Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-02-03
FUSION DISCUSSED.
What the Macon County Democrats
Think About 1t.

Wn2G q .04c0U O0unby Uomocf8G8f
THINK About 1t.
MACON, No., Jan. 31.-Ever since
the question of fusion between the
and Populist parties In
Missouri has been under discussion
the leading Democrats Of this section
have manifested much interest in
the matter, and the prominence given
the subject at the meeting OF the
State Democratic Committee at st.
this week intensiied the In
terest feit here. A Republic repre-
sentative submitted the following
questions toa number of Democrats
who are andhave been prominent in
the councils of Democracy:
/. What do you think of the ques-
ton Of fusion between the Democrat
ic and Populist parties now under
discussion throughout the State?
2. If you favor fusion, how many
State offices would You be willing to
give to the Populistsf
Answers were received as follows: |
Hon. Web M. Rubey, Representa-
tive, Macon county: I think this sub
ject needs no discussion at this time,
and discussion ought to stop right
now. The highest object of parties
ought to be to conserve the public
good. Patriotic men hold the good
of the country always superior to the
spoils of office. I am willing to trust
the good men of the Populist party
to decide what they ought to do when
the time comes for action. No sensi-
BILE Populist expects the great or
ganized Democratic party of this
state, or OF the nation, to disorgan-
ice OF fusesas q condition upon which
Popuiists may vote with it, When
the time comes, il the Democratic
party stands unequivocally for the
unconditional, unlimited coinage of
silver as standard money, I believe
that populists who 9 no hope for
their organization to accomplish these
ends and who do see hat there Is
hope of these things in the Demo-
cratic party will not make their
utilization with the Democratic party
depend upon the loaves and fishes
they may get out of it.
A. J. Glenn, Sheriff of Macon coun-
ty: "I am opposed to fusion. Pop
ulists who believe the Democratic
platform of 1896 to be right, owe it to
themselves to join hands with the
Democratic party and assist in ap-
plying these principles to the admin
istration of our Government and full
share in the rewards of victory. Al
for those who do not believe our plat.
form to be right, ! am opposed to al
efforts to bribe them to vote for wha'
they do not believe to be right:
whether the bride be offered In cssh Of
Offices"
J. J. Heifner, editor Times, leading
Democratic organ: "The Chicago
!, platform is broad enough for all fret
silver men to stand on. That plat
, form is Democratic. Men who seel
Office must subscribe to it's principle
, and name. I am opposed to fusion II
; the sense that the great Democrati
; party of Missouri be compelled t.
surrender it's name and offices T.
some other party. II the Democrat
Convention sees fit to give one o
more of its nominations to a free sill
yer Republican or Populist, I woul
not hold their former political opin
ions against them. But they mus
run as Democrats and upon no othe
condition would / admit them"
u Ben r. White, associate editor {
> the Times: "My opinion is that
there are any free silver Republican
or PopuIists, who want places on th
democratic ticket, they should ents
!. the race with the Democratic cand
y dates and fight for the nominatio
the same as anyone else. A life-ior
= Democrat has to fight for q nomin'
u ton and why should not q Populisti
Hon. w. II. Sears, ex- State Senate
am opposed to fusion between Il
democratic and Populist parties.
% means the abandonment of old-tin
Democratic principles for the sake
" offices. We have had enough of th
already.
~ VIM. Ward, Circuit Clerk of Mace
y county: No fusion. Let the tail
with the hide. P. 8. They vote o.
ticket just the same.
Harry Howard, editor Macon Der
= ocrat: Since the adoption OF the la
national platform practical reforme
" among the Populists have virtual
= been with us. l 9 nothing lnconsi
tent in fusion, and believe it would
the best policy. The Populists shou
be fairly represented.
lie Col. Henry M. Powell, one OF t
rt wsalthiest farmers in North Nilsson
p. a Populist, who was a delegate In {
nd National Populist convention at
IT. Louis in 1896, and who worked ha
ng for Bryan's Endorsement in that CO
vention, says: "I am for fusion, pl
W, vided we get some of the pie.
Judge r. 8. Matthews, for II ye'
Judge of Probate Court of Mac
Or. county: Fusion is reprehensibie
any party in which principles taui
&C. are not common. 1t has the appe'
ance of q freebooter to honest think
W. men. In the end nothing can
~, gained, but much is lost. When p
ties who do not have the same prin
j.. pies OF government in common fu
/. the honest voter must conclude Il
the incentive is the leaves and fish
rather than to teach and promulg
the correct principles of Governms
zen Populism as set forth In Populist pl
forms and taught by the leaders
tpasefnhiisan gone to seed, and, IL
ogs lowed to It's inevitable results, VIC
90 sooner or later bring the gevernm
Ok to q condition of feudalism similar
that of the middle ages. In the n
ogs of every true Democrat there she
be one thought-irst, honesty OF 7
pose and the enunciation Of {
IL n