The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-09-01
OUR FORUM
Iowa Communication.


To Your Readers:
In accordance with the privilege ex
tended by the editor of this paper to
each week Iowa political news, submit
the following:
Iowa has ever been the home of fu-
sion. In this state are the factors who
have ever been prominent in laying
plans and connecting plots whereby the
reform party might be united with the
Democracy, the object being to secure
as many lucrative offices as the fusion
would permit. Here we're laid the plans
and here were the prime movers in the
political trade of 1896 These men have
ever masqueraded in the garb of patriot
ism and their watchword has ever been,
Let us place principle above party" but
their secret motive throughout it all has
been let us get all the Offices in sight.
Not satisfied with their shameful work
OF last year, when they traded off Wat
son for congressional and gubernatorial
endorsements and promises of cabinet
positions, they are now seeking to COM
plete their work of the disintegration
OF the Peoples party and the complete
delivery of 1t to the Democracy. On the
23rd OF June convention purporting to
be Populist gathering was convened by
Chairman Belangee, of the fusion COM
| mittee of this state. The call was based
on the Democratic and Populist vote
combined and was SO adroitly managed
as to completely forestall any successful
| action ON the part Of the straight Popu-
lists. This convention endorsed neither
the Omaha nor the ST. Louis platforms
and virtually adopted the Democratic
platform. Indeed, it is currently re-
ported that General Weaver dictated
both of them. The convention also de-
c1ded to place no ticket in the field, but
decided to recommend the voting of the
Democratic ticket. Realizing that this
would mean the determination of the
Peoples party, forty-seven delegates,
representing about three hundred votes,
left the convention, elected A. W. c.
Weeks chairman of the organization,
effected and called a Populist conven-
ton for August 19. On that date about
two hundred delegates, representing
every congressional district but one, met
in Des Moines. Many claimed this to
be the best Populist convention ever as
sembled in the state. Certain it is that
no other convention has ever manifest
ed an equal zeal and an unanimity of
sentiment. For the first time in our his
tory the platform trimmer and flsionist
was absent, and Populist feeling and
sentiment was allowed free rein. The
convention was called to order by
i Chairman A. w. c. Weeks, and Rev.
John Shipp1ey, of the Church of Latter
Day Saints, rendered the invocation.
Temporary Chairman Kicker was then
introduced, who spoke for an hour in
explanation of the movement and then
drew the line of demarcation between
| the Populists and the Democrats. After
the address committees were appointed
and recess was taken until afternoon
On reassembling Senator PETER, of Kan
sas, was introduced and spoke for an
hour and a half on the principles OF
Populism. The senator stated that
from this date no one need misunder-
stand his position. Certainly no one
present would ever misunderstood it,
for his address, while moderate in tone,
was nevertheless a powerful denuncia-
ton OF fusion. After his address Col
Steinberger, member Of the national Or
eanization committee, appointed at
Nashville, was INTRODUCED and gave a
glowing account of the manner by which
the Populits of Ohio had overthrown the
paid agents of Millionaire Mclean
These addresses being finished, commit
tee on permanent organization reported,
! having selected W. B. Emerson, of Cass
county, and L. B. Hanna, of Louisa, as
chairman and secretary respectively.
i Mr.. Emerson, on taking the chair, made
very brilliant speech. He is editor Of
the Iowa Bimetallist. Nominations for
candidates for state offices were then
declared il order. Mr.. Kicker, of Iowa
| City, took the stand and in speech full
of glowing praise, nominated Hon.
Charles A. Lloyd for governor. Mr..
Lloyd is an old soldier of reform; in 1880
he headed the greenback ticket in Ohio
and has twice been a candidate for con-
gress in this state, both times making a
straight fight, while the other districts
were fused. He will make a brilliant
canvass. The ticket was completed by
nominating B. H. Perkins, Of Lyon, for
Lieutenant governor, Captain William
Blaine, CT Marion, for superintendent of
public instruction, J. A. Lowenberg, Of
Wapello, for Judge of the supreme court
and E. H. Griffith, of Cass, for railroad
commissioner. BY rising vote A. w.
G. Weeks was reelected chairman of the
state central committee and later A. w.
Kicker. of Iowa City, was made secre-
tary. The three members of the or
ganization committee were made the
new members of the national commit
tee. This completed red letter day in
the history of Iowa POpulism, noted not
alone for fervor and enthusiasm, but for
the brilliant and able speeches delivered.
| We are now in the field and ready for
active work. In this campaign we will