The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-20
WHAT SHALL THE TEST Be?
National Chairman Jones Writes 4
Letter on the Subject.
ANSWER TO Mr.. M'SuL1Y OF TEXAS,
~ n Man ne IN Fun Accord ana SYM
pathy with the Dcmccrstia
Party, let Htw In,

| San Antonio. Texas, February aa.--Mr.
y. +. McNulty, the member OF tho state
executive committee for this senatorial
district. having been imror,aned by num-
crcus democrats TO give his opinion in re-
sard to tho test which will he considered
mt Dallas on tho ed by the committee.
gave out the following today:
There has practically never been but
one democratio test, to-wit Arc you a
democrat and win YOU support the ,.tkct
and platform nominated by the party.
To make any other test would dehar
the party from adding recruits TO It's rams
from other parties. except through sys>
tenn OF ponancc. which would be both
humiliatng and unjust.
We have many democrats sn Texas WIN
take issue with single tenet, via. The
free coinage OF geld and silver at i ratio
encc; some of them perhaps did noe vote
the ticket in the last election, but now
realize that they committed a folly IL lussyS
| ing the party, They may not evea navo
changed their opinion at this time, and
YET desire to affiliate With the party. SUBJ
hitting to tho majority according to I've
good old democratic gospel.
| We have thousands OF populists in Texas.
or at least iion who have aiIiIiated With
the popuiist party. being driven there BY
what they term ABUSES OF their principlss
by both the old parties, who are NOW &C.
sirous OF afiiliating with the democratic
party.
1900 their main chance OF obtite.a.tng Nc
Kinleyism by n sweeping vic.osy lor BIZ
metallism IN the election of w j, Bryan.
| To apply any other test than that sug-
gested, Tor admission to our primaries.
would debar these thousands Of honest cid
democratic farmers and laboring m.n from
exercising their right Of sovereignty in tie
primaries. Such a procedure would lie
Ridiculous and unjust to deserve extended
treatment.
Hero is some correspondence which OK
plains itself:
Hon, James * Jones, Chairman National
Democratic Executive Committee, WASH
ington, ID. G.
San Antonio, Texas, February 10. 1885,
Dear Sir; There are large number Of
populsts in this State who voted for Bryan
and Sewall in the last election who id not
support the State democratic ticket, but
Who WILL II allowed 10 participate IN the
democratic primaries, return TO their form
er allegiance and vote the straight dem
ocratic ticket hereafter. The democratic
State executive committee, OF which attn
u member VIII meet on February 20 To fix
u time for the State convention and to
pr0mulgate rules governing primary elec-
lions and conventions. and an effort VIII
be made by extreme party men to make
past allegiance a requisite for participating
in the primaries.
-, lnta In rA N
the qualifications that shall be required
for participation In the primaries, and what
test other than to promise to support the
ticket and platform. II any. should be
exacted / will greatly appreciate your
prompt attention.
Remembering pleasantly our meeting at
St Louis several months ago. with great
respect ! am your friend,
n. #. McNuhy.
Member State Executive Committee,
Hon. h. +. McNnl'y, San Antonio. Texas.
Democratic National Committee, office
OF the Chairman. OLE NJ Street N. w.
Washington. February a. 1898. My Dear
Sir: Your favor Is received aud has been
carefully read. In reply to yonr question
as TO what would be proper test for the
admission Of persons to participate In tho
democratic primaries, 7 have 10 say that
the main question. in mis- opinion, Ia, us he
a democraf?" and not How long has he
a
political utilization have been infrcquent
and slow and such changes have inspired
some degree Of disirlist and wish 10 wait
and see If such change was one Of prin-
ciple and permanent before recognition AZ
a democrat In eood standing, The clear.
distinct issues made In 1896 had the effect
TO send TO the republican party many men
who had before been democrats. All these
were gladly received by the enemy and II
has been claimed that they turned tho scale
in their favor. Tho same issueg had naiur- |
ally the effect of bringing to us many
persons who had not before boon with us.
and it seems to me good party policy to
receive them as cordially as the republicans
received those who went TO them
There can, 70 my mind he no doubt Of
the sincerity Of tho great body of those who |
come to uH on present issuesi hence I ece |
no reason for submitting the question of
their sincerity 10 any sort OF test II / be- |
leve man 10 be In fun accord and sym
pathv with the democratic party and that |
he would act with the party hereafter. | |
should not hesitate 10 recognize him as a |
democrat in good standing and entitled To |
all the rights and privileges OF other dem |
ocrats
hope TO have the pleasure Of meeting |
YOU again In tho future az pleasantly az |
in the past, think tina. politically things |
are moving very nicely. All those who are
cordially In favor Of blmetailism think |
will be found acting together IN opposition
TO the republican party In the election next
fall. and that this is but the sl6lfmish line
OF 1900. Very truly yours.
James X. Jones. Chairman. I
concur. Stephen VI. white
Chairman OF the Democratic Congressional
Committee.
THE OTHER SIDE.
.