Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-02-15
=s=ss From DR.. Johnso11::=


L have not discussed the question of
fusion or anti-fusion in the TRIBUNE.
The reason is that I do not wish to
urge my views on the populists of
of Kandiyohi county. l am however
and have been, ever since I Joined
the peoples party four years ago,
a loyal and consistent populist.
In 1893 the peoples party represented
the most enlightened and progressive
principles Of the day. I felt it my duty
to step up and give the party my sup
port.
Two years ago the famous fusion
arrangement was perfected. The peo-
pies party national convention en-
dotsed the democratic ticket. This
was inevitable and was submitted to
with good grace by the peoples party.
But the democrats were not satisfied
with national fusion, but also wanted
state fusion, and local fusion all along
the lines. The arrangement perfected
in this state involved nothing more
nor less than the utter destruction>of
the peoples party organization.
|, for one, objected to this then.
Many populists who did not UNDER
stand the real meaning of this dea
blamed me, and even accused me of
treachery to the party. But the thing
that predicted two years ago as the
result OF this fusion deal has happened:
The peoples party is dead, has no
legal existence, and is not mentioned
in the official political record of the
state. 1t is true that we have a So
called central committee but it has no
legal standing under our election laws.
The minute that the peoples party
state convention endorsed the nomi-
nees OF another party for Offices it lost
its identity. All this talk about pre-
serving the peoples party in this state
by men who favor fusion is simply
dust raised to fool simple minded pop
ulists to keep still until the procession
has passed.
The question now is whether the
peoples party shall be re-organized,
that is whether steps shall be taken to
hold convention, nominate ticket,
and put it on the ballot by petition.
There is no question that the rank
and file of populists in the state are
middle-of-the-road populists. But the
question is whether there is any use
of form ing reform parties at all? A
few wire-pullers in Minneapolis de-
stroyed the peoples party in 1896
without anybody knowing about it.
Why cannot this tn ing be done again,
and again, and so on, and what is the
use to waste time on an impossible
project.
: In either event, whether the popu-
lists re:organize Independently or not,
they, will be the balance of power in
the state just the same. The fusion
lists have killed our party but they will
find that populists will vote as they
please when election day comes, and
tbay}w not be buldozed to walk like
voting cattle at the crack of any body s
whip.
Itis my candid opinion, and time
will show whether I am correct or not,
that the democratic party has cut it's
own throat by aiding the fusion lead
'ers OF our rank to side track the old
populist leaders and break up our
party.
Talk as we may about voting for
principles irrespective of partisan af-
tiliation political parties are a necces-
sity under our political system to car
ry measures of legislation through.
And party utilization is the growth OF
years. When broken up the elements
scatter in all directions and drift back
to their former elements. Now three
fourths of the peoples party were for
merly republicans. If the party is not
resurrected one-half if not more of the
.populists will go back to the old party.
And if the whole political issue on
both sides is merely to elect somebody
to Office irrespective of hope of any
real reform what matters it anyway
what ticket a man votes? Then all
there is in politics is simply for every
man to vote for his friends whenever
fOln6 That seems IN tho an1 and oh.
ject of politics now.
The meeting of the committees al
Minneapolis this week will likely settle
the fate of the peoples party of Min.
nesota. Either way suits me. have
had all [ want Of politics. I came tc
that conclusion some time ago.
The part::I have taken in the late
meetings have been at the urgent re.
quest of old populist friends whose
feelings in this: matter I sympathiz@