The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-30
The Scrappers.
Editor Representative


Two weeks ago nearly all my roosters
commenced "scrapping" Why they
should do so 1 was at loss to account
for; but upon close observation 1 have
concluded, owing to the unusually mild
weather for this season of the year, they
concluded it was about "bugging" time
and no doubt were practicing their
"scrapping' abilities, preparatory to
their change from grain feed to one
Of bugs and worms. as it requires active
hustling abilities to make a success in
that line
Upon reading Bro. Longs letter in The
Representative Of the 18th, l seemed to
see a similarity between the scrappers
he speaks of and my ROSTERS. There
was no special need Of my roosters
scrapping except for letting out some of
their surplus energy while waiting for
the bugging season; so with the scrap
pers In the Peoples party, except that
human beings should know better.
Chairman Gibbs call Of March
IL should show every true re-
former he has ample oppor-
tunity to exercise all his scrapping ahil-
tiles upon the gold bug" and the gold
bug party and the "silver bug" too, If
he gets in the way Of true reform. Any
reformer who fails to work from this on
for true reform should be classed with
the "humbug," the worst bug of all.
The Peoples party state convention
has called a convention June Is to NOM
mate full state ticket; the convention
is called earlier than usual owing to
the unsettled and demoralizing situation
we are in as to getting place upon the
"official ballot" There is no question
but our safest plan Is to go on by petit
ton, this condition of affairs is all I
can see we gained by our action of go
1t seems all who are pleased over this
condition Of affairs can consistently adj
vocate our making fools of ourselves
again. l am not Of that class.
All intelligent people admire honest,
manly courage, and when they become
dissatified with their surroundings and
associations in a party, will naturally
turn and align themselves with the par
ty that most courageously and honestly
opposed the wrongs they became dissat-
isfied with.
If ever condition existed justifying
| the establishing of a new party. those
conditions still exist and any party or
ganiZed against such conditions should
! maintain its independent existence until
| 1t fulfils its mission by establishing
| such changes as arc so badly needed.
| In 81 all reform forces were appealed
to and urged to attend the conference at
| Cincinnati, the numbers and earnestness
of those who attended that conference
should satisfy the most sceptical that
they were honest, earnest men; the same
can also be said Of the convention held
at st. Louis In 1899, and at Omaha July
4. 1892. At thiu last Stage Of the figh,
we find leaders unknown in reform al
that time proposing a line of action that
prompts them to brand all opponents tc
1t as traitors, mid-roaders, Hannacrats
Jim Hill agents, ETC., are these wise
leaders? Can united reform force b<
gathered under their leadership, Fol
one say emphatically, no. It does mo-
awaken my admiration to listen to an,
one tell what struggle it was for HIN
to leave either Of the old parties: theil
| record for the past twenty years and til,