The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1898-09-05
A Secret Circular Issued from Peoples
Party Headquarters
KEEP THIS LETTER IN A SAFE PLACE"
The Democratic State Ticket Can BE
Elected by a Majority of 1oO,-
600 if the Rank and File
VIII Turn Out and
Vote.
Bv Frank Weldon.


Tho e,oction of the state democrats
ticket in October is simply matter of
majority.
Nher the state ticket was nominated
IN tbe convention of June 29th, enthusias'
nc democrats declared that it would De
elected by 100000 majority
In the TWO months which have elapsed
since the nominations were made, the
harmony which was evident at the June
convention has not been married in the
vlightest particular. Indeed, time mas
obuterated the fractional lines which haa
been developed in the preliminary canvas
tor the nomination. has brought into CLOS
or relations the different elements ana mas
materially strengthened in every respect
and at every point the grand old demo-
cratic organization in Georgia.
So apparent is this to every observer
that the populists themselves cannot con-
ceal their fear of a sweeping, annlhha'lhS
defeat. Mr. Hogan. the popust nominee
for governor does not seriously pretend
10 cla.1u that ne and his ticket will be
elected. but confines himself TO the dec
laration that the claims made by the dem
ocrats are exaggerated. and That CoIoheI
Gamblers majority will be under 1~,to0.
Never since the organization of the thlth
party has it been III such n state OF utter
Generalization as It Is this year. All VIII
remember the great difficulty which they
had in getting the consent of party men to
accept nominations. So general was the
belief among the populists themselves that
they were doomed to defeat this year that
their strongest and most Jealous leaders 81
former years declined one after another
to accept the nominations, even AFTER
their party convention had rendered them
the empty honor.
First. Mr., Watson cruelty refused to
stand for governor. ana forced his party ID
take MS name off the ticket. Colonel Peek.
their nominee in 1892 for governor, fol-
lowed Mr., watson, and declined to ac-
cept the nomination for commissioner or
agriculture The three gentlemen selected
by the populists in their March conVen'
ton as nominees for the supreme bench
withdrew their names from the ticket, ana
in the five months which have since elap5'
ed the party managers have not succeeded
in inducing even one reputable member OF
the bar to allow his name to 90 upon their
judiciary ticket.
Contrast this with the zeal and harmony
felt in The ranks of democracy. The party,
expressing it's choice through the primary
of June 9Th, practically unanimous.
Unlike the populists who selected their
candidate for governor in a small back
room caucus, the democrats mad an &C
tive opeu campaign election by primary,
and nomination in open convention, which
WAS one of the most largely attended ana
most representative political bodies that
has ever assembled in the state.
In other words, The democratic nominees
are the choice of the masses. composing
the organization whereas the popuiist
nominees were first selected in commit
tee caucus which reported to the conVen-
ton: the convention itsrlr not being con-
sidcred by the political leaders to he capa-
b.e oi making proper selection for it
SELF This was reflection upon the in
tc'Iigrnce Of the populist masses, or it was
a scheme of a few political r.ngstcrs to
continue to rule the party
Populists After County Offices.
Il is no secret that the populists in
waging this campaign do not indulge the
vain nope Of e.ecting Mr.. Hogan, and the
ultimate purpose ana highest expectations
which they have is to retain control of
local offices in a few scattered counties.
There is the highest authority for this
statement ana in proof OF the assertion.
an official letter issued from peoples
party headquarters" is submitted
This official letter is a secret document.
1t was sent out to only the most trusted
members Of the party, to only one or two
in county. and they were cautioned to
Keep This Letter Safe and Private
1t is a long letter aud the faithful few
who were hOnOred with a copy We're ad-
Vised to read every word" and
Keep it in safe place, as it is not
public and is only to be read to those
you can depend upon"
The letter. which is signed by NJ L.
Palmer. temporary chairman. ana Austin
Holcomb. secretary and treasurer urges
upon the county chairman to get to orS
on doubtful voters" II especially and
strongly enjOlns fusion between the popu-
lists and the negroes, for it says:
Thousands of reliable negroes will
vote with us if they can be made to
see that they are in the same boat"
This is an official declaration that the
popusts and the negroes have common
cause, that their principles and the polit-
zeal issues involved in the campaign are
identical.
What else can they mean when they say
that they ARE in the same b0at%'
This Is a secret confession that the pop
uIsts are trying to bring about in Georgia
a condition similar to that which exists in
North Carolina where the populists and
the Iegrooa combined four years ago. This
purpose has been denied by the popultst
leaders in this state, but here is their own
adInissiOn--they are all in the same boat
together.
Further evidence, If any were necessary.
to prove that the popu!ist politicians want
fusion with the negroes, IS being furnished
to the state democratic executive commit
tee every day in letters received from vari-
Gus sections Of Georgia In the eleventh con-
gressional district open fusion was recon-
mended by Dopulist committee. which