Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-11-03

best IL can do Will be 10 manage AM
control one convention of one party. bu
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 a out a policy, divide the pros
pectiye offices, and name h ticket
which each of the three political parties
should nominate.
The only break in the p~re-arranged
program was to make the one change Oh
commissioner of school and public lands
for secretary of state. There was a two
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 ann be traded on
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 I trust will re-
ceive your earnest consideration that
they are willing TO make any reasonable
concession or sacrifice Ia secure II. The
Democratic party having adopted II for
the purpose of securing that vote have
at least shown some shrewdness. The
~fusionists will 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 it will have my
sympathy. The second has been
thtCtudilN ul,DDSth VI. 81 iai as a
politics is concerned, by the unanimous
Republican vote in favor of il at the last
session Cf the legislature. The last will
scarcely be mentioned during the pend
ing campaign by prudent ~fusionist
speakers.
Consequently If YOU adopt direct leg
~islation the f~usionists will be stranded
for an issue.
The Republicans of this state gave US
what we AZ 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 "the party of pro-
gress,n and az a reward win a sweeping
victory.
The surest and quickest way { o destroy
a reform party is for the older parties to
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 most
meritorious, they will destroy il, thus
forcing a new alignment of its adherents,
a majority of whom viii go 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. AZ is a well
known fact that siaCe | severed my afili-
alton with you in 1850, that | have al
ways claimed to be a Lincoln Republi-
can. | did not leave you then because
OF any personal grievance, for / never
a candidate for your suffrage, al
though twice combinations were offered
and urged that would nave given me the
highest honors in your gift. / left be-
cause | then believed the principles for
which | contended could be the sooner
secured through the organization of a
new party built upon those principles.
In the organization and building up Of