The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-01
HE REPLIES TO WASHBURN.
National Populist Secretary Edgcr-
ton Writes a Letter.
HIS IDEAS OF THE PopuLlST POLICY.
Free silver Plank Not 90 He DispIac.
cd for other Planks in the
Party Platform.

st. Louis, January educational Populist
Secretary J. A. Edgcrton Of Lincoln. Neb.,
has written call for National conference
OF populists at Kansas City. Mo-. February
%. and forwarded II TO Chairman Marion
Butler urging him to issue the same,
About two weeks ago General +, Wash
burn of Boston. member OF the peoples
party National committee, issued an an.
peal TO the porulists Of the United States,
which was generally published all over tho
country. This appeal practically advised
populsts to abandon the silver issue ani
take UP the question OF government issue
of paper money and government ownership
OF railways. Secretary Edgerton soon after
got the following letter from Mr.. Wash.
burn
MY Dear Mr. Edgcrton: Enclosed send
You copy of my appeal which issued last
week. The Boston Herald has requested me
to secure symposium of letters frcm the
leaders of our party giving their views on
the proposed change to independent party
action as well MS changing the fighting is
sue TO scientific money and government
ownership Of railways. | would be pleased.
therefore. II you would mail me II brief
comment indicating your attitude in this
matter. which trust meets with your at.
cordance. Fraternally yours.
&c. +. Washburn"
In his reply, which is dated Lincoln.
Neb., Mr. Edgerton says
Hon. George +. Washburn. Boston. Mass /.
My Dear Sir: The peoples party has
always contcnded for scientific money. II
has always contended for the government
ownership ~ railways. No change 81 the
fighting issue is necessary TO bring these
questions to the front, SO far as populists
are concerned.
at has always contcndod also for the free
coinage OF silver 1t should not abandon
this issue simply because another party
has taken II up but Should rather support
1t tho more zealously. II should welcome
the assistance and should vie with the new
comers as to whu shall give the Tree coin
age issue the most united and effective
support.
THE peoples party was the first to raise
the free silver standard. Must 1t abandon
that standard simply because another party
has come to it's support? Mo- right does
not cease TO be right because II gains new
ajhercnts ana TO say that We Will not adj
voeatc right principle simply because an
other party promises to share the credit
for carrying II TO success. seems to be
playing the boy
That is too narrow and selfish a course
for the PEOPLES party. There can be no
change Of the fighting issue until the cause
is won. The lines of the fight are already
1Ta~n. No question is ever settled until
II is settled right. Mckinleys election was
secured by bribery. Misrepresentation and
outright finud. 1t was not the deliberate
verdict Of the American people. That fight
must be made over again and next time 1t
viii be won.
Il believe that, more and more. the re-
form sentiment OF the country Is turning
10 the populist platform in its entirety. It's
manly and unsefish attitude In the late
campaign has inspired confidence.
81 agree with you that the fight should
be pushed hut that the issue should
be changed; and In place of abandoning
one plank and taking the two you promise
! would carry on the work OF education
| for:
u. The free and unlimited coinage OF
silver at 1G TO /.
so. Supplemental issue Of paper money
direct by the government.
20. Government ownership OF railways
and telegraphs.
Very truly yours. J. A. Edgerton-"