Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-12-16
Daily Capita! journal.
sy t4oFRR BROTHERS.
THURSDAY. DEC. 10 1897
EDITORIAL


The call for the Populst state con-
vention is base on the votes cast for
Bryan and Watson in the November
election of 1896. 1t could be based on
no other vote, as the law says a con-
vention to name ticket to 20 on the
regular Australian ballot must be
made up of delegates chosen by a
party that polled az least three per
cent of the votes at the "last preced-
ing election, yet the votes cast at
that election were for the Peoples s.
Democratic-Silver-R Republican" elec-
tors. The call also urges that the
Peoples party discuss without pre-
judice all efforts to unite the mem
bers Of the direct legislation clubs
and The silver and reform elements.
The campaign to organize direct legls-
latlon clubs is to be begnn Friday by
Messrs U'Ren, McMahan and Ogle In
Clackamas county. The Omaha plat
form is not To be abandoned but di-
rect legislation is TO be made the one
vital test OF membership instead oil
the financial issue. At least such is
the idea we get from circular issued
from the hand of Mr.. U'Ren.
The Democratic party is To hold
state convention at date not yet set,
and there will be sharp struggle for
its cOutrol by Mr.. Pennoyer's friends.
These friends are divided into. two
classes. One class believes with the
Portland mayor that all the reform
elements should unite under the
Democratic banner. Another class
are admirers OF Pcnnoyer and would
vote to make him governor again, but
believe in complete and honorable
union of the three parties into one
solid opposition party, opposition to
The Republicans, opposition TO the
gold standard, opposition to extrav :
agance IN government under ring
rule. Such an honorable opposition
party, with ticket of clean and able
M n, each ore stronger with the peo-
pie than his own respective party
making an aggressive campaign
against the Republicans In this state
would result In decisive victory for
the people.
The Silver Republlcanshaye formed
state organization and will proceed
70 form county organic, tions and will
also call "A state convention and be
prepared to put ticket In the field.
The Silver Republicans left the Re
publican party last year when II
adopted the gold standard and on na-
tional issues, involving the question
OF an independent American bimetal-
lie financial system. they would vote
for members of congress and members
OF the state legislature representing
their views on the financial question.
They are disposed 10 vote with the
Silver or Bryan Democrats and Popu'
ulIsts on this aud other practical ques'
tlons OF reform. They believe In re-
ferrIng important new legislation TO q
vote of the people before IL goes into
effect. They declare for the referen-
dun In limited form and advocate
union aJ the primaries IL possible.
The articles OF faith on which these
three organizations seem to agree are
as follows:
/. Opposition to the gold standard
and national currency only,
2. Utited States senators to be
chosen by direct vote Of the people.
B. The Initiative and referendum II
some practical form.
A. Direct nomination by the people
and administration responsible TO th'
people.
When we ask the members of an,
of these parties privately: Are yoV
ia favor OF forming a solid opposition
union party? They answer unani
mously 10 the Affirmative. We ar
satisfied II the proposition w'fe sui
mitted 10 the uncontrolled judgmen
OF the rank and Tile OF those oppose
10 the Republicans 10 Oregon loda
the unanimous answer would be 4
favor OF union. The members uf thes
three organizations should not be re
Quired to change their political des
iguation 10 be able 10 perform pa
trlotic duty aud vote together TheI
Is no way In this state and
majority OF the counties 60 give III
majority OF the people chance TO c,
press their win but lby union. With
out union Oregon must remain unde
minority rule The demand for unic
is very strong among the people al
those who take the responsibility
deprive them OF IL must not expect
have their actions considered as tho
OF disinteFested nersons who have co
ferred a great politIcal boon on u
taxpayer. Parties IA Oregon are ia
critical condltion. Tlee who go In +
worse disorder and eonfusion are n
friends Of popular goveroment.
We are firm believers 10 strol
union opposition party. IL Is a dul
We owe the people under the const
tulion.
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