Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-08-29
BRYAN ACCEPTS The
POPULIST NOMINATION

- = y . u q " u
| f1uence of his ballot upon the side OF
| those who desire to protect the public
at large from monopolies?
| The fact that the trusts support the
republican party ought to be sufficient
proof that they expect protection from
II. The republican party cannot be re-
| lied upon to eXtinguish the trusts sc
long as it draws its campaign contri-
buttons from their uverf1owing vaults
PROSPERITY ARGUMENT WILL
NOT DECEIVE.
The prosperity argument which the
republicans bring forward to answer all
complaints against the administration
will not deceive the farmer. He knows
that two factors enter into his income
First, the size OF his crop, and, second,
the price which he receives for the
same. He does not return thanks to the
party in power for favorable weather
and bountiful harvest, and he knows
that. the republican party has no policy
which insures a permanent increase In
agricultural prices. Since he sells his
surplus in a foreign market he Is not
beneficiary of the tariff and since he
produces merchandise and not money,
he does not profit by the appreciation
of the dollar. He knows that the much
vaunted prosperity, of which he has
never had his share; is on the Wane in
spite of the Unusual and unnatural
stimulation which 1T has received dur
ing the last three years. He knows that
each month of 1900 shows a larger NUM-
Der of failures than the corresponding
month or 1899, and that there is already
a marked tendency toward a decrease in
the output of the factories. He knows
also that discoveries Of gold, famines
abroad and war on three continents
nor hpPn fn f-ci fho 0rfo OF
tarm products as rapidly as trusts and
combinations have raised the price of
the things which the farmer buys.
Our opponents have tried to make It
appear that we are inconsistent when
we desire general rise in prices and
yet oppose an arbitrary lise in pro-
tected manufactures or trust-made
goods. There is no conflict between
these two propositions. If a general
rise in prices occurs because of a per-
manent increase in the volume of
money, all things adjust themselves to
the new level, and If the volume of
money then increases In proportion to
the demand for money the price level
remains the same and business can be
done with fairness to all If, however
the rise is arbitrary, and only affects
part of the produces of labor, those
whose products do not participate in
the rise suffer because the purchasing
power of their income is decreased. II
a bad monetary system drags down the
price of the farmers products, while
monopolies raise the price of what he
buys. he burns the candle at both ends
and must expect to suffer in compari-
son with those who belong to the classes
more favored by legislation.
NECESSARY FOR
REFORM.
1t is sometimes urged by partisan
populists that four four years more of
republican misrule W ould so aggraVate
economic conditions as to make re-
forms easier. No one can afford to aid
in making matters worse in the hope
of being able to make them better aft
erwards, for in so doing he assumes re-
sponsibility for evils which he may not
be able to remedy. No populist how
ever sanguine, believes it possible to
elect a populist president at this time,
but the populist party may be able to
determine whether democrat or a re-
publican will be elected. Mr.. Chair
man. the populist convention, which
your committee repI eSents, thought it
better to share with the democrats in
the honor of securing some of the re-
forms desired by your party, than to
bear the odium of remaining neutral
In this great crisis, or of giving open or
secret aid to the republican party
the populistS contend.
Those who labor to improve the con-
d1tionS which surround their fellow men
are apt to become inpatient; but they
must remember that it takes time to
work out great reforms. Let me illus
trate by calling your attention to the
slow growth of public opinion in sup
port of a proposition to which there
has been practically no open opposition
President Johnson, in 1868, recommend
ed a constitutional amendment for the
election Of United States senators by
a direct vote of the people, but his rec
met with no response
About twelve years later, General Wea-
yer, then a member of congress, tried
to secure the passage of a resolution
submitting such an amendment but
his efforts were futile. In 1892 the res
olution recommended by President
Johnson and urged by Congressman
Weaver finally passt d the house of rep
resetatives, but it has not yet reached
a vote of the senate. And now, after
eight years more OF public discussion,
the proposition for the first time re-
ceives the Endorsement of the national
of one OF the great parties
If the fusion forces win a victory
this fall, we shall see this reform ac-
before the next presidential
and with Its accomplishment
any remedial legislation which they
may desire. But how halting has been
the progress! Holland has said:
Heaven is not gained by a single |
bound.
We build the ladder by which we rise,
From the lowly earth to the vaulted |
skies,
And mount to it's summit round by
round"
And so it is witit great social and |
political movements. Great problems |
are solved slowly, hut struggling hu-
nanity marches on, step by step, con-
tent If at each nightI'all 1t can pitch its |
ent on little higher ground.
SOME NEW QUESTIONS.
I have called attention to the issues
which brought the democrats and pop
lists together, and which have justi- |
led their cooperation during the last |
our years. Let me now invite your
attention to new questions which would /
Justify cooperation at this time. even
hough we differed upon all economic
questions. 1t is not cur fault that these
lew questions have been thrust into the
arena of politics; 1t is not our fault that
he people have been called upon tn
questions Of ever-increasjne
magnitude. In 1890 the tariff question
vas the principal subject of discussion. |
md the democratic party contended
hat the masses were carrying a burden
# unjust and unnecessary taxes. In
S92 the tariff question was still the
issue between the democratic
md republican parties. although in the
vest and south the money question was
assuming greater and greater propor-
nd fho lets 4