The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-08-24
FUSION VS., PEOPLES PARTY.

Editor DISQUALIFICATION the Peo-
pies party fused with the Democrats in 1896
and 1898 did it mean the obliteration of the
Peoples party in this state? The Peoples
party was organized out of the Farmers Alli-
ance. The Farmers Alliance was intended
to be non partisan and the most of the
members of the Alliance joined the Peoples
party when it was organized. Before join
ing the Farmers Alliance the most of the
members were Republicans, and in case the
members OF the Peoples party find them
selves without a party in 1900 they natur-
ally will go back to the Republican party
from whence they came. The memory of
James Buchanan and Grover Cleveland is
too fresh in the minds of the rank and file
of the Peoples party to ever vote the Dem
ocratic ticket. The fusion leaders of the
Peoples party who are holding offices I'M
der the present state administration will go
with the Democratic party, where they be-
long. Mr. Rosing, chairman of the Demo-
cratic state central committee, and also
Gov. Lind's private secretary, would like
to build up strong, aggressive Democratic
party out of the ranks of the Peoples party
but if all the members of the Peoples party
in this state are like the ones here Mr.
Rosing will have surprise party when the
votes are counted in 1900. The Mid Road
Popuists made a great mistake when they
withdrew from the state convention in 1898
and made nominations for all the state
officers and only received an insignificant
vote for their governor and the balance of
their ticket. The Mid Readers ought to
have submitted to the majority of the
convention. If they had done this the
Peoples party would be in good shape to-
day to make aggressive campaign in
1900 and elect all of the state officers and
four or f1ve of the congressman. But the
condition of the Peoples party in this state
today is a deplorable one.
No party succeed when the leaders
are continually fighting among themselves
There are good men among the Mid-Roaders
and also good men among the fusion Popu-
lists, but if the leaders of both factions of
the Peoples party do not get together and
march in one solid column against the
enemy. both factions will find themselves
without any followers. Men who are in
favor of the rule or ruin policy should have
no standing among the rank and file of the
Peoples party and if the Peoples party
expect to keep up their organization in this
state. l will call on Francis B. Clark.
chairman of the Poples party state central
committee to call a conference of the lead
ing members of both factions of the PEOPLES
party and reorganize the party into one
grand army and be ready to march in one
solid column against the enemy in 1900.
The Omaha platform is good enough for me-
but in case both factions of the Peoples
party do not get together you say for
me that the Peoples party is dead in this
state Yours truly, L. A. PADDOCK
Wadena, Mimi, Aug. 81, 1899.
The writer Of the foregoing letter is
evidently a good Populist. He can
never be transformed into Democrat,
and that is one of the essential charac-
teristics of every true Populist.
Mr.. Paddock still swears by the
Omaha platform, and he will remember