Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-01-06
THE REFORM FORCES.
WHAT THEY WILL DO IS DISCUSS
ED BY LEADERS.
All are Confident That the Principles OF
Reform Have Become Firmly Estab.
lished and There win be no Backward
Step in 1898.


forces for the coming year?" is ques-
ton that is Of timely interest. The out
look in this state is exceedingly good.
In less than year the present state
administration has made a showing
that is unequalled by any previous
record. Governor Morrill's "good bus
mess administrator" is away below
zero in comparison. 1t was said at
first that it would be impossible to
bring the large corporations to time
that the new state officers would mere
ly be making laughing stock of the
state-and this was said by persons
who fully admitted that there were
abuses practiced and wrongs to be rem
edied. What has heen the result? Look
at what Attorney General Boyle, Sup
erintendent McNall, Superintendent
Stryker and the other officers have &C.
complished-an enumeration is unnec-
essary. The state has a governor who
is determined to see progress made,
and his administration shows decided
progress. What has been done is sim
ply start; final results and greater
accomplishments are to come later.
The voters who elected Governor Leedy
and the other state officers have right
to be proud of what the administration
has done, and they are confident that
it will do great deal more.
What the future will see Is always
an interesting topic. Governor Leedy
is confident that there will be no back
ward march. He believes that the re-
form forces will not consent to any
compromise, and said so emphatically
in recent conversation. He thinks
that the compromise suggested in the
matter of the silver ratio by ex-Govern-
or Boyles will not receive much consid-
Grafton. Ae said:
1.-The people who voted for Mr.. Bry-
an are just as ready now to stand by
their principles as they were last fall,
and they do not want any retrogres-
sion. While we will welcome all who
stand for the same great principles, no
matter under what names they come,
we are not asking for any compromise,
and there is no need of one 1t is toe
early yet to say what national issues
will be involved in the congressional
elections next fall, as they will come
up after the present session of con-
gress. What is being done in this state
is before the public, and our present
policy will be continued"
The question, "What, in your opin
ion, can the reform forces expect tC
accomplish during the coming year and
along what lines should they work tC
bring about the best results?" was ad
dressed to number of other promi
uent reformers, and the replies of ex
Senator PETER, Hon. Wharton Barker
editor of the Philadelphia American
and Governor Silas A. Holcomb, of Ne
braska, are given below. Mr.. Bryan
was twice telegraphed to at the City Of
Mexico, but no answer was received
and the Advocate and News also at
tempted to reach Hon. Thos. E. Wat
son, Senator Harris and number Of
other prominent reform leaders The
replies published in this article will
however, show something of what the
leaders think will be done in 1898.
Editor Advocate and News:-Before
your question can be answered intelli'
gently one must have some under
standing as to what is meant by ''re-
form" and who constitute 'reform
forces"
believe that the reforms now most
needed are those prominently mem
toned in the national platform of the
peoples party, and that those persons
who favor them are the individuals
that will compose the reform forces
of the country,
With this understanding of terms,
think the first step necessary to be
taken is the getting together, in one
body of all the believers in the essen
tial doctrines Of the popIlist creed.
This plan which, like a net cast in the
sea and gathereth in of all kinds,
would include such democrats, repab-
leans, prohibitionists, single takers,
socialists, nationalists and all others,
If any there be, that are in sympathy
with the populist movement
Summarized, the tenets of the peo'
pies party creed are these.
/. Equality of rights and opportuni-
ties among the people.
q All men are equally entitled to
the use of the natural resources of sub
Bistence in. procuring livelihood.
What a man honestly earns is his, and
he ought to be protected in his enjoy
ment.
g. Fair play between employer and
employee.
T. Proportional representation.
5. Public ownership and manage
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