The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-04-20
Strange Case in Local Politics.

The Populist primaries IN Chanute
seemed to be dominated by the infiu-
ence OF such straight.out Democrats
as John f. Roe and Hugh P. Farrelly
These gentlemen are good citizens
and very nice fellows, but it looks a
little strange to see the POpulist
party, which started out a few years
ago with such a flourish of trumpets
and so much boosted independence
and with so many hard words for
both the Democratic and Republican
parties, led to the slaughter by such
old-time Democrats as the above men,
toned.
1t does seem that it would make an
old.time Republican, who conscien-
tiously joined the Pop party-belev-
ing it to be a party Of reform vince
little to line up under the banner OF
simon-pure Democratic leaders.
We find no fault with any man for
his political opinions. 1t is the in
born right of every American citizen
to entertain any notion he may see fit
on political matters, and to freely ex-
press himself, no matter how foolish
and absurd his views may be. That is
his business. But we do like to see a
man have views and positive cOnvic-
tions on the great political questions
that come up in our country. We are
supposed to be an intelligent reading
and thinking people, but when we see
men who have eSpOuSed the cause Of
Populism and have for years so zeal.
ously champloned its cause, allowing
tbomcolvac n ha rra uollv ri ro xyp ipfO
the folds Of their old-time enemy, the
Democratic party, we are constrained
to the belief that they are not fully
aware of where they are drifting.
The issues this year will be clearly
drawn between patriotism and pro-
gresslon aud expansion and a higher
development OF this country's re-
sources, on the one hand, and the
Missouri moSSback idea of shutting
ourselves up like a clam shell and let
ting the world wag as it will, on the
other.
No one can rightfully complain Of
the condition of things in this coun-
try at the present time. Under Demo-
cratic rule we clamored for money and
said the shortage in that line was the
cause of our woes. The Republican
party gave us more money. We now
have greater per capita circulation
than this country ever knew. Money
is plentiful and cheap. so much so
that capitalists are ceasing to loan
and investing their surplus cash in
real-estatc and manufacturing inter-
ests.
Under Cleveland you complained
that labor was oppressed and an hon.
est man conld not get a job. Now
the labor Of this country is fully EN-
ployed and at better wages than ever
before known.
Silver about which such roar was
made by our western friends has con-
stantly advanced in price and been
coined more freely than ever under
free coinage laws.
No bonds have been issued to pay
the ordinary expenses of the govern
ment, and even now our income is
greater than our nutgo, war expenses
and all, and Republican statesman
are working on measure to reduce
the war tax.
The policy of the Republican party
has enabled US to take advantage OF
all circumstances of trade that might
be turned to our account and today
we are the most prosperous and re-
spected nation on earth. Then why
should we wish to change back to the
rule Of the party whose false theories
of government were the cause of all
our ills, and abandon the prosperity
we now enjoy?