The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-10
AGAINST FUSION.
Minnesota Populists Start a Movement
to Prevent 1t.
Minneapolis Journal:

" fICNSut
Minneapolis Journal:
No more national fusion
This is the substance Of brief reso-
luton unanimously adopted at re-
cent meeting of the Minnesota Populist
central committee, and the promoters
of the action declare that it is the
forerunner of similar action in every
state in the union where the people s
party is still enough of figure to ex
ert any influence.
However, there is lively fight in
prospect between the factions. AT the
head of those desirious of continue
ton of the policy of the past are such
men as Charles A. Towne of Mime
sofa and Senator Allen of Nebraska.
On the other side are National Chair
man Marion Butler and Senator Petit
grew, South Dakota, as the leaders.
Mr.. Bryan is in sympathy with those
who are endeavOring to promote
complete cementing OF the Democratic
and fopulistic parties
Some one has called conference up
on this question at Omaha the later
part of this month Plans will be dis
cussed for the final absorption OF the
Populist party by the Democracy.
The move has evidently been engl-
neered by Messrs Bryan, Towne and
Allen, and the fact that they have in
vited Messrs. Pettigrew and Butler to
participate is evidence that they have
not Investigated the sentiment of the
Populist leaders thoroughly.
The move for complete disunion in
a national sense originated with a
Minnesota man, q. II. Austin, at that
time secretary of the Minnesota state
committee, and now the Minnesota
member of the POpulist committee.
Last fall Mr.. Austin penned letter to
National Chairman Butler in which
he set forth his opinion that contin-
uation of the practice of fusing upon
the presidential ticket could only re-
suit ultimately in the obliter ration of
the Popullst party. aaa --.---pa-.s. .u-..
Mr.. Austin argued that the Demo
Gratis of the east would never consent
to vote for a Democrat tainted with
Populism, while on the other hand,
the Populists of the west and sou tn
would never consent to follow the
leadership of candidate forced upon
them by the Democracy. In the nature
of things the candidate was bound to
lose votes at both ends, and that meant
certain defeat. Fusion locally, argued
Mr.. Austin, was a good thing. 1t
brought out the party vote and thus
kept up the party organization. 1t
permitted the southern Populists to
fuse with the Republicans, while those
of the north fused with the Demo
Gratis. In every way it operated to the
benefit of the Populists.
Chairman Butler in the main ap-
proved the suggestions, but the matter
had been taken up too late for action
in time for the last campaign.
The resolution ado pied at the recent
meeting of the Populist state central
committee is the beginning of the
campaign which Mr.. Austin and his
friends intend making. Forty mem
bers of the committee, including
Chairman Lawson, were present and
the sentiment was unanimous.
Since the adoption of the resolution
by the Minnesota committee there has
been another exchange of letters be-
tween Messrs. Butler and Austin. The
latter wrote to inform the national
chairman of the action taken and
called attention to the fact that it was
along the path outlined in letters ex-
changed year ago. Chairman Butler
replied fully indorsing the action of
the Minnesota state committee and ex-
pressing the hope that other states will
follow the example.
"All independent peoples party
presidential ticket in the next cam
paign is absolutely necessary" says
Chairman Butler
Mr.. Austin also communicated the
news to Senator Pettigrew and receiv-
ed from his an emphatic Endorsement,
and inasmuch as both Butler and
Pettigrew are to be at Omaha it is
evident that the Bryan and Towne
element is not to have its will without
a struggle.