The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-22

so force the trust question to the front
that it will overshadow silver and en-
able the gold-bugs of the East to nomi-
nate Harrison, Stone, or some other pro-
fessed silver man, but real gold-bug.
The Eastern men are very anxious to
shelve Bryan. He is too much of
Populist to suit them. They, as yet,
fear that this cannot be done with
safety. They know that it cannot be
done at all unless the country is thor
Oughly aroused as to the trust evil. The
| danger is that those Democrats who
honestly believe in free coinage will bolt
the convention, unite with the Populists
and Free Silver Republicans, nominate
Bryan and carry the South and West.
This would mean much more than the
loss of the offices to the Eastern Demo-
cracy and the nation. It would mean
the organization of party that would
inspire confidence among the masses of
the people, and that would certainly
capture the presidency in 1904. The
reasonable chances are that Bryan will,
| make satisfactory concessions to the
Eastern Democracy and be his party
nominee next year. His friends are
now appealing to the Eastern contingent
and calling their attention to the fact
that the senate is hopelessly Republi-
can for the next six years, silver legis-
lation impossible, and it should there
fore make no difference what the plat
form is nor who is elected. The i'm
portant thing is to get the offices.
Bryan's friends suggest that the Chicago
platform be re-affirmed with the planks
against trusts and imperialism, and
agree that silver shall be made the paras
mount issue only in those sections
where it is likely to get the Offices, that
in the East and the North the battle-cry
shall be antitrust and anti-imperial-
ism. So strongly has this argument
been presented to the East that Belmont
attended the recent blow out in St,
Louis, and was the biggest turtle in the
tank. Even Bryan himself has less and
less to say about silver, and more and
more about trusts and militaryism.
Which of these two plans will be adopt
ed. time only can tell. One or the other
is certain to be the policy of the Demo-
cratic party.
Under these circumstances what is the
duty of Populists.
Most assuredly to organize their party
at every voting box in the nation, and be
prepared to take advantage of the disaf-
fection that will exist in both old par
ties after their national conventions
shall have been held next year, to de-
pose fusion committees, and put straight
Populists in their places, and lastly to
put up and vote for their own candidates
from constable to president.
Populists earnestly favor free silver,
but only for the reason that it will give
! the people little more money with
which to do business, and for the addi-
tional reason that all government bonds
not specifically payable in gold can be
paid in silver. But with them the paper
money question is of infinitely greater
Importance than free silver coinage. To
give back to the government-the peo-
ple-the control of the volume of paper
currency is of more Importance than all
the silver in the world. The Populist
party was organized to befriend labor
and industry and to fight monopolies,
and it cannot afford to abandon the
struggle simply because Democracy has
declared for free silver. Populists have
no more confidence in the promises of
Democratic politicians than any other
disinterested people have. Democratic
promises are not above par, in fact, they
are so seriously discredited by the tarty
record that they are only quoted as a
joke except by the politician hunting Of
fee. In 1890 the party solemnly prom
ises in 20 state platforms to pass free
coinage bill. 1t got a majority of 148
over the combined vote of Republican
and Populists. When the question
came before the house all the Populists
and l3 Republicans voted for the bill,
but the Democrats did not have large
| enough majority to pass it. The reaso.
the bill did not pass is because the trusts
and combines controlled that party just
as they do the Republicans. Free silver
Democrats should cut loose from their
party organization just as the free sill
yer Republicans have done. Once as
sure Populist that you have enlisted
for the war and he will make it pleasant
for you, no matter whether you have
been a Democrat or Republican-Peo-
ple's Searchlight, Hillsboro, Texas.
Courts Are Held in Contempt.
A Judge in Connecticut has decided
that the parents of child killed by
railroad company shall only be entitled
to nominal damages of one dollar.
The reason given by the learned Judge is
that the services of the child are worth
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