New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1897-12-22
.REFO
REPORTERS
CONFER,
Lind, Towne, Owen, 0'Brien and Others
Hold Meeting in Minneapolis.
Prospects Of Success in the Coming Cam
palgn Discussed

An important conference Of the rep
resentatlves of the reform forces in this
state was held at Minneapolis last Sat-
urday.
According to the Times, there were
about forty present, including the follow
ing leaders of the different wings Of the
reform movement:
Democrats O'Brien Of St. Paul, Judge
Pond, Smith and Stockwell of Mlnneap-
oils, and Dollenmayer and Dickson cf
the Free Press.
Populists- Owen, Bowler, Dobbyn,
Lynch and Aver.
Silver Republicans Lind, Towne,
Corser, John Day Smith, Parker. Chaffee
and Goff of Minneapolis, and Hawthorne
and Stevens of St. Paul.
John Lind presided, and made brief
talk in which he predicted the future
growth and success of the united reform
movement. The address of the day was
made by Mr.. Towne.
He had no doubt that the reform fore
es would continue together In harmony.
They would probably remain distinct as
party organizations next year, and there
would be fusion and cooperation. But
this could not continue as settled poll
cy. They must amalgamate or seperate,
and he believed that the people would
insist on a close union If the
forces of reform. What Name The new
party would take he did not know OF
care. H..
For the present the democrats would
be Obliged to broaden the Chicago plat
form to secure the cooperation of their
allies, the populists. The silver repub-
licans would insist that this be done, in
order that all could meet on a common
ground. This was an age of progression,
and the party that was hindermost in its
views would be hindermost in the pro.
cessiOn. 49,. ..<
+ S. M. Owen and Major Bowler, speak
ing for the populists, took the same view
of things. They agreed that the popu.
lists would work with the democrats if
the latter would broaden their views
Major Bowler SAID the democrats must
consent to government ownership and
control of monopolies as we'll as the init.
iative and referendum. S. NJ. Owen
seconded the statement. ~.~
T. D. O'Brien agreed to the general
proposition that the democrats would
have to take more progressive stand
next year. "Whoever stands in the way
of progress will get hurt" was his way
of putting it.
He thought there was little hope from
the great cities of the country. The de.
mocracy of Chicago and New York was
too corrupt. He intimated that it was
from the country districts of Minnesots
that the reform movement must expect
strongest support. A. D. Smith insisted
that Minneapolis would be found in line.
He agreed that the platform must be ex.
tended. -
Following this there was considerable
scattering talk. But out of it was
evolved the idea of a joint platform
next year for the three parties. The idea
was that joint committee should frame
one to be presented to all three state
conventions and that all should sail ua-
der the same doctrinal banner. There
should also he fair division on the state
ticket. The silver republicans would
see that the democrats did not ask too
much from the popullsts or the popolista
from the democrats, and in this way
equilibrium would be maintained.
800 S5E