Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-01-17
HEITFELD'S POSITION.
w. ]. BRYAN DISCUSSES HIS RE-
TURN TO DEMOCRACY.
Cooperation of tho Two Parties Es-
sentlal to the Success OF Their Plat
forms-Question of Imperialism Now
the Greatest Before the People.

Senator Heitfeld of Idaho has writ
ten letter to the chairman of the
Populist committee of his state, giving
his reasons for becoming member of
the Democratic party. During the last
two campaigns the Populists and the
Democrats have co-operated in the at
tempt to secure certain reforms which
both parties advocated. The first de-
feat was due to coercion such as was
never before practiced upon American
voters. The second defeat, as Senator
Heitfeld explains, was largely due to
the fact that times were better, which
fact caused a great many voters to
give apparent Endorsement to Repub-
lican policies rather than risk the eff
+ feet of what they considered a possible
change In Industrial conditions. The
issues which brought the reform par
ties together have not been settled and
are not likely to be settled by the Re-
publican party. That cooperation must
continue is certain; the only question
Is whether it shall be cooperation be-
tween organizations or cooperation
between individuals under one organ
ization. This is a question which must
be determined largely by local condi-
tons. If the Populists were to join
the Democratic party they would
strengthen the reform element in that
party and assist in preventing the re-
pudiation of the principles of the Kan
,lok
where the Populist party is strong as
compared with the Democratic party it
may be wiser to cooperate than to at
tempt the amalgamation of the parties.
For ten years | have advocated CO.
operation between the Democrats and
the Populists because, while their plat
forms are not identical on all ques-
tons, they are practically so upon the
questions Immediately before us. The
two questions about which Democrats
and Populists differ are, first, the re-
deemability of the greenbacks, and,
second. the government ownership of
railroads. AS to the first it may be
said that the question of redeemability
is of much less Importance than the
question of the governments right and
duty to issue all the paper money used.
The Democrats believe in government |
paper as against national bank paper, |
and it would be the height Oh folly for |
one who believes in government paper, |
but favors an irredeemable currency, |
to give direct or indirect aid to the Re-
publicans in their effort to retire green
backs and substitute national bank
notes.
1t will require the united aid of
Democrats and Populists to save the
greenback as it now is; when it is
saved from humiliation and the right
of the government to issue and control
the paper of the country is firmly es-
tablished, it will be time enough for
Democrats and Populists to fight out
their differences on the question of re-
deemability. Il am aware tina. some
Populists object to the word ''irredeem-
able" but l use it because it Is the
word usually employed and best under
stood)
AS to the second question, it must
be remembered that the government
regulation and control of railroads is
more easily secured than government
ownership. If the voters are not will
ing to compel railroads to deal justly
with their patrons, they are not likely
to enter upon so great an undertaking
as the government ownership and
operation of the railroads At present
there is so much indifference upon the
railroad question, that the Republican
party is able to fill the United States
senate with railroad attorneys without
protest from the rank and file of the
party. The recent consultations may
make the people study the question.
But just now there is an issue of
greater Importance than either the
money question or the railroad ques-
ton. The question of Imperialism
strikes at the very foundation of our
and no one who fully ap,
preciates the enormous and far-reach-
ing change which Imperialism will eff
feet in our institutions and our ideals
will oppose cooperation because of in
-erest in less important issues.
Whether one can serve his country
pest in the Democratic party or in the
Populist party is a question which each
must decide for himself. but whether
hose who oppose an imperial policy,
rust domination and the control of
,ur finances by financiers, should unite
against the common enemy until the
is saved from the dangers
which now threaten 1t is hardly an
open questionable Commoner.