Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-01-08
"StTaIght Popu|Ism'"
Hon. R. P. Boise Is for Fusion.
Also an Interview With Silver Repub-
Iican and Democrat.

70. p. GOOdall Of state Board OF Equal
iZatIon in La GraDde Daily Observer.
With your indulgence, / would like
TO say a few words on the subject Oi
fusion OF Populists, Silver Republi-
cans and Democrats. From the best
information can get, though l haye
bad but little opportunity Of meeting
POpulists, the tide seems to be very
strong toward fusion, though most OF
those ] have heard advocating fusion
are Republicans and Democrats. |
mad quite conversation with Judge
| II. p. Boise, whom have always con.
sidered a good and true POpulist. He
favOrs fusion, On the Omaha plat
form, with fair division Of candi-
dates for state officers, 90 basis Of
two POpulists, one Silver Republican,
| and one Democrat. The candidates TO
be agreed upon by Joint committees.
I told him our Republicans in the
eight judicial district we're all Nc
Kinley RedublIcans, and that we
could not depend on the Democrats
to fulfil any promise, and that L was
sure that a clean cut, straight pop
ulist ticket In the three counties and
districts would command more votes
than a fusion ticket. He said that
being the case, he would advise. by
all means. straight local ticket,
but gave as his opinion that straight
populist ticket, for state and con
gressional officers, and in most Of the
counties OF western Oregnn, simply
insured defeat. and that IL was so
imperatively demanded that the vii
lainOusly cOrruptI Republican party
should be defeated at the next elect
ion, and honest state officers and
members CT tn. legislature elected,
making it possible to enact some
remedial legislation, and have an
accOU ting OF the public moneys, and
restrict corrupt appropriations that no
eaI nest sincere reformer could afford to
oppose a union of forces of reformers.
and he that did would be open TO
suspicion OF having been unduly iu-
huenced. He pointed out the fact
Juat the Republicans we're deeply in
terested In preventing the union Of
forces Of the reformers, and could,
and would undoubtedly pay we'll TO
frustrate that movement, And the
further fact that some OF the leaders
Of the of-the-roaders were
in close touch, and had frequent con-
situations with the chief schemers OF
one faction Of the Republicans, and
have nOtoriOusly occupied that posi-
tion since the memorable hOldup, and
are openly charged with being cor
rupted TO perpetrate that revolution
airy act, to the great discredit OF the
populist party.
On the other hand / have had fire.
quent Conversations swith Mr.. e.
Hofer, OF the CAPITAL JOURNAL. who
says he is Silver Republican, and he
Is the most prominent leader. He
has not imbued me with great faith
In the sincerity OF his professions for
reform, but rather Of his great ambi-
tlon for personal aggrandizment. He
faYOrs short platform declaring for
the free coinage Of silver aud gold at
the present ratio Of l6 To /, with, as
he says, mod fled system Of refer
endum, but not the initiative. In an
animated conversation he declared
that II the Populists should act so un-
reasonable and selfish as to defeat a
union OF rcformerS. that he should re
turn to the Republican party?
ask him whether he thought he had
really left the Republican party.
When he SAID, no, he was "A
Silver Republican. And Judge Crow
ell Of Jackson county, very
nice gentleman, who talks reform
quite huently with considerable ap-
pearance OF sincerity, who is
making manly fight to secure
Just assessment on that monopoly the
Southern Pacific, who Is the choice OF
Bryan Democracy Of Southern Oregon
for governor 10 the coming election,
says he favors most OF the demands OF,
the pOpulst platform, thinks the
three divisions OF the reform party
should maintain their organizations,
but should vote together at the next
election, Now what valid objections
can earnest reformers who believe in
most OF our declarations of principles
offer 10 coming into our party, when
they so much desire success DO they
wish the mountain 10 come to the
mouse The idea OF fusion is very re-
pugnant To me,
I'VE did not get the impression
from conversation with Mr.. Goodall
that II r was opposed TO fusion. He
Is a sincere and earnest refOrmer so
far as we know but some OF most