Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-06-29
TUESDAY, u N E 20, 1897.
THE PEOPLES PARTY PICNIC.

\ large number of representative
populists of Kandiyohi county met at
p. J. Dale's grove last Thursday and
notwithstanding the unfavorable state
Of the weather had a very enjoyable
and profitable time. Had it not been
for the threatening aspect of the
weather, and also that there. were a
number of picnics at other places on
that day the attendance would have
been immense. However we noticed
populists from every town in the coun-
ty with possibly one or two exceptions,
and they came of course in the interest
Of the party.
Hon. Nels Guam presided and in
PRODUCED some of the leading popu-
lists present for short speeches among
whom were P. H. Frye, DR.. Johnson,
O. A. Forsberg. The next speaker
was Attorney Frank P. Olney lately
moved to Willmar from Appleton,
Swift county. Mr.. Olney is an earnest
and forcible speaker and greatly
pleased the audience and will I'M
doubtedly prove a valuable addition
to our forces.
Mr.. Guam then presented the real
question before the audience to wit:
Whether the peoples party shall con-
tinue as of old, an Independent politi-
cal organization, or whether we shall
let our party organization drop and
call ourselves democrats?
This question was then discussed by
the audience and the sentiment was
practically unanimous, and on "a vote
entirely so, in favor of upholding and
standing by the straight peoples par
ty organization.
Many Of the oldest populists of the
county expressed themselves as strong
ly opposed to fusion, and declared
that they would stay at home on cleo
ton day in the future if they simply
had to choose between voting the re-
publican or democratic ticket.
Dr.. johnson spoke somewhat feel
ingly on this question. He said his
position had been somewhat misunder-
stood in this matter. He said he was
NOT opposed to- honorable cooperation
with other parties for the promotion
Of their principles held in common,
but he was decidedly opposed to any
such fusion program as was carried
out last summer. He would not bar
gain the honor of his party even for
such success at the polls as the fusion
ticket promised Last fall, He said that
the. action Of the democratic state
chairman in sending letters to leading
populists all over the state asking
them to organize democratic clubs, in
populist strongholds showed that they
wanted not simply fusion but absorb
ton of the peoples party. With that
be would have nothing to do whatever,
and if populists of KandiNohi county
were in favor of such a. program he
would step down and out from politics
for good. He said his, interest in the
TRIBUNE wassfor sale to, peoples par
ty men at cost at any time. if they
thought his views,did not truly repre-
sent the populist sentiment OF the
county. AS long. as be: owned an in
terest in the paper and wrote for it he
should express his honest convictions
in; any event, He did, not wish to
dictate in. any manner what the policy
Of the party should be- In the future,
but, bis, mind was made up, that it was
the. preservation Of the; peoples party
organization or the. end OF all hope OF
political reform.
s. & F. q: Frye, Nels Guam, Swan Mel
son and others spoke in this strain.
On motion this sentiment was unani-
mously adopted as the future policy OF
the party ,&-~E ! :. - /. nv ts=s~
Z The fact is as was freely expressed
.by-some of the speakers, Mr.. Guam
especially, that the peoples party is
the real power behind not only allspo-
litical reform movement OF the times,
but even the free silver cause. It's
the people, party as q political or
ganization threatening to overtlrn the
democratic q party south. and the re
publican party in the northwest that
has forced the democrats to declare
for free silver and take up such men
as WI. Bry an, and also given the