The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-05
As to Conspiracy"

AS to "ConSp1racy
To the Editor Of The Los Angeles Herald:
1 see an editorial In the Express Of June
~ headed THE Fusion Conspiracy"
What is conspiracy? According to Mr..
Webster, who is good authority, 1t is
particularly "a combination to commit
treason, or excite sedition or insurrection
against the government of a state; plot"
Having had the honor to be a delegate in
the convention of the Peoples party, which
was open to the public, l am free to say
that whoever claims there was conspira-
cy in that convention is either ignorant of
the facts or willfully prevaricates. 1t was
not the case, The article speaks of 1.-The
pie-eating element whose chief concern
was the spoils of office" l would like to
know If the Republican party does not con-
tain more 'pie-eating element" and seekers
after the spoils of office than any other
political party now in existence or that ever
did exist. They say:
The rejection of the platform first
submitted shows conclusively that the
offices are the chief, the only concern,
indeed, Of the fusionists of all politi-
cal shades. The free silver slogan Is
only bluff, false pretense, polti-
cal Trojan horse, calculated to deceive
honest men.
Was not the Republican party. SO
called, in its early days, made
up of different parties, and were
they not fusionists? And did they
not seek Office from that day till
this? Have they not continually sought
the spells of office, and have they not
spoiled many an office? If free silver Is
Calculated to deceive honest men," how
many of the officials and leading Republi-
cans would it hit? The rank and file
may be honest, and a few Of the officials;
all men are not rascals. But how about
Hanna, his followers and the methods
used? Is there no conspiracy there? how
was Hanna elected to the United States
senate? If the Peoples, party are COLI
spirators what are the Hannates?
If there were any conspirators about our
late convention they must have been out
side and must have done their work prior
to the meeting. If SO, were there not
others involved in the conspiracy as well
us some of the Populists?
What is the matter with the grand old
Republican party? 1t has long since aban-
doned the principles of the founders of the
party Of the patriot Lincoln and others,
many of the veterans are either dead or
have quit the party. 1t is now a party for
the offices, the spoils and what there is
In 1t for them. They made the greenbacks.
destroyed them, and are now worshipers
of gold. their God. They are worse than
he Israelites in the days of Moses and
Aaron. Are they fit to be trusted? They
are not members of our party. What bust
ness is it of theirs whether we fuse or
not?
The trouble with them is, they fear if
the people unite against them that they will
be defeated; won't get any more pie.
We believe in direct legislation, gov
eminent of the people by the people and
for the people," and the way to get that
| carried out is to elect men who honestly
| believe as we do.
| The Republican party objects to fusion
| of minority parties. Yet we have only to
look away to Dixes land where they are
| In the minority, and they are only too glad
| to join in with anybody that would help
them to win and boost them into office.
| They do not object to fusing down there
and am not sure they would not be willing
| to make terms with his satanic majesty
| Would not they be willing to promise some
good, fat jobs at the court house, if we,
the considered conspirators, would only
in some way lend them helping hand?
Consistency is a jewel, but If we want
to find it we must look elsewhere than
among the Republican pie-eaters to find
even a small gem. Yours for union and
victory. j. D. BAILEY,
Los Angeles, July g. 1898.