The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-01-19
SOME OF OUR CONVERTS.

Congressman Harry Skinner didn't
like the tone of THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER last week. He published ar
! interview in the Tribune in which he
shoulders the entire responsibility Of
the fight for Pritchard and for the dis
graceful bolt on the part Of some mem
bers of the Populist caucus. We simply
wish to say that we did not name Mr..
Skinner in connection with those who
are willing to place their souls and
bodies on the altar of goldbuggery for
Office. Col. Skinner holds an Office
now. We presume that Col. Skinner
is simply fighting Senator Butler over
the head of the Populist party for
leadership. But he has found that a
suicidal course, for Senator Butler
happens to be in harmony with the
majority and the best material in his
party in this fight, and will win in the
long run, even if Mark Hanna should
succeed in buying a few members Of the
legislature.
The Congressman says: SIN this
fight l regard The PROGRESSIVE FAR.
MER as an ally and assistant of the
News and Observer to defeat Senator
Pritchard."
Now will Col. Skinner tell US how to
prevent the News and Observer from es-
pousing the doctrines promulgated by
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER3 To be plain
about it, the editor of the News and
Observer is one of our converts. So is
Col. Skinner. The editor of this paper
was advocating reform long before
Col. Skinner entered the arena. OF
course it is hard to keep all our con
verts converted. But in this particular
instance the News and Observer has
added several shining stars to its crown,
while Col. Skinner has backslidden
several hundred miles and has fallen
into ways that are dark as night.
Certainly the News and Observer is
q convert. Didn't the editor of that
paper go to St. Louis and help nomi-
nate Bryan in the Populist convention9
Didn't he claim that Bryan was as
good a Populist as any of us9 Didn't
he stop at a hotel with the North Car,
olina Populist delegationG Didn't he
sleep with a Populist delegate every
night, eat at the same table with US and
sit with our delegation in the conven-
ton halle Col. Skinner will not deny
this.
Well, didn't Col. Skinner fully agree
with Mr.. Daniels at that time3 Didn't
he help nominate Mr.. Bryan for the
Presidency and use exactly the same
arguments presented in his favor by
the editor of the News and Observer?
Who was the ''ally" of the News and
Observer then9 When the Populist
nominee for the Presidency came to
North Carolina who met him at the
Tennessee line and escorted him
through the State, and then on through,
Va, D. O.; Maryland, New Jersey,
New York, Connecticut, r l., and
Massachusetts, Nj. Daniels. When
the election came off Mr.. Daniels and
Col. Skinner voted for the Populist
nominee. They were ''allies" tten.
Beyond a doubt the editor of the
News and Observer is a more consis-
tent convert just at this time than
Col. Skinner, for it is not trying to
elect a goldbug Senator and Col. Skin
ner is making every effort. The back
slider who will try to drag his fellow
converts into the mire is than
the non protesting sinner. Please
don't tamper with our converts. II
the News and ObseIv yer is trying to
live an upright life and atone for the
past, give it a chance, lend a helping
hand.
THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER is read by
thousands of people every week. Many
copies fall in stony places, but if Demo
cratic and Republican sinners can be
influenced, we shall not consider our
work thrown away. The right way is
pointed out. If Col. Skinner and some
OF his misguided and erring associates
will repent before it is too late,
their political bark may not be ship
wrecked on the shoals Of goldbuggery
and go down in everlasting disgrace.