The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-03-17
Elmer B. Brown, Of Kansas
Relates Some Political
"reminiscences.

Mr.. Finer II. Brown, who has lately
moved TO Oklahoma from Kansas, has
some well-dehned political opinions
and he is not backward in giving ex-
pressions TO them. Mr.. Browns work
towards organizing the young Democ-
racy Of Kansas is we'll known, and his
views on matters political, especially
Democracy, in Oklahoma will be of
interest.
Asked regarding his opinion Of Ok
Democracy, by Bekemeyer, Of the
Wichita Eagle. Mr.. Brown said:
1T would be presumptuous on my
part TO assume to take any part in the
politics Of oklahoma at the present
time, as / have just become resident
Of the territory aud have no personal
knowledge of the political situation
Bnt taking the experience of the Dem,
ocrscy Of Kansas as guide, it seems
TO me that a certain element OF the
Democracy of Oklahoma are following
in the footsteps of the Kansas Democ-
rats In regard TO fusion. This element
we find, is usually composed of what
are known as "trimmers," or in other
we'll known fact that the man who is
seeking an office or some favor at
the hands OF the administration that
he hopes TO install ia power, is afraid
TO express an original idea or even
stand by the principles of his party
until word is passed down the line by
the machine" F" and then like q pou-
parrot, he shouts es the bosses have
dictated. That element you will al
ways find ON the side Of fusion. IL the
young men Of the party in the
Territory will set together and
organize without Eope Of reward for
the present, so far Ms the Offices are
concerned. the Democracy will not
suffer the humiliation that they have
in Kansas.
Never yet In the history of politics,
70 my knowledge, has fusion won .
permanent victory. Take, for instance,
Ia 1866, Kansas had what we could
call perfect fusion. The organization
WAS complete. They won the victory.
In 500 the Democratic convention as
aembled at Atchison and was informed
by ehe Populist convention In Topeka
that they would permit them TO nomi-
nate n lieutenant governor What .
sight for the gods TO behold Thk
great Democratic party In state con
vention dictated TO In that manner by
q mob of worn-out politicians and
Office seekers
The young men of the party were
not pleased, yet they agreed TO give it
trial. and the Democracy stood 10y
ally by the ticket. But what happen
ed The Populist leaders all wanted
10 be generals, which resulted in q
0r~k tr.t lie "A . tfnlr
WAS defeased by upwards OF Il, 900 ma
jority. All the work OF Organization
was wasted The Democracy of KAN
sas was nothing but disorganized
mob-no organization, no nothing.
That is the result Of fusion. IL the
young Democracy of the territory will
profit BY lhe lesson In Kansas politics
nothing OF abe kind will ever occur In
Oklahoma.
There are so many reasons why fus-
ION Ia the territory will not produce
results. In the hrst place, even TO win
q temporary victory with fusion,
means that statehood will be postpon.
Ell. Again, there is probability that
when Oklahoma becomes a state the
Indian Territory will be part Of II
and the Indian Territory Is the same
20 Democracy "a Texas. So II the
Democracy will start now and build
up their organization by the time we
became state it will be 80 perfect
that the opposition will and ua lineC
up in solid phalabx, fighting Tor th'
principles that are dear to every Dem
Ocrat. Populism has never lived Il
any state any great length OF tim'
when IL was Impossible for them u
get offices, and SO would IL be here
because without the help Of the Deu
ocracy Popuhsm can do nothing, am
Democracy ear live and flourish IN th
time OF defeat and l think Il Is niue
better 10 take our defeat, which Is In
evitable AT he present time, and bull
our party up FOR the future. when "
become state. So my plan would B
20 organize the yonng men Of the pa
" who a depended upon 20 do th
work watch means for 0klafoma be
tor men for positions Of trust and be-
ter government,