The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-03-23
greatest number, sometimes termed the

greatest number, sometimes termed the
law of public policy.
Why then, have all these factions been
pulling each separate string leading in
the same general direction. We be-
lieve the cause lies largely in the personal
ambition of leaders. There would really
seem to be little reason why such men
as Harvey. Debs, Altgeld, Pingree.
Waite, Pennoyer, Norton, -Dounelly,
Watson, Barker and as many more
great leaders and men of national prom
inence could not get togther and co-ope-
rate for the accomplishment of the
above mentioned common ends. Instead
Of these leaders starting each
an Independent order suppose
they adopt the tactics of
the plutes for just one experimental trip.
If millionaire manufacturer wants
cooperation he dictates circular letter
to the other leading manufacturers in
his line suggesting the pooling Of in
terests in trust and the thing is quick
ly DONE The same is true of the ma
tional banking interests. Now, let us
suppose that one of these prominent po-
litical leaders dictates political letter
Of similar import to twenty-five to fifty
other prominent reformers, proposing a
sort Of political trust, pooling so to
speak, Of political interests for the build
ing of a broad and liberal platform of
principles and placing upon that plat
form men instead of money. II such
trusts or pooling of different interests are
possible in the business world then sure
ly it should be possible to harmonic
rival interests in the political world.
Leaders should take the initiative in
this matter and failing to do so the
masses should force those leaders with
unworthy ambitions to the rear. Popu-
lists believe in trusts. but they want
those trusts to extend membership to
every citizen, collective ownership Of
public utilities is the name by which we
are pleased to call such trust. What
a grand nation we would have, how
proud we would be to call ourselves
Americans, citizens of a nation under
the leadership once more Of men in
stead of money. Similar IDEAS have
been entertained by many of our corre-
spondents. l.. c. Long recently sug-
gested it. F. D. Culver, IN this issue Of
The Representative, suggests it, Many
others have had in mind something Of
the kind. Honest fusionists are actual
ed by this same desire; Office seekers by
quite another motive. Some one says to
Mr.. Long: 'The damndest kind of fu-
sion"
But with Mr.. Long It seems 10 us
such move would eliminate all the OBJ
jectionable features Of fusion. In the
formation of such a movement the first
act should be to firmly ground it upon
the principle of the referendum to the
end that as fast as schemes and schemers
came into the move they could be quick
ly turned down and no formidable ma
chine could ever get control.
Then the old machines could be left
stripped of power and government be re-
stored to the governed.
1t has been said that in Wall stree,
fifty men can be called together in "a
| hours who can bring prosperity or g
| panic
Any we'll informed Populist can name
| fifty prominent reformers who could, by
! political cooperation brought about by
a very little correspondence, bring about
results of much greater because Of more
lasting Importance.
| If this is fusion it is the fusion thai
freed the blacks, and the same kind O
fusion will free all labor. 1t will con
centrate at the nations capital no
wealth but craftsmanship and patriotism
1t lies in the logical path of coming
events. 1t is an easy escape from ole
party bosses and corruption. 1t will
separate the sheep from the goats.
will leave the lobby with their occupa
ton gone. 1t will stamp with deserved
odium the black record Of Democracy
1t will escape the ridicule hurled at tn,
wild and woolly whiskers of Populisnl
while it offers to a patient and lon
suffering people hope of future rewar,
in fullest measure. e.. A. T..