The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-15
ONE AGAINST THE OTHER.
Populists and Democrats in a
Fight for Party Existence.
BEGAN MARY MONTHS AGO.
P0puIist Leaders Say Democrats Are
Trying to Keep Fusion Forces
Together With the Hope That In
1900 n New Party. With Bryan ~
the Leader, VIII Go Into Once
Democrats Will Then Dictate.


Under the apparently unruffisd surface
Of the fusion combination. bitter fight for
very party existence is in animated pro-
gress between the Democrats on c,1e hand
and the Populsts on the other. II began
with the assembling of the legislature of
1885,, when the grizzled veterans IL Popu-
Ism, Greenhackism. and other reform"
enterprises got together in Olympia and
resolved that the integral value OF the Pop
ulist party was about TO be lost in asso-
citation with free wool Democrats, and
that only through prompt action could
they hope to save the organization from
being merged into the Democracy.
Apparently the real story OF that tri-
parti,e conference at Tacoma mas never
been told. 1t now appears that the move
ment initiated by the Populists and which
wes seconded by the Silver Republicans
70 bring the three parties together in joint
convention for the express purpose of
forming one new party was for the purpose
of exposing the Democrats in their posi-
ton. as much as for anything else. 1t is
believed and asserted with vehemence by
Populst leaders that the Democrats are
figuring on keeping the fusion organiza-
ton in its present three-cornered form
till 1900. when. with Bryan to The fore.
they hope to unite the wabbling elements
of fusion under their own party name and
standard, with complete dominance In
party affairs and the distribution of Fed
eral offices in Washington as their reward
# the national ticket is elected.
Populists scent Danger.
Shrewd leaders among the Populists
have long understood the quiet game
which the Democratic manipuators have
been keeping under lock and key. They
saw the first move made last summer when
Deep Creek" Jones. also known as Hard
Times" Jones. called his famous meeting
Of Bourbon statesmen together at Spokane
for the purpose of rehabilitating tie worm
out Democracy and infusng new l.fe into
the organization. The Silver Republicans
and Poulists were not invited. although one
or two prominent members of he found
ing party were permitted TO listen to what
was being said.
This was the first move made by the
Democrats in preconcertod and carefully
planned campaign, as the Populsts believe.
TO preserve their own party Individuality
and secretly 10 undermine ana wreck the
organization maintained by the populis,s
and the Silver Republicans. in order TO
bring their adherents under the starry BAN
ner of Democracy in 1900.
This is the substance OF the proposition
made by the Popul!sts, and supported by
the Silver Republicans AT Tacoma: That
Il consolidated convention Of the three par
ties be held at Enensburg: that delegates
be apportioned as follows, 10 Populists to
:. Democrats and Silver Republicans.
That new party be formed with a new
name, and that committee be chosen TO
manage the affairs of the new party, en-
powered to call primaries and conventions
Of the party. and in general to perform
the same functions as are exercised by the
central organizations of all political par
ties.
1t will be Immediately observed that the
Silver Republicans, many of whom believe
that sooner or later they will be absorbed
by either the Democrats or Popuiis.s, and
ihe latter combined would have a ma 30Y-
~ over the Democrats in the joint con-
vention. The proposition was advocated
by Judge Winsor. Of this city. IN behalf
Of the populsls. and by State Senator T..
". TAYLOR the leader Of the Silver Repub-
leans in Pierce county. for his faction
The Democrats refused TO entertain the
scheme at all Lee Hart OF Seattle on
posed L and finally Hart and Jones an
nOunced that they were not empowered BY
ihs Democratic party 10 consider any such
a proposition and that they " Ould not list
eli further 10 the matter.
Fight for Party Life.
Said a we'll known Popu.ist yesterday:
We are thoroughly informed as 20 every
move that the Democrats are making
They hope 10 impress the Silver Repuh-
Il .tns into their service. but the latter
would rather cooperate with ne. because
;hcr have 40 patience With the free ia lie
theories u IL. H. rlocTats. The matter has
reached this shape. not only has the Pop
clSt party IN Washington been forced by
.i rc urnst5f.ces 20 take active stems II the
,ndividuaI+1y IF the organization Is 10 be
jc23ntljr ed. bat We must persistently and
-, r.ss tjs lis resist the eEerJ4c llnerts Of
th. Dean 3cracy- The Democrats wan: a
fusion this year such as WAS formed in
-. In 1881 they hope to re-nominate
Bryan and stampede the Popuj!sts and Sill
yer Republicans INFO joining with them
snder the ono banner Of Democracy, They
are Offering Us lht. senator and The two
Judges In order IL placajn the populis;s
throughout me state ~ course II we ac-
@eD. these thev VIII be In a position In
900 30 demand :he four electoral votes of
the state for Hryan- II 10 Is elected. he
p.rnccratl. continger; Is in the saddle ana
he Popul.~:s s9ay taks what they can
get"