The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-12-05
Publishes Communication to Chairman
Andrews
SAYS He IS A DEMOCRAT
Suggests that One Strong Party VIII Over
throw Evils More Effectually than
Fusion.

United States Senator Heitfeld has
written letter in which he stated
that he is now democrat. He re-
quests that D. H. Andrews, chairman
of the populist state central COM
mite, call the committee together for
the purpose of disbanding the party
and uniting with the democracy.
The letter is as follows, in full:
Washington, D. c., Nov. %, 1901. -
Hon. D. H. Andrews, Chairman Peo-
ple's Party State Committee, Boise,
Idaho-Dear Sir: Having concluded
after most thorough consideration,
that it is both wise and patriotic to
announce a change In my political
affiliations, l deem it my duty to ap-
prise you of this intention and to
give you my reasons for so doing.
When the peoples party movement
was started in the early COS, l real
lied that the chief difference between
the aims and purposes of the two
old parties was in name more than
in principle, and that there was an
actual necessity, appealing power
fully to patriotism and good citizen
ship, for third party as means of
checking the growth of plutocracy
and preserving that spirit of free
government with which the founders
of the republic imbued our institu-
tions. 1t is useless for me to go
back and describe the growth and
enumerate the successes of the peo-
ples party. 1t is sufficient to recall
the fact that in 1896 we elected some
rs members of the lower house OF
congress, and that at the extra ses-
sion of 1897 the peoples party eau
Gus in the senate had a membership
of eight. That this success, encourag-
ing as was its case, was brough
about by alliances with other parties
is made manifest and significant by
bare analysis of the vote. 1t il
pertinent in this connection to poin
out that this result was attained b,
an alliance in the north and west be
tween the populists and democrat
and in the south between the populist
and republicans. Beginning will
that alliance the factors, sincerel,
devoted to the countrys highest in
terest in the elements which then co
operated, have twice fought nation
al battle under common Leadership
and have been welded in fact, if no
IN name, into one grand organization
Now, Mr.. Chairman, L will stat
my reasons for this, to me, very i'm
portant step. When, in 1896, th
democratic party met in national con
vention a great battle was fought
The question was: Shall the part
adhere to its late policy of compromis
and makeshift declaration or shall
once more become the party of Je1
ferson and Jackson, both in its dc
clarations and fearless in its advc
cacy of equal rights to all an
special privileges to none"-whethe
1T was to be the party for the masses
We all know the outcome. Unde
the leadership of w. j. Bryan tt
masses won a decided moral victory
The platform adopted was one sati
factory to both the peoples and 81
yer republican parties.
However, in November of th'
year the battle was lost al the pol
by very narrow margin and I'll
general opinion was that, as resul
the democratic party would, In futur
repudiate its leader and its declar
tion This fear, and it alone, ke