The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-09-21

every IOpuIISt III TIC udllOu CAPCCICu W
see ticket placed in the field. It was
a convention expected, and for the most
part instructed, to do business, and the
delegates had no right to 60 home until
that business was done. Second, the
convention did not make nominations
until it had adopted a plan of Organfza-
ton which secured to the rank and file
the fullest possible power to review
their actions. We would refer Bro.
Parker and all our readers to rule IA of
our national plan of organization, pub
lished in another column. We commend
these rules to the careful study OF every
Populist. They are brief and easily re-
membered They are free from ambigu-
ity and will be understood by the mass
es. They do not go into detail, but leave
minor matters to the good sense of the
people. When put into practice they
will be found most complete remedy
for the existing evils of the ordinary
party machine, and will make self-gov-
eminent something more realistic than
a dream.
Under these rules no nomination car
be snap judgment, beyond appeal OF
the power of review On the other hand
any representative body Of men in mass
convention, by petition or otherwise, can
suggest their preference for national
ticket, and it is in perfect acrorI w.,l
SCf o1,>1o hot MIN
should have this privilege. Bro. Parker
speaks of the action of the convention
as outside Of the regular party Organi-
cation and by an utterly misrepresenta-
tive body"
1t must be presumed that he knew
these facts before he left home, and it is
pertinent to ask why he came to Cincin-
natl to take part in such irregular pro-
ceedings We are charitable enough to
believe that he was animated with the
idea that at Cincinnati something should
be done, and in the near future the graf
itude of the party will be freely extend
ed to those who went there and did it.
A careful reading of these rules will
show that a comparatively small num-
Der of Populists may at any time init
ate change in platform, in commit
tees or in nominees for Office. A ma
jority vote of single county may initi
ate a movement that affects state or
nation. Minorities should have this
power Minorities are always entitled
to hearing, if honest and not purposely
frivolous. Neither is this a dangerous
privilege. because minorities will sell
dom initiate that which they believe will
| not receive majority support. The ten
dency has always been to make the init
ative too difficult. In many instances it
! has been rendered useless.
One of our rules adopted declares that
any member of the party proposing flu
sion SHALL upon conviction, be deemed
outside the party. Bro. Parker helped
to pass these rules, and We regret that
| readers as outside the party, and Butler
and his followers as the regular, straight
POpulists. On the whole, and with
these few exceptions, we regard the
above letter as containing great chunks
of good sense. >.
In conclusion, we extend our hearty
thanks to Bro. Parker for his generous
| praise of the platform. and his manly
confession that: Had this ticket and
/ platform been the result Of the delibera-
! tons of a regular and representative
convention, it would have been irresist-
/ ible."
Yes, Populists may yet find it rock
| of safety" A straight Populist ticket is
assured for 1900. The old guard cannot
too soon burnish anew it's weapons of
conflict. Our leaders are indeed worthy
of the steel. They have championed the
cause OF the oppressed. They are enti-
tied to our support until their own acts
shall demonstrate their turning from
the path of true Populism E. AT.