The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-01-05
Personal MISUNDERSYAND ING

N ne
A serious dispute has arisen between
two OF our leading Populists, Mr.. Bate
| man, of Maine, and Mr.. Geo. F. Wash
burn, of Massachusetts. We regret to
see it. Brethren should dwell together
| in harmony.
MIR. Bateman charged that Mr.. Wash
burn was "Fusionist," and had sold
out the Peoples party of his state to
the Democrats. To this Mr.. Wash
burn replies in the following very con-
elusive fashion:
am
DDLE-OF-THE-ROAD POPULIST
and Mr.. Bateman knows it, When he says
| turned the Peoples Party Of Massa chu-
sets over to the Democrats he tells a
deliberate falsehood I sent him copies of
the daily papers giving facts to the con.
trary
In considering the action Of the Massa-
chnsetts POpulists 1t must be borne in
mind that the situation here last fall when
our state convention was called closely
resembled the dilemma which confronted
US when Bryan was nominated by our
party. First, the silver Democrats had
entire control Of their party and offered
our party representation on their ticket.
was the nearest approach to Populism that
any state Democracy had made; third Mr..
George Fred Williams the Democratic
candidate was very popular in our party
IN many respects he more nearly resembles
Bryan than any other public man. He is
an orator Of great force and elouuence.
and is, in principle, / believe as good
Populist as Mr.. Barker: therefore MANY
feared he would make great inroads in our
ranks.
Of
gone over to the Democrats for the osten-
Sble purpose of forcing them to adopt a
PopullSt platform, and a reward for
their partial success, they claimed the sup
port of the Populists. One half of our own
people were fusionists. including every man
VINO had been our candidate for governor
as we'll as all the old state chairmen sec
retarleS and national committeeman from
Massachusetts, excepting myself The lead
ers were nearly all on the fusion side.
L mention these facts that you NAV SEQ
how badly handicapped we were We not
only had to contend against the prestige.
leadership and money of the silver move
ment, but also against one-half of our own
people Against this almost overwhelming
influence our little band Of middle-of-the-
road popullots stood like Spartans, and
nearly won the day.
A Few days before our State Convention
announced. through an interview in the
Boston papers, that l should oppose fusion
WITH the Democrats. In the convention |
was chosen temporary chairman and smoke
in opposition to fusion citing tho ox
fe1lence of the ereenback party. The Con-
Fe1ltlon was about equally divided and
from noon till night the war waged botIv
IN question. l spoke against fusion several
tunes, and when the vote was finally taken
| it stood 81 in favor to ~ :Hainst
Tho Executive Committee of nine NOM.
ptrs was given pcntry power to arrange
win the Democrats. 1t became neces-
sary for me to either obey the mandate IF
the Convention resign. The latter ia
W HAT OUR FUSION FRIENDS
WANTED
as had Just won the Craftsmanship in on
position to a leading fusionist
he hight was then transfe to +ho
Executive Committee. My name was pro-
posed (among Others) to 20 on the Demo-
cratic ticket but l quickly Withdrew il .nd
voted, and insisted on having my vote re-
ccrded as against every step in the drec-
tlon OF alliance with the Democrats
voted against our meeting their Committee.
against fusion Of any kind. against proros
ing names of Populists for the Democrats
ticket. and. finally, after the Democrats
had adopted almost Il Populist PLATFORM
and had nominated the nearest approach
TO Populist they had, and then nominated
three POpustS on their State ticket
voted against ratify their action on prin-
clp!e, rallied the middlc-Of- the-road MEM
hers' ana almost won, the vote stood :
in favor and against. We took no part
whatever in the campaign and were not
identified with it,"
1t would require great deal of very
strong proof to make us believe any
thing discreditable or disloyal of Mr..
Washburn.
Let us close up the gaps, and forgive
all honest differences of opinion.
But we don't think the men Of 1776
out Of magnanimity, should have dis
placed George Washington and nut
Benedict Arnold in command OF the
continental army. Id