The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-04
In REPLY TO WASHBURN.
POPULlST SECRETARY EDGER-
TON LAWS DOWN THE TEN
ETS OF THE PARTY.
OPPOSED 70 A Change OF ISSUE
He Does Not Believe in Dropping Free
Silver Because Another Party
Has Taken 1t Up-The
Day at Canton.

st. Louis, Jan. 31.-National Populist
Secretary j. A. Edgerton Of Lincoln,
Neb, has written q call for a national
conference of populists at Kansas City,
Mo-, February %, 1897, and forwarded
it to Chairman Marion Butler, urging
him to issue the same. About two
weeks ago George +. Washburn of Bos-
ton, member of the peoples party nation
nj committee, issued an appeal to the
populsts of the United States, which was
generally published all over the country.
This practically advised populists to aban-
lon the silver issue and take up the ques-
lion of government issue of paper money
and government ownership of railways.
Secretary Edgerton soon afterwards got
the following letter from Mr.. Washburn
my Dear Mr.. Edgerton-Enclosed !
send you copy of my appeal, which |
issued last week. The Boston Herald
las requested me to secure symposium
OF letters from the leaders of our party,
giving theii views on the proposed change
Ito independent party action, as well as
changing the fighting issue to paper
money and government ownership of rail
ways. 1 will be pleased, therefore, il
YOU will mail me brief comment indi-
eating your attitude in this matter, which
| trust meets with your concurrence.
&c. f. WASHBURN."
In his reply, which is dated Lincoln,
Neb., Mr.. Edgerton says:
.'Hon. George Il. Washburn, Boston,
Mass: My Dear Sir-The people
party has always cOntended for sclentlhc
money. 1t has always cOntended for
the governmental ownership of railways.
No change of the fighting issue is neces-
sary to bring these questions to the 'front.'
so far as populists are concerned.
ut has always cOntended also for the
free coinage Of silver. 1t should not
abandon this issue simply because an,
other party has taken it up, but should
rather support it the more zealously II
should welcome the assistance and would
vie with the newcomers as to VINO shall
give the free coinage issue the most
united and effective support. This party
was the first to raise the free silver stand,
ard Must it abandon that standard
simply because another party has come
TO its support? No, right does not cease
10 be right because it gains new adher-
cnts and to say that we will not advo-
cate a right principle simply because an,
other party promises to share the credit
for carrying it to success seems TO DE
playing the boy. -.
"iThat is too narrow and selfish a course
for the peoples party. There can De
no change of the fighting issue until the
cause is won. The lines of the hight are
already drawn. McKinley's election
was secured by bribery, misrepresenta'
ton and outright fraud. 1t was not the
deliberate verdict of the American PEG
pie The fight must be made over again
and next time it will be won.
II believe that more and more the re-
form sentiment of the country is turning
TO the populst party in its entirety LIS
manly and unselfish attitude in the last
campaign has inspired confidence. =,
II agree with you that the light shouId
Inc nushed. but not that the issue should
he changed and in place of abandoning
one plank and taking the two; which you
propose, 1 would carry on the work Oh
education for: ,;uo
"First-The free and unlimited coinage
of silver at 16 to /.
Second Supplemental issue CT paper
money direct by the government.
"Third- ownership OF rail-
WAYS and telegraphs. Very truly yours 20
""'' u. A. EDGERTON.'