The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-08
WHAT TO DO.
SuggestfOns From Leaders.

Suggestions From Leaders,.
This will be our last issue before the
convention of June 18th, and will there
fore contain our last word to our read
ers, before that important occasion.
Our own feeling is that the party
should give up all idea Of securing the
state Office, and push the work of pros
elyting, until we have votes enough TO
elect our entire Populist ticket, without
any fusion" with any one.
1t will help the cause of reform little
or nothing to squeeze few of our men
into fat places. by discordant combina-
tons and compromises.
We remember how, some years ago,
ments-Alliance men, Democrats and
Republicans. Neither alone could Or
ganiZe the house or senate; and so,
perforcc, the Alliance men and the
Democrats held joint caucus, and div
ided the legislative offices between them
and organized both houses But the sub
seGuent results were anything but salts
factory. Mr.. Champlin, the fusion
Democratic speaker, made an outrage
Gus ruling in behalf Of the railroad cor
porations; great many Of our new al
lies sold out to the same corrupt influ-
ences; while others denounced and
blackguarded those of us who stood by
Alliance principles; and the session
closed in general row. The result
was great setback to the cause of re-
form in this state from which we have
not yet fully recovered. AS party we
would have been better off if we had
refused to combine with either of the
old organizations and had compelled
them to write and assume the RESPONSE
bility fer the failure of legislation which
followed
1t seems to us that the People !
Party should be nothing but the Peo-
pies party; with NO entangliug aili-
| ances or side attachments. It's oDje>
should not be to secure Offices but con
verts; and when we have got enough Of
tuCoO tAC OIiINSS VIII IOliOW
enough; and we will have nc half-br
refCrmers hanging On to our coat-tails,
to disgrace us by the weakness of some
and the corruption Of Others
But the trick Of the fusionists, in pro-
viding that all three parties, Populists,
Democrats and Free-Silver- Republicans,
shall hold their conventions, in Mime
apolis, on the same Gay, has imported
new elements into the controversy. We
shall find next week two CT taree thou
sand active and shrewd politicians,
among and around us, Offering us place
and power, if we will only fall down
and worship them. And among our own
people there will be many who will
honestly feel that we should secure the
Offices if we can; and that it is wrong
to reject any alliance that promises sue
cess.
Hence the question arises, and should
be fairly considerable there any way
| by which the dominant party in Mime
sofa can be defeated that will not in
volve the destruction or injury of the
| Peoples Party.
We get many letters on this topic ana
make extracts.
| All Populists know Mr.. Andrew D.
Stewart. of Redwood Falls. farmer. ora
tor and an honest young Scotchman-
one of the best men in our state. He
writes in a private letter from which we
quote the following:
4 am opposed to fusion Do rot think
that an independent course will compel
! Democrats to indOrSe US. This is the course
they adopted in the last national campaign
and against which we vigorously protested.
We can't go to the Democrats. The Dem
perfume to abandon names of both par
tiese and organize nov one upon a plat
form enunciating the cardinal principals of
! cracy. This is the only course upon which
! we can tremendously unite. Without its
adoption the reform forces of the state will
the leaders advocate this idea it will win.
l fear that your splendid generalship will
greatest crisis. unless you adopt this sug-
gestion as final resource.
l note what you say that we afford to
| be liberal as to candidates but not as tC
principles; and l indorse the same. The
difficulty of this scheme is that we may Sc
lect the wrong candidates in case the Dem
! ocracy refuses to indorSe.
| If 1 go to the state convention l shall
oppose fusion, but advocate the idea of q
new party. Will you support the propo
sition in case the fusion forces threate
to submerge us? If you will 1 shall attend
the convention; otherwise 1 shall pillow corr
Let me hear from you.
! Yours truly.
A. b. STEWART
We have written Mr.. Stewart to b.
sure to be present at the convention, OF
tho 18th inst, and give the party TIL
benefit of his suggestions. I'm a multi
tude of councillors there is wisdom
We have also received another privat
letter, from one of the ablest and mos
popular members Of the Peoples Party
a gentleman whose opinion will hav
weight with every Populist in the stat
we refer to Mr.. Thomas ]. Meighen, O
Fillmore Co. He says:
II have been thinking over our situation
| IN this state; and 1T occurs to me: why no
| propose to the Democrats, Silver-R epubli
We will join them in supporting a ticket
| headed independent" the Populists to b
treated fairly as to the personnel of tn
ticket; we to retain our organization an
names. adopt our own platform. etc.
seems to me this would overcome man
objectionable things. II this ticket wins
| it is not victory for Democracy. IF l,
IS BEATEN THE PEOPLES PARTY
NOT DESTROYED.
This would not be fusion and no more
fhon with