The representative., 1900-05-24
WE DON'T BELIEVE TT.

We find the daily papers of Chicago.
Minneapolis, etc., of the 18th inst blaz-
ing with declaration that the Peoples
party has abandoned the financial issue,
free silver, etc.; basing the statement on
an interview with Hon. Wharton Bar
''The fight this year will be on other ques-
tions than money. For the time being that
is put aside. Transportation, expansion and
other live questions will make up the is
sues. I believe in commercial expansion,
but 1t cannot be made successful with the
bayonet and cannon. All trade gained that
way will forever be a trouble to us. One
of the first things President GARFIELD prom
ised me after his nomination was to call
the South American nations together In a
congress to agree. II possible. upon salts
factory trade relations. Gen. Garfield con-
ferred with Mr.. Blaine. and the invitations
we're sent out for the congress. l want
expansion on natural lines and commercial
agreements with countries supplying differ
ent products to our own
We do not believe Mr.. Barker ever
said a word Of that kind. He could not
have done so without stepping OF the
Peoples party platform and ceasing to
be Populist.
The money issue is the most import
ant one in our platform. We not only
reaff1rm the Omaha declarations, bus
we put forth the following plank:
T. scientific and absolute paper money,
based upon the entire wealth and popula-
tion Of the nation, not redeemable in any
specific commodity. but made a full legal
tender for debts, and receivable for all taxes
and public dues, and issued by the govern
ment only, without the Intervention OF
banks, and In sufficient quantity to meet
the demands of commerce, is the best cur
rency that can be devised; but until such q
financial system is secured, which we shall
press for adoption, we favor the free and
unlimited coinage of both silver and gold.
at the legal ratio OF 16 to l.
THERE IS NOTHING IN OUR PLAT
FORM UPON THE QUESTION OF
''EXPANS1ON." This was done to
make more distinct our advocacy of
the Omaha issues.
The New York Sun says:
The Middle-of the Road Populist national
ticket has been before the country since
1898. and 1t is very good sort of ticket for
those who like the principles which it rep
resents. Wharton Barker. of Philadelphia,
Philadelphia. Ignatius Donnelly, the Sage
OF Nininger. is a variously accomplished and
ingenious chap, with a genius for mysteries.
So far as brains go. the straight Populist is
not likely to be inferior to the crooked
Populist ticket to be put up at Sioux Falls
and Kansas City. The Cincinnati plat
form reaf1rms the cardinal tenets' of that
cheerful document. the Omaha platform OF
1892. The initiative and referendum, public
ownership and operation Of railroads. tele-
graphs, telephones and SO on. absolute
paper money, 16 to l, the income tax and
the election of the president and the vice.
president and of United States senators by
popular vote. are old friends. The proposed
election Of federal judges by popular vote
is more novel. Both the Republicans and
the Democrats are accused of being sham
antimonopolists.
But the most notable thing about the Gin
cinnati platform is the absence from it OF
any defamation about imperialism" and
''militarism." THE STRAIGHT POPU-
LISTS HAVE NOT WORD TO SAY
AGAINST EXPANSION.-New York Sun.
The Democrats have substantially
abandoned the financial question. II
we do the same there will be little dis
tinction between # the Democratic and
Populist parties; we will have no ex-
cuse for a separate existence If we fol-
low the example of the Democrats and
abandon the great financial issue.
We cannot believe that Mr.. Barker has
made any such utterance. We hope he
will set himself right before the evil
spreads any farther. Id.