The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-03-01
WHAT HAS BECOME OF THEM:
All Democrats.

Many of our Populist friends would
not believe The Representative when it
stated, two years, ago, that fusion meant
turning Democrat. Read the following
from last Sundays Minneapolis Tribune
and see if 1t told the truth.
81 don't propose to call a meeting of the
Populist state committee" said Chairman
2. X. Austin today. when asked about ar
rangements for the national convention. Il
will do what l think is best, and II the
committeeman don't like that they can
go to warmer climate"
Mr.. Austin is one Of the few Populists
holding down soft jobs at the capitol, and
it must be comforting to his fellow Popu-
lists who didn't get Jobs to have him talk
this way. They must feel very appreci-
alive.
There are few old time Populists. how
ever, who don't seem to appreciate Austin S
magnanimity. Said one of these:
There ia nothing left of the Populist
party now but a eter-board, with Zeke
Austin and Maj. Bowler on one end and
Paradis and Dempsey on the other. Possibly
each one of these four believes he controls
his own vote, but / doubt his ability to
prove his belief good. Anyhow Bowler
and Austin owe their votes to Lind and his
Democratic party.
And it is said that Mr.. Cation is perfectly
willing to make the race. In fact The Trib-
une is informed by some Of Mr. Cation s
friends that he will undoubtedly this year
seek the Democratic nomination at the pri-
maries, and so far as can be Judged at this
writing there will be no opposition powerful
enough to defeat him.
Speaking of Cation, who has hitherto been
counted as a Populist, reminds us that the
Hennepin Populist, as he has been known
and classified. no longer exists. There yet
inQ a mi Of aQ ho
lights to call himself. but none of the party
that became SO powerful only a few years
ago. Running back over the names Of men
who were prominent in that party not longer
than two years ago reveals the fact that
they have all disappeared, the majority hav-
ing submitted to the swallowing process
and become Democrats Of the Lind and
Bryan brand. Just a few have returned
to the Republican party, but the Republic
cans are scarce.
Passing the list of old-time leaders in re-
view you have S. M. Owen, who has time
and again been the Populist candidate for
this or that place, and you now find a man
thoroughly in accord with the newer De-
mocracy. J. NJ. Bowler, late candidate for
lieutenant governor, and at present dairy
and food commissioner. could not be ex-
celled so far as devotion to the tenets of
Organism Is concerned. p. NJ. Ringdahl,
chairman of the railroad and warehouse
commission, also seems thoroughly Weaned
from the Populist party, and acts heart and
soul with the Democrats, while Francis H.
Clark. chairman Of the Populist state cen
trail committee, notwithstanding his recent
lack of good fortune in "being recognized"
by the state administration, is said to
stand ready to stump the nation for the
Democracy, If the party only reaf1irms the
Chicago platform and dominates Bryan, two
things which it will certainly do.
In the nation it is the same as in the
state. Tie old time leaders have complete
ly gone over. Allen, of Nebraska, Weaver,
Of Iowa, Marion Butler, national chairman,
C. S. barrow, the eloquent Chicagoan, and
Robert Schilling. the fiery Milwaukeean, all
have found Democracy quite to their taste,
and will no longer be found advocating a
separate Populist organization save as a
means Of befuddling those who would refuse
to vote the straight Democratic ticket.
Locally it is the same. G. A. Westphal
secretary Of the county committee, w. G.
Thornton, Paul Fontaine, w. R. Dobbyn
and E. R. Lynch all have apparently de-
serted the party and all will be found in
the ranks of the other parties in the COM
ing campaign
But these reflections do not mean that
the rank and file of the Peoples party
has deserted it. They see through the
shameful game that has been worked
upon them; and the men who fooled
them once can fool them no more, for
ever.
We are clear of these Office seekers.
Let the honest Populists assemble and
re-light the fires of patriotism on the
alters of liberty.
Come to our state convention, and as
many of you as possible attend our ma
tional convention at Cincinnati, May 8,
next. /. D.