Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-01-09

was in 1896 that the Populists finally
absorbed the Democratic organiza-
tion of Nebraska.
The disintegration of the alliance
dated from its union for national po-
i litical purposes with kindred farmers
organizations, and the subsequent adj
missions to party councils of the law
yerS and the union labor men. But
while it lasted it presented all the
phases of a religious craze. The men,
berShip included women and boys and
girls over sixteen, and the women
were the live factors at the meetings,
which were held weekly 1t was, in
! fact, the social feature of the meet
ings that held the alliance together.
The program embraced a short bust
ness session and then an old-faShioned
country lyceum and singing school
combined
| The method of campaigning was
unique. Few meetings were schedul-
ed for the towns. but basket picnics
and barbecues were the order of the
campaign. The favorite orators. far
mers in homespun, who had trained
as stump speakers in the old green
back days, were in great demand, but
after politics had been discussed So
cIalbility reigned. The farmers and
their families from miles around
drove to the scene, and as they neared
the rendezvous would organize in pro-
cessiOnS with their banners flung to
the breeze and their voices lifted up
in song, familiar tunes to which rus
I if.h n r1l hn6 f,ch Il
ties. By this means they inspired
the voters, and in solid phalanx these
moved to the polls and voted accord
ing to instructions. At this time
their famous song was Good By. My
Party, Good BY" was heard every
where. 1t is as follows:
1t was no more than year ago.
Good by, my party. good by.
That was in love with my party so.
Good by. my party good by
To hear ought else L ever would go;
Good by. my party, good by.
Like the rest made great blow.
Good by my party, good by
CHORUS.
By. party. by 10; by party. 10;
By, party, by 10; good by, my party. good by.
[ was often scouragei with the party lash
Good by. my party, good by
The bosses laid on with demands for cash.
Good by. my party. good by.
To do ought else deemed it rash.
Good by, my party. good by.
So had to take it or lose my hash
Good by. my party, good by.
was raised up in the kind of school.
Good by. my party. good by
That taught to bow to money rule,
Good by, my party. good by.
And it made me Nebraska fool
Good by. my party good by
When they found was willing tool
Good by, my party, good by.
The old party's on the downward track
Good by, my party. good by
Picking its teeth with tariff tack.
Good by. my party, good by.
With a placard pinned upon its back.
Good by. my party. good by
That plainly states Il will never go back
Good by, my party good by.
But now the alliance is sadly de-
From an organization that
once fearlessly used the boycott
against country merchants and grain
dealers, a boycott that led to the or
itself engaging in the mer-
camille business and building eleva-
tors, it has dwindled to about forty
with a membership of
about 2,200. The officers draw but
small salaries and dues have been
dwindling so fast that it is expected
a formal dissolution will occurr at the
annual meeting in January.
The Nebraska and that of Kansas
were organized at the same Tina, and
it is a coincidence that both will dis
band next month, although the Kan
sas organization once twice as large
IA membership, now consists of but
thirty lodges and fewer than 100
members.
Gladstone reached the good old age
Of 81 Tuesday week ago. and may,
passing the entirely probable
e.