Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1898-08-18
An Appeal to PopuIisfs.

ward statement to the Populsts OF Idaho On March
18th, meeting Of the State central committee was
held under call issued by Chairman Blake. 1t is
commended by some that but a minority Of the coun
ties OF the State were represented and no claims
that than eleven out Of the twenty one counties
had representation at that meeting. On this point
At this time argument will be made beyond the
statement that even though quorum present
the meeting not entirely representative Of the
Populist sentiment of the State For the purpose Of
this srtlee the validity Of the meeting is admitted.
Our object is to direct attention to what done
rather left undone on that OCCASION
We night say that convention of the Peoples
party was called to meet at Moscow the 9Th Of
August, and that the work of the committee
Now let what they failed to do at that
meeting.
The other silver parties were not consulted as to
whether the time and place selected would suit them
they were not invited to meet with and our com.
mttee refused when so requested TO appoint sub
committee for that purpose but they given to |
understand that their presence not desirable. |
Under this state OF affairs dangerous order Of things
grew up The Democratic and Silver Republican |
committees met and called their conventions to meet
In Boise City on the oath Of August, We believe this
was the result Of the snub they received from orr
| committee. When they sent committee to call on
| the Popusts and invite them 10 meet with them
they were informed that their invitation could not
be accepted. From this il will be seen that we not
only failed to invite the financial reform forces u the
State to cooperate with but we declined their in
vtation.
This, and not the calling OF the second convention,
threw the party into confusion.
What followed? In counties Populists pro
posed uniting with the Democrats leaving the Silver
| Republicans out In one county they proposed to
unite with the Silver Republicans leaving the Dem.
ocrats out and in another county a fusion with the
straight Republicans was advocated In many coun.
ties it was proposed to ignore the committees call
and send delegates to meet with the Demo
Gratis and silver Republicans at Boise Al this was
the result of the first call it threatened the ruin Of
ropulism in Idaho To restore order, 10 bring regu-
arity out Of chaos that reigned everywhere in our
ranks, the committee was convened second time
Agreeable to call OF Martin Jacobs secretary Of the
State committee it met in Boise City on the 10th
day Of july OF the p counties Of the state 10 were
represented either in person or by proxy and where
proxies were given the questions in dispute had
been discussed In written communications so that all
fully informed as to the nature o. the issue No
more representative meeting Of the State committee
was ever held by avote of twelve to seven Boise
was substituted for Moscow and August the 9th vas
fixed on as the date. As Chairman Blake had settled
in remote locality ON the headwaeers Of the Clear
water river, far from either railroad or Geographic
communication, and as 1t was necessary to expedite
the work of the committee, he was removed and W
II. Taylor Of Canyon county elected chairman in his
stead. In doing this no insult was intended for Mr.
Blake In this way the Popuiists were placed in
harmony with the other silver organizations The
good effect of this action was Immediately felt all
over the State The sentiment in favor OF union OF
the forces assumed the velocity Of a tidal wave.
The unpleasant friction that heretofore existed at
once disappeared 1t was feared at one time that
North Idaho vas welded to a middle of.theroad
movement When the situation was explained to the
PopuIsta in that section OF the state county after
county fell into line and with the same loyalty that
chaacterzes their brothers IN the south they have
declared Tor free SILVER and financial reform
To this happy and unified condition there is one
exception. a small group Of political wreckers in
Boise CITY covered the State with foul literature, in
which the movement to unite the silver forces Was
beittled ana those engaged in the work violently de
nounecd. They said, That any change would be
the original call and that the committee could not
nullify the voice and the action Of the people
After taking this position, T II Blake, exchair
man, on his own notion and without authority from