Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-08-29


the populist party, l desire to give EN-.
phatlc recognition to the educa tional
Work done by your party. The populist
party as an organization, and the
FARMERS Alliance and labor organiza.
tlons from which they sprung, have
uohe nuch to arouse the people to q
study OF economic and Industrial oues-
lions. Believing, as I do, that truth
grows, not in seclusion, but in the open
neld, and that 1t thrives best in the
sunlight OF full and free debate, 1 have
confidence that the discussion which
your party has compelled will aid in
reaching that true solution of pending
problems toward which all honest citi.
zens aim.
desire also to express my deep at-
probation of the liberality of opinion
and devotion to principle which have
LED the members OF your party to enter
tne ranks or another party in the Sc
lection Of candidate.
PRINCIPLE, Nor PERSONALITY
While am grateful for the confidence
which the populists have expressed in
me, am not vain enough to regard as
personal their extraordinary manifesto
tions OF good will: The ties which bind
together those who believe in the SAME
great fundamental principles are
stronger than ties OF affection-stronger
even than the ties of blood; and coop
Grafton between, the reform forces is
due to the fact. that democrats. popu-
|iAts and silver Republicans take the
tide of the people, in their contest
against organized greed and agree in
the application of Jeffersonian princi-
pies to the questions Immediately be-
fore us.
In 1896 the money question was Of
paramount Importance, and the allies
In that campaign united in the de-
mand for the imr1odfato Of
silver by the Independent action of this
country at 16 to l, the ratio which has
existed since 1884. They were defeated,
but that did not end the discussion
The democrats wera defeated in 1888,
but that did not pu. an end to tariff
reform. The republicans were defeated
In 1892, but that did not permanently
overthrow the protective tariff. De-
Feat at the polls does not necessarily
decide great problem. Experience
alone settles questions. II an increase
In the volume of the currency since
1896. although unpromised by the re-
publicans and unexpected, has brought
improvement in industrial conditions,
this Improvement, instead of answer
Ing the arguments put forth in favor
or bimetallism, only confirms the con-
tention Of those who insisted that more
money would make better times.
The republican party. however, while
culation. makes no permanent provision
for an adequate supply of standard
money. 1t denies the necessity for more
real money. while 1t permits national
banks to expand the volume of paper
promises to pay money.
OPPOSITION SHOULD BE MORE
PRONOUNCED.
II the populists felt justified in op-
posing the republican party when it
hN 60
tendencies under the mask of interna-
tional bimetallism. the opposition should
be more pronounced in proportion as
the republican party more openly es-
pouses gold monometallism.
In 1896 the reform forces charged the
republican party with intending to re-
tire the greenbacks. This charge. de-
MED at that time, has been confessed
by the financial bill, which converts
Breenbacks, when once redeemed, into
gold certificates, and extends new priv
ileges to banks of issue. II a populist
opposed the republican party when its
hostilities to greenbacks was only sus-
pected. that opposition should be great
" now since no one can longer doubt
the purpose Of the republican party to
substitute bank notes for greenbacks
1t is true the populists believe in an
Irredeemable greenback, while he
democrats believe in greenback re-
deemable in coin; but the vital question
at this time, so far as paper money is
concerned, Is whether the government
or banks shall issue 1t. There will be
time enough to discuss the redeemabil-
ity or the greenback when the green
Jack itself is saved from the annihila-
tion which now threatens 1t. The re-
publican party is now committed to a
currency system which nccessitates a
perpetual debt, while the populist finds
hir1self in agreement with the demo-
srats, who believe in paying off the ma
Uonal debt a. rapidly as possible.
INCOME TAX AND ARBITRATI IN. |
II belief in an income tax justified a
populist in acting with the democratic
party in 1896. what excuse ,an he find
tor aiding the republican party now,
when even the exigencies of war lave
not been sufficient to bring that party
10 the support of the income tax prin-
SIcle?
Populists believe in arbitration now
as much as they did in 1896 and are
rs much opposed to government by in
Junction and the blacklist as they were
then, and upon these subjects they have |
ns much reason for cooperation with |
the democratic party today as they had |
four years ago.
Democrats and populists alike favor |
The principle OF direct legislation. If |
any difference exists as to the extent |
TO which the principle should be ap-
Piled. those differences can be recon-
ciled by experiment.
Democrats and populists agree that
Chinese and other oriental labor should
be excluded from the United States.
Democrats and populists desire to so
enlarge the scope of the interstate
commerce act as to enable the commits
.ion to protect both persons and places
from discrimination, and the public at
arge from excessive railroad rates.
The populists approve the demand set
'orth in the democratic platform for a |
abor bureau, with a cabinet officer at
is head. Such an official would keep
he administration in close touch with |
The wage-earning portion of the popu-
alton and go far toward securing such
legislation as the toilers need
UNITED IN OPPOSING TRUSTS.
In 1898 the populists united with the
democrats in opposing the trusts, al
though the question at that time ap-
,eared like a cloud scarcely larger than
| mans hand. Today that cloud WELL
eigh overspreadS the industrial sky
: he farmer does not participate in the
'rofits of any trust. but he sorely feels
he burden of them ali. He is depend
mt upon the seasons for his income
When he plants his crop he knows not
whether it will be blessed with rain OF
'lighted with drouth; he knows not
whether wind will blow II down, or hall
lestroy 1t, or insects deyour it, and
he price of his crop is as uncertain as
he quantity. II a private monopoly
an suspend production and fix the price
II raw material as well as the price of
hn Ar4fa fhn 20 1