Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-20
Significance Of the Attitude of the
Iowa Populists.
BREAKING AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS
Leaders Of the Peoples Party Are
DistrustfuI.
OU LOOK FOR FUSIO

more particularly the utterarces of ex-
Senator PETER in his address before the
convention, convey threat against the
silver combination which means a great
deal There is more significance to this
than there was to the action of the pop
ulistS in Ohio, as bearir on national pol
itics. The expressions of PETER, a visitor
to the convention from Kansas, in antag-
onism to an alliance with the democrats in
the future, carry weight with the pop
uilsts. Pener did not oppose the alliance
made IN the late presidential campaign.
On the contrary, he was at st. Louis ad-
Vocating the nomination of Bryan by the
populist convention, and it was under
stood that he thought it best that the con-
vention should take the entire democratic
ticket, though he did not openly antagonize
the nomination of a popuist for Vice Presi-
dent Moreover, his relations in Congress
were intimate with the democrats and sill
yer republicans. Therefore, the position ie
mas now taken signifies that he sees no
more OF success in continuing the alliance
or co-cpere ton on free silver lines, and is
no longer in accord with Senators Allen and
Butler.
What Caused the Split
This is the outcropping of condition
which those on the inside have been aware
of for some time. 1t comes, not only in
consequence of the Encouragement to the
silver forces produced by the revival of
prosperity. but frcm the fact that the dem
ocrats have given both the populists AID
the silver republicans much reason for
dissatisfaction. The silver republicans
nave been patient and long suffering. as
nave some of the populist leaders, but the
discontent occas!oned has streng gthened the
forts to break the alliance. PETER has
found himself succeeded in the Seaa.e by
man who turns out to be a democrat
ana the same thing is true OF Dubois the
leader of the silver republicans. The pop.
uiists ard silver republicans have no as
surance that a similar result may not
come from the alliance all along the line.
Ihey realize that if the silver alliau. re
sEcuid succeed in the future Butler, popu-
list of North Carolina. might he succeeded
by democrat, as PETER and Dubois have
Teen. and that in Montana and Utah,
where none but silver men can be elected
democrats
There is no assurance to the contrary and
experience indicates what they may ex-
pect from their more powerful allies The
suggestion, when it has been made that
the democrats should not fight their allies
has received only negative sort of ZAP
proval by the mouth" ard little doubt is
teit that the democrats will get all they
can In Utah, for instance, there is every
possible reason from the point of view of
silver alliance that Frank Cannon should
be supported by the democrats for re-elec-
ton; yet it is very strongly indicated that
there will be an effort made to elect a
democrat in his place
PopuIists Take the Alarm.
This situation is calculated to destroy the
confidence of the allies and the populists
are quick to take the alarm. The silver re-
publicans are fighting for silver alone and
must stick to that, but the populists have
a pyta Of
they want to exhibit at public expense. and
they are mole ready to set about it on their
own hook.
The failure of the democrats to recognize
their allies by putting populist or silver
republican on the ticket in Ohio has con-
tributed toward the distrust in which they
are held. The result shows the relative
adhesiveness of the populsts and the silver
republicans to the old silver alliance. The
former have put up an Independent ticket
IN the state, while the latter (whateyer
their number may be- are working to help
eject a democratic senator in the place
OF Mr.. Hanna. If this effort should sue
ceed 1t would strengthen the tie between
the democrats and silver republicans, but
II 1t fails it is liable to cause a breach
The Outlook for Fusion.
Practically, the only prospect of a con-
tinuance of the silver alliance is between
the democrats and the silver republicans
and that faction of the populists who are
first of all silver advocates
Ine Independent action of the populists
IN Ohlo and Iowa will probably be followed
py Such action in the congressional cam
palgn by those states and by Kansas ard
other OF the western and southern states
apparently Nebraska is the only western
state where the populists seem REASONABLY
sure 10 remain true to Bryan
Inc presence of PETER in Iowa and .ba
position taken by him in his address give
rise TO the belief that he is figuring ON
the organization of the western poni1Iists
LOT independent action at the next presi-
dental campaign, and that he will be the
pofuiist candidate for President. even
though the democrats and silver repubIi
cans should nominate Bryan again.
PETER for President.
1t is regarded as almost certain that
the populsts will have an Independent
candidate. and it is thought to be likely
that Peffer viii be their man. This would
be enc OF the most serious things (politi-
caliy) that could happen for the confusion
OF the silver forces since the nomination
OF western populist would draw heavily
from the Bryan vote in that section
Yesterdays event.; in Des Moines simply
conhrm a belief that has been growing
mere tor some time, that at least a very
large proportion of the populists must be
counted out of any silver alliance in the
future.