Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-09-01

patty w udb tiCh ~ We ~ AOf VOL
of the old workers were too much dis
couraged to make a fight in the caucuses
and conventions. They saw with amaze
ment that in the election of 1895 that
every one OF the farmers and old alliance
men on the state ticket had been de-
feated, knitted by u allies.
They saw with sorrow that the party
had passed under the control of the most
perfect mrchine EVER perfected in the
northwest, operated by men who have
never even professed to be Populists.
Talk about the machine which is sup
posed TO control your convention. The
best it can do will be to manage and
control one convention of one party. But
the new three-ply perfected machine,
which now controls and manages the
Democratic and two assistant Democrat
ic parties, was able, almost, two years
ago to map out a policy, divide the pros
pective offices, and name the ticket
which each of the three political parties
should nominate.
The only break in the pre-arranged
program was to make the n change OF
commissioner of school and public lands
for secretary of state. There was a wo-
fold object in this, viz: A good many
Populists were not willing to trust their
Democratic allies with any legislative
Office, hence the four state offices of
governor, lieutenant governor, secretary
of state and attorney general, were in
sisted on for Populists.
Again they were in hopes that by in
ducing the chairman of the Mid road
committee, the trusted guardian of the
Peoples party, to betray his trust that
they would destroy the Mid-road move
ment. In this they were successful.
They will be disappointed with the
| result. The Mid-roaders were not in
the movement for offices, but to secure
Legislation. They cannot be traded off
for office for some one else. In due time
they will resent the insult and punish
the betrayers.
BY far the greater number of Mid
readers, however, are SO thoroughly i'm
bued wirh the importance of direct legis-
lation lin favor of which / submit a
brief argument, which | trust will re-
ceive your earnest consideration that
they are willing to make any reasonable
| concession or sacrifice to secure 1t. The
Democratic party having adopted 1t for
the purpose of securing that vote have
at least shown some shrewdness. The
f~usionists viii this year be compelled to
make their campaign on this issue, un'
less you wisely relieve them of that adj
vantage. In that case they will be with
out an issue that will stir the people.
Two years ago their campaign was
made on three issues, viz: Free coinage
of silver, state control of railroads and
corruption of state public officials. The
first will prove a very embarrassing
topic to discuss this year, and the speak.
er who will attempt 1t will have my
sympathy. The second has beer
effectually disposed of, SO far as state
politics is concerned, by the unanimous
Republican vote in favor of it at the last
session of the legislature. The last will
scarcely be mentioned during the pend
ing campaign by prudent fusionis'
speakers.
Consequently II you adopt direct leg,
~islation the fusionists will be stranded
for an issue.
The Republicans of this state gave US
what we at that time considered the
paramount issue, the Australian ballot
law. Now If you will rise equal to the
occasion and give us the great and para
mount issue of reformers, you will retain
the right to the name athe party Of pro
gress," and as a reward win a sweeping
victory.
The surest and quickest way to destroy
a reform party is for the older parties &c
adopt their most popular and meritorius
principles.
BY adopting free coinage Of silver, the
most popular Populist Issue the Demo.
Gratis ~paralysed the Peoples party. BY
adopting direct Legislation, the mos,
meritorious, they will destroy 1t, thus
forcing a new alignment Of It's adherenfs
a majority of whom will 60 to the party
adopting the issue. The unpopular
measures, or measures without merit
will carry the party down with their own
weight.
In conclusion, a few words personal
may not be out Of place. It is a well
known fact that since / severed my afili-
alton with you in 1890, that I have al
ways claimed to be a Lincoln Republi-
can. did not leave you then because
of any personal grievance, for l never
was a candidate for your suffrage, al
though twice combinations were offered
and urged that would have given me the
highest honors In your gift. I left be-