Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-05-16
The Political Outlook.

met now. The scab element that sloughed OH
from the Democratic party two years ago is
now back in the ranks, with some show OF sue
cess in shaping the policy of the party IN the
next camaign. The element can always De
deepened upon to favor everything that decent
neonle don't want. II is loud-mouthed, rotten,
rumsoaked and aggressive. 1t has no conscience
and respects no law of either God or man.
But little good can be expected from party
that ailiates with or even toerates in Its RANKS
such herd of political bummers.
Two years ago, one of this element was
candidte for a state office, and, on the way to
the state convention, he had his grip well filled
with bottles of whisky, and was treating all
who lowered themselves to his level by drink
inc with him. He was nominated, but over
vtelmingly beaten at the polls. His candida
CIV served one good purpose, and that was to I'M
press upon conventions the fact that the people
of Kansas are not yet far lost to love OF SELF
respect and common decency as to elect to ONCE
coarse, immoral, profane man simply because
a convention nominated him.
Inst now, so tar as the Democrats are con-
cerued, it looks like this element is in the sad
die. These yawpers are always yelling, long
and loud, for resubmission, local option or any
thing to destroy prohibition.
We give notice now that fusion or no fusion,
we will support no man or party that attempts
10 strike down prohibition in Kansas. If we
are to have saloons in Kansas, let them be re-
stored by the Republican party, which, tor
wears. has been double-dyed hypocrite and
traitor to prohibition. Its reputation tor treach-
erv and double dealing is thoroughly established.
It mas no character to lose, so, ii anything real
mean is to be done, let the Republican party 40
T. Bv force of habit, it is already laying its
plans to 90 through the next campaign with
;oint;st on one shoulder and church deacon on
the other.
The Peoples party is not perfect. 1t has
blatherskites in its ranks, but they are compar-
itively few. Its percentage OF clean' honest'
conscientious men is so great that it pre-
SCENTS the very serious question as to whether
it is advisable to fuse with the Democratic party
under its present leadership in Kansas we
have taken the position in the past, and still ad
here to it, that it is better for party to atand
alone and be right than to fuse with any party
at doubtful charchter, and whose only ambition
seems TO be scramble for the Offices.
We believe the Republican party is men-
ace to the welfare of this republic. We be-
l;eve il is a traitor to the common people. we
believe it is the plant tool of the monopolies
and trusts. which are robbing the masses OF
hundreds of millions of dollars annually. AND
vet we would have no choice between 1t anc
the Democracy represented by the Hills anc
Clevelands-and that is the kind of Democracy
that is liable to run the machine in Kansas IN
1904. 1t may be that there will be read)ust
ment of political lines in Kansas, even thi'
wear. There ought to be party brave enough
and broad enough to stand for all the principles
that look to the advancement OF the best inter
ests of all the people
Whenever the Peoples party unites with any
other party saturated with the Hill and Cleve
land influence, it will die, and ought to die.
We shall watch with deep interest the actor
Of the Democratic and Peoples party state
conventions, soon to convene in Kansas. ii
The two parties fuse land declare for resubmiss'oH
and ignore the Kansas City platform, and in
dulee in a string of glittering generalitles'
,y;,i cause tremor along the whole line, and
voters nv tens of thousands will refuse to be
,,orrd bv any such surrender of principle. II
Lii require mighty straightforward, ringing
rlotform. that MEANS SOMETHING, to HOLD RE
roRMERs IN LINE
EAT at the RED LIGHT.