The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-15
AGAINST BARKER.
Texas POpulists Favor w. J.
Bryan For President.

Dallas, Tex, Sept. 15.-The nomination
Of a presidential ticket by the middle
of-the-road faction of the PopuIist par
ty at their late convention in Cincin-
natl was, virtually, the death-kneu of
the Populist party in the south. 1t is
doubtful whether it will have enough
Virility left two years hence to put out
an electoral ticket, and it is very certain
that if it should do so its vote would
be incOnseQuential in every southern
state. Southern POpulists were, almost
to man, recruited from the ranks of
Democracy, and the nomination of
Bryan for president suited them exact
~. The rank and file never SympathiZ-
ed with the effort of the Populist lead
ers to prevent fusion. The chickering's
of the POpulist managers here in Texas
with the Republican campaign commit
tee, which acted under the counsel of
Col Huston of Indiana, demoralized
the POpulist organization throughout
the state and started the stampede
which promises to land a large proper
ton of the PopuIist followers back in
the ranks from which they deserted
The Cincinnati convention has accen-
tuated this return movement. Between
Bryan, the free siIVerite and free trader
and Barker, the free SiIVerite, prOtec-
zionist, and ex-Repu blican, the average
POpulist of the south will not hesitate
in making a choice. The Populists have
mustered as high as 175,000 votes of
their own in Texas. If Mr.. Barker gets
$4,000 votes in Texas against Bryan he
may count himself lucky.
The result of the election of 1896 put
an end to Democratic defectiOns in the
south AS a noun in opposition the party
has rapidly regained it's old place in
the affections of the people. POpuliSt
leaders are no longer able to charge it
with the grave crimes and misdemean-
OrS laid at the door of the federal gov
eminent. The pendulum of Democratic
doctrine swings more freely toward the
views popular with the masses with all
the restraints imposed by national re-
SpOnsibility removed. Thus it happens
that the party which Ben Hill thought
was on it's last legs after Hayes was
installed in the White House is today
stronger in it's ancient stronghold than
it has ever been since the high-water
mark of the slavery issue was attained.
The return of nearly million PoDu-
lists to the Democratic fold, which is al
ready assured in the south, not to speak
of what may happen in the west, cannot
fail to have an important influence up
on the future of the party. It means
the permanent candidacy of the Bryan
element, and that the money question
will be made paramount to the tariff
and all other issues until the country is
given a financial system that goes to
the bedrock so deep that it cannot be
disturbed.
There are about $4,000 gold standard
Democrats in Texas, and perhaps that
element is relatively rs strong in other
southern states. 1t comprises the bulk
OF the business and professional men
who take no active part in politics.
There have not been wanting indica-
lions that these were growing restless
under Bryan leadership. Many of them
kicked out of the harness two years
ago. and if the political conditions of
1896 should be repeated in 1885, the
number of gold boilers will probably be
increased.