, will
be ignored.
This telegram is probably sent out by
Judge l.. w. Crowfoot, himself. He is a
Democratic wants the Populist votes;
he don't want to be considered Popu-
list; he is good Democrat, as the tele-
gram says-and the money question, it