The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-20
STAND.
Tells the Iowa POpuIists He is
Opposed to Fusion.
POpulists and Democrats Are
Not i'm Accord.
BRYAN NOT RELIABLE.
Believes He Would Compromise
on the Ratio
In Order to Get Free and I'm
limited Coinage.

Des Moines, Ia, Aug. 20.-The fea-
ture of the afternoon session of the
Populist convention yesterday was the
address by ex-senator PETER. He SAID
in part:
eff recent discoveries of free gold
mines should prove to be as valuable
as present appearances indicate, the
silver question may soon be Wholy
eliminated from Republican discussion
except, perhaps, as to those persons
whose individual interests are at stake.
Silver Republicans want more metaI-
lie money, and they would probably
be satisfied with gold if there is enough
of it.
1T is proposed that the Populist par
ty shall do two things-limit the range
OF our discussions to the silver branch
of the money question and ally our
selves with the Democratic party. These
are the propositions on which we are
divided. / am opposed to both OF them.
I do not wish to see the People Farly
merged in any other eXlStlnS ofSaHIzd-
ton, and especially in one too old 10
be useful Nor am l willing, without
warning and protesting, to see II mace
the football of politicians and bartered
away for SpOilS. / would be Wiling 10
abide by the conclusions of a national
conference of delegates, duly appoint
ed fairly representing all the elements
present gold standard-high tar1H re-
gime.
But until that can be accomplished,
the Populist party is good enough Tor
me. The alliance with the Democratic
party in 1896 was only for the cam
paign. Now, though we may not be
quite ourselves again, and in our right
mind, we are free to determine our al
fairs in our own way as party ana
as individual men.
1T may be urged that the Democrat
ic party has changed its policy in re-
spect to the coinage ratio. I deny it.
The platform utteranceS are merely
eclamatory-inserted to catch the
Populist vote. The responsible men of
the Democratic party have not been
and are not now tenacious about the
ratio Its candidates for the presiden-
cy and his associate on the ticket would
as 1 verify believe-consent to any
compromise that would secure the I'M
limited coinage of silver. No beneht
would accrue then to anybody but the
money changers and silver spectators
from increasing the coinage ratio, and
Populists see no reason why money
that is good enough for common people
is not equally good for uncommon peo-
pie.
There is nothing in the Democratic
platform or in that party'S policy which
is in any way responsive to the press
ing demand of the working classes.
THE coinage Of silver and an in
come tax are the only matters about
parties are even approximately in ac-
cord. AS to all matters which Popn-
lists regard as fundamental and as of
surprising Importance, we are not only
not in accord, but are positively OPP
posed to each other"
The following state ticket was placed
in the field:
Observation-Disclosures A Lloyd, Musca-
tine county.
Lieutenant Governor-D. L. Perkins,
Lyons.
Judge Supreme Court. A Long
burg, Wapelo
superintendent Observation-Disclosures
Blaine, Marion.
Railroad COMMISSIONER. H. Grit
fifth, Lee.
tional committee were appointed: A.
w. c. Weeks, Madison county; L. 1.
Reid, MuScatine, and J. S. Bebe, Lee.
A protest signed by ]. Belange, chair
man of the Populists who have COM
bined with the Democrats for free sill
yer, was sent to the convention, but
was denied consideration.
The protest called upon all Popu-
lists to join with the free silver Demo-
Gratis this year in an effort to advance
one of the theories of the Populists.
The platform adopted reaffirmS the
St. Louis and Omaha platforms; de-
clares for direct legislation; for a "suf-
hcient amount of sound and flexible
money" for the issuance of money to
state, county, township and municipal
governments; the principal to be paid
back to the government at 2 per cent
per annum, without interest. The said
money to be full legal tender. The Tenn
pie amendment is Endorsed, a reduction
of freight, passenger and express rates
of salaries of public officers is demand
ed, and the deduction of mortgage in
debtedness from assessed valuations
| is urged.