The morning news., 1897-08-20
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD MEN.
IOWA POPULISTs MEET AND
LAUNCH 4 TICKET.

An Address by ex-senator Pener-He
Tr,res AGAINST Consolidation With
the DemOcrats-The Principles of
tho Two Parties COmpRred-The
Omaha and st. Louis Platforms
RcaAirmed.
Des NIoines, Ia, Aug. 19.-The middle of
tbe road populists held a convention here
ro-9av which was largely attended, about
+ftv counties being represented. A. w. c.
Weeks of Madison county presided; A. L.
Kicker of johnson county was made tenn
porary chairman.
The feature of the afternoon was the
address by ex-senator PETER. He said, in
mart: If recent discoveries of fresh gold
mines should prove as valuable as present
appearances Indicate the silver question
may soon be wholly eliminated from re-
publican discussions, except perhaps as to
tbosa persons whose individual interests
are at stake Silver republicans want more
metallic money and they would probably
be satisfied with gold, if there is enough
OF it.
II is proposed that the populist party
shall do two things; limit the range of
our discussions TO the silver branch of
the money question, and ally ourselves
with the democratic party. These are the
nropositions on which we are divided. 1
am opposed to both of them. l do not
wish to see the peoples party merged in
anv other existing organization, especial
Iv in one too old TO be useful. Nor am
willing without warning and protestation
TO see it made the foot ball of politicians
and bartered away for spoil. l will be
willing to abide by the conclusions of
national conference of delegates duly ap-
pointed and accredited fairly represent
ing all the elements among voters, who
are opposed to the present gold standard
high tariff regime. But until that can
be accomplished the popuist party is
good enough for me. The alliance with
the democratic party in 1896 was only for
the campaign. Now, though we may not
be quite ourselves again, and in our
right mind we are free to determine our
affairs in our own way as party and
individual men. II may be urged that the
democ ratio party has changed its policy
In respect to the coinage ratio. l deny it.
The platform utterance is merely declam-
atory, inserted TO catch the populist vote.
The responsible men of the democratic
Darty have been and are now tenacious
about the ratio. It's candidate for the
presidency, and his associates on the
ticket would as ] verify believe, consent
To any compromise that would secure the
unlimited coinage of silver. No benefit
would accrue to anybody but money
changers and speculatorS from increasing
The coinage ratio and populists see no
reason why money that is good enough for
common people is not equally good for un-
common people. There is nothing in the
democratic platform or that partys policy
which is in any way responsive TO the
pressing demand of the working classes.
- =Fe
are the only matters about which the
democratic and populist parties is even
approximately in accord. AS to all mat
ters which populists regard as funda-
mental and of surprising Importance
we are not only not in accord in. but
are positively opposed to each other.
The following state ticket was placed in
The field;
For Governor-Charles A. Lloyd, Musca-
tine county.
Lieutenant Governor-D. L. Perkins,
lyons.
Judge Supreme Court. A Loneburg
Wapelo
Superintendent Instruction William
Blain, Marion.
Railroad Commissioned. H. Griffith,
Lee.
The following members of the national
committee We're appointed: A. w. c.
Weeks, L. Reed and J. S. Bebe.
protest, signed by J. Bellany chair
man Of the pOpulists, who have combined
with the democrats for free silver, was
sen, to the convention to-day, but was
denied consideration
The protest called upon ali populists to
JON with the free silver democrats this
year in an effort to advance one of the
theories of the populists.
The platform adopted re-afirms the St
Louis and Omaha platforms; declares for
"''et legislation; for a sufficient amount
OF sound and flexible money; for the is
sulnee of money to state, county. town
Snip and municipal governments, the said
money to be a fun legal tender
lHe temple amendment is endorsed the
reduction of freight, passenger and ex-
press rates, of salaries of public officers is
demanded and the deduction of mortgage
indebtedness from assessed valuations is
urged.