The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-18
GENERAL BREAKUP IN MINNESOTA.
Fusion Killed Populism, Which Made De-
mocracy Heir to It's Doctrines.

MINNEAPoLIs. June 10-In 1894, when the
Populist party had come near electing its can
didate for Governor. had left the Democrats
far in the rear and had corral,rd nearly every
vote in many rural districts. Populism in Min
nesota was apparently on the high road to sue
cess. But when in 1896. the nomination Of
William Jennings Bryan was indUrsed by the
Popu'ist National Convention in st. Louis a
marked decline in the party began Fusion on
tho national ticket was followed by fusion on
State and local tickets. tho organization was
dcmoralized and factonal strife arose over
everything. Thus fusion led to confusion
with the advent OF the present Administra-
ton came an Improvement in business which
destroyed much Of the campaign material of
tho party. while the prosecution of the war
with Spain and resultant issues brought many
who had sympathized more or less with the
Popultsts 10 open or tacit support OF the Presi-
dent. 1t is true that the man who was elected
Governor Of Minnesota last fall received the
support Of the Populist organization. hut he IS
no moro Populst than n Republican and less
Populist than a Democrat and his success
was due largely to dissatisfaction with the
candidate. More than that, the Populst organ
ization was further demoralized 10y this cam
q Considerable number Of the leaders. includ.
inE ignatus Donnelly. withdrew to the
since 1874. Many Kepuhlicans who supported
the decade Just closing as a protest against
machine methods have forgotten that they
H Tsr ever in sSymPathy With ropplism Many
hopeless warfare in this state. and who saw in
tme it0nut,st ,movement a possible means for
party OF their first love. Many others are
without party.
But with the passing Of the Populist party. it
must he said that the influence Of Fopulism, TO
n ner,v az eStsnt SurY,Hes In th9 Democratic
the crv Of tho W.n hf Is
as i becomes more and more likely that this is
t. be q great issue in tho next campaign.
leaders are ready to take the sop rxtendcd to
them Then HPd 60 C oyer b9E and haGGnge to Democ
ulI.m in tho STATE, and recently Candidate f for
Congress, II this district, Endorsed by Demo.
Gratis and Silver Republicans. saws he Expects
IN good time and make a canvass for tho nomi,
NATION Tor Copgress p"Xl year A. DEMOCRAT.
cratic party. will 90 before The people in the
next campaign with three wei defined issues
trusts do not believe the rary viii Tai attS @nrI
TO try and keep all these issues to the front In
az sections Of tho country, but that the issue
the l3ca ity. In other words. tho Sneakers in
New England will keep anti-"Npansion to the
which symnathIZes with Senator Hoar and Ed
ward AtSinson., In the Mississippi States anti
LtHst VII ne tne cry whllH In the West and
South free silver will again have the right Of
way, This may not be very high principle hui
1t Is good politics and will gain votes"
But the DEMOCRATS are 10y no means gather
lng IN all the fopulistS in the dsintegration
that Is taking place Thn.Voto in tho last cleo.
lion showed that many Of the rank and iile in
Populj It strOngl dds which ten years ago were
strongly Republican were returning to their
n.d allegiance. Tn" seventh district which
has been rccognz"h aS the strongest POpuiist
district IN the State, went Repubican last No
vembcr by good majority. and the drift CON
tinucs in tho same direction there ami else
where; The sam" IL true Of many of the lend
"rs. Farmer Republicans who had and have
no H." for the democratic party ara looking
for an excuse 10 get hack into the fold Some
who lett tn" Republican party on the silver is
gu" alone. and who are satisfied that good tines
hhv" come 20 stay without bimctalllsm. are
eXpanA.onist$ aud protcctonists