Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-01-27
PRITCHARD AND POPULISTS
Mr.. Skinner Explains Some Points of the
Senatorial Campaign.
Plans for the Future-A Chance for
the Party in Case Mr.. Mckfnley's
Administration Fails.

Representative Skinner of North Caro-
Ira, in conversation with representa-
tive of The Star today, explained certain
features of the recent senatorial contest
In that state. which he thinks go to JUS
tify the action of those populfst men,
bers of tfe legislature who voted for the
re election of Mr.. Pritchard.
Said Mr.. Skinner: Mr.. Pritchard was
entitled to that support upon three
grounds: Q 1t had been promised to him
at the time Of his first election to the Sem
ate. There was a distinct engagement at
that time that If future election results
were favorable he should be reelected.
The poprlists who supported Mr.. Pritchard
therefore merely lived up to their obliga-
ton. (2) Mr.. Pritchard as senator had
done nothing to forfeit the confidence of
the populists, and C3) his deliverances as
to the course he would pursue in the Sen
ate If reelected were entirely satisfac-
tory
The populists thoroughly understand,
then. that Mr.. Pritchard VIII not support
free silver bill if offered as rider on. or
an obstruction to. a protective tariff bill?'
Certainly. We don't ask him to do
that. In fact, we don't want him to do
that. We are opposed to the putting of
any obstruction whatever in the way OF an
Inauguration and trial of the republican
policy. That party has engaged to re-
store prosperity to the country, and it has
advertised the policy which it claims will
accomplish that result. The people have
voted the party into Office on the strength
of it's promise, and it is clearly entitled
to an opportunity to show what it can do.
We want the republicans to have clear
field, that if they fail after a full and
fair trial they will have no excuse for the
failure. And if they fail, then the popu-
list opportunity will come. The country
in such event will be certain, in my Judg-
ment, to turn to the populist party. The
farl lAd cto
Cleveland, and now if the republicans
fail under Mr.. Mckinley the populists will
be entitled to trial, and l think they'll
get IL in that case
But suppose the republicans DO not
fail?' asked.
.'Oh, well, in that event, they'll be very
likely to succeed themselves. 1t Is Just as
well to face frankly the truth Of the situa-
ton. If Mr.. Mckinley gives the country
satisfactory administration, and prosperity
returns and is prevailing throughout the
land I'm 1900, he will in all probability be
reelected. Any campaign made against a
party highly successful in office and then
intrenched in office would fail The peo-
pies desire for a return of prosperity Is
greater than their interest in any party as
party. The republicans in that case
would win, not because of being republ-
cans. put because they would stand accred-
tied with having brought back good
times
And you want the republicans to have
full opportunity to show what they can
do?"
That is the proper spirit. The repuDl
cans have received commission to go
ahead and put their policies into operation.
If they fail, and four years from now the
populists take office, We shall ask a full
opportunity for putting our policies into
operation. We are willing to do as We
would be done by.
rs there any talk about pOpuliSt ma
tional leadership four years hence?'
That question is secondary now. If the
hour strikes for the populists, the man will
be there. The important thing now Is for
the populists to show the country that they
are not obstructionists in the path of the
expressed will of the people,"