Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-04-15
CALL FOR CONFERENCE.


Tie state committee of the union
party has received many letters from
men in touch with the plain people
in nearly every section of the state
and the universal desire is for union
of forces pledged to reform. l have
recently held personalinterviews with
many men of kindred opinions on this
question and have Travelled from the
Columbia to Southern Oregon, hold
ing counsel individually and collec-
lively, and they all want union of
forces on some honorable grounds. A
conference OF men representing the
principal counties Of Western Oregon
was held at Albany the Sth inst, con-
siSting Of POpulists, Democrats and
Independent Free Silver Republicans.
About twenty prominent men were
present, Including two Democratic
and two Populists state central com
mitteemen and all were unanimous
for union of forces.
There is firm determination
which eliminates in an emphatic
declaration, to avoid personal and
factional politics. AS to United States
senator, the reform people will have
no choice between a man who will
use his great influence to turn the
state into the hands of Mark Hanna
and bind it to his political policies, or
the man who will vote to retire the
greenbacks and issue $500,000, 900 in
bonds. They will have neither.
There is a strong desire on the part
Of all honest reformers, to go to the
people with all propositions in which
practicable action may be had. The
primary system of nominating officers
is wanted, and all who want endorse
ment should make their appeal direct
to the people.
In all conferences held, the desire
for union of forces in primary con-
vention is universal, and though 1
feel justified in asking the co-opera-
tion of the Populist and Democratic
state and county committees, am
not authorized to recognize any prop
osition that does not tend to bring
about direct union of the people at
the primaries.
The union state convention held
here last July was represented in per
son by about 100 delegates from the
counties of Jackson, Josephine, Ma
rion, Clackamas, Polk, Yamhill,
Washington, Multnomah and Baker.
1t was composed of able and thinking
men of all parties. The platform
adopted declared for the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the pres
ent ratio, without waiting for the
consent of any other nation, and the
issue of legal tender paper money by
the general government without the
Intervention of the banks; opposition
to the issue of interest bearing bonds
in time of peace; emphatic opposition
to the gold standard and in favor of a
distinctively American system of
finance.
was appointed chairman of the
state central committee of this union
party and have been carefully watch
ing the trend of events, The time is
ripe for action. Already the work is
beginning; one county sends petit
tion asking that a committee be ap-
pointed consisting of three Populists.
two Democrats and one Silver Repub-
lican to take steps TO call union pri.
maries for the camgaign of 1898. Thi
will be done. Another county has
held two joint conferences to con-
slider the matter. Another asks for a
committee of six, two of each. Sew
eral Others are discussing the ques-
tion and getting ready for action.
This county won decided victory in
1896, by union of forces at the pri-
marles, and will continue solid for
union work.
1t is proposed to call a conference,
composed of three men from each
county, carefully selected from the
three elements of the reform forces,
pledged to union, to meet at Albany
on Ine znd DAY or June, 1897, 10 devise
plan for systematic party organiza-
tion, to adopt a proper statement of
principles, and "to form more per-
feet union" No nominations or dis
cussions of candidates whatever will
be at this conference. The committee
will be glad to receive letters from all
parties interested, and especially reso-
lutions and suggestions from union
meetings, as Uoprinciples and policies.
Newspapers everywhere are respect
fully requested to give this space.
Address, j. @. Cooper, chairman state
committee, McMinnville, Or.
Shipments of California products,
during the calendar year 1896, by rail
and sea, were 30,644 carloads, "a decrease
of 4,421 from the previous year.