The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-04-12
STARTLING NEWS.
Altgeld Leading the Free
Silver Democrats Into
the POpulist Camp.
A General Break Up Impending.

In the Chicago Times Herald of last
Saturday we find the following surpris-
ing article:
Definite advices have reached Chicago
that a new national party will be organ
lied within year on the crumbling ruins
OF Populism. 1t is to be the National
Referendum party, with an antitrust bat
tie cry and platform which, it is be-
lieved, will be the basis for a unity of dis
satisfied members OF the Democratic and
Republican parties, Socialists, single tax
ers, Populists and silver men.
The provisional organization OF this
new party is scheduled for February at
Buffalo. The formal convention will be
held later, after the Republicans and
Democrats have held their national as
semblages. In this plan local politicians
think they see the hand of John P. Alt
geld. If he is repudiated by the Demo-
cratic national convention in 1900 it is
believed that Mr.. Altgeld will endeavor
to become leader in the new party
Within forty-eight hours after his
crushing defeat in the Chicago municipal
election Mr.. Altgeld completed perma-
nent organization of his municipal own
ership and Chicago platform independ-
ents in this city, and this is regarded as
significant in view of the rumor that the
former governor is quietly encouraging
the formation of the new party. Ii the
next Democratic national convention
smashes several of the planks in the Chi
cago platform, including the silver plank,
which Mr. Altgeld built, political proph-
cts agree that it is quite probable that the
"sore man. will be running amuck with
his Corsican poniard to stab Democracy
harmony and lead the Silver Democrats
into new political camp, in which he
will be one of the commanders
Within the past few months municipal
ownership and referendum organizations
have been springing into life in many
cities throughout the country. By a sim
gular coincidence the personnel OF men,
bership has been silver men, socialists,
popufists, single takers, and "sore men,
OF the old parties-just such following
as John P. Altgeld has around him to-
day.
There is good chance for these local
organizations to be merged into ma
tional party.
DR.. Howard S. Taylor said yesterday
that he had received confidential letters
on the subject and conversed in Wash
ington with men OF prominence who were
quietly mapping out the lines OF organiza-
ton.
The letters and conversations I had
on the subject were CONFIDENTIAL said
Dr. Taylor. 81 am pledged to secrecy,
and l presume the general plan is to
guard against publicity of the move
ment | have not given any assurance to
anyone that l would encourage new
party, but | will admit that there is a
good basis for the rumor, to my personal
knowledge. l am surprised that the Sc
cret is out, but l positively decline to
discuss it, as l am not one of the pro-
moters and was approached in spirit OF
confidence, which l will respect
In the new movement political gossips
are discussing the names OF men OF ma
tional prominence, which presents a
strange lot of political bed fellows. The
following are the men who it is believed
will lead for the determinations OF mo-
nopolies, the initiative and referendum:
Governor Hazens S. Pingree of Michi-
gan.
Senator Henry M. Teller of Colorado.
John P. Altgeld of Illinois.
Wharton Barker of Pennsylvania.
Ignatius Donnelly OF Minnesota
Henry George, Jr., of New York.
Senator Butler of North Carolina.
Senator Stewart of Nevada.
Jerry Simpson Of Kansas.
It is limited that the Social Democracy,
organized by Eugene V. Debs, will be
consolidated in the proposed new po-
ltical deal and that an effort will be
made to get the Knights Of Labor and
other organizations of wage-earners in
line
Mr. Altgeld could not be seen on the
subject yesterday, but those who know
him best say that it would be bad policy
for him to confirm the rumor while he is
a member of subadvisory committee OF
the Democratic national organization.
But these same friends say conhdentially
that Harrison is likely to freeze Altgeld
out of the next Democratic national con-
ventlon and that it would be typical of
Aitgeld to continue the fight in another
party OF his own"