The independent., 1903-07-09

and fellow committeeman: What OF
the west? Can we once again reclaim
the congressional and state legislative
seats we once had? :. Isn't 1T plain
that the path of victory does not lie
through combination with those who
tolerate our principles only that our
votes may help them to secure office?
We know where the south will be
when Wall street regains control OF
the democratic party; but is the west
ready to sound the note for an ad-l
vance?" (4'The Peoples Party" PIP.
/, 2. Independent, May 2S.)
r. C. Crenshaw, R. F. d. 4, Hopkins
vile, KY: "If the democrats adopt
a platform along tie lines of '96 and
1900 ard nominate men in sympathy
with the platform the populists will
vote with them. But Il the reergan-
izers get control of the convention and
make platform in the interest OF
trusts and money combines, and place
q reorganizer of the Cleveland type
at the head of the ticket, then all pop.
ulists and democrats with populist
tendencies will bolt, or revolt. and act
independently. If the populists have
an organization sufficient to form a
nucleus it is more than probable that
the disaffected element would rally
around that Icleus and try and bnil5
a party of sufficient strength to carry
enough states to hold the balance OF
power and throw the election into the
house of representatives, as we tried
to do in 1892. A short platform COW
ering a few of the most important is
sues, clear cut and distinct, from the
old isms Of the past should be the
policy of the populist party. II the
break comes next year, as | believe 1t
will, who will be the Joshua to Lead
us to the land of promise? This ques-
ton is important. Keep your eve out
for him. ("Kentncky Populists,' p
S, Independent, May 2S.)
Mark Foster, Washington, D. G.:
"Populists, where they are numerous
enough to elect their men, can af-
ford to put up Independent candidates,
but in the very many places where
they are only third party, and a
small one at that, it is discouraging to
work for candidates whom they know
in advance will be defeated; yet by
selecting and indorsing the best can
didates of the old parties, the populists
could assume the prerogative of decid-
ing the election every time. Then the
old parties would defer to them, and
Lut up their best element; for in both
the old parties are plenty OF men who
personally are superior to what their
rarties in general have hitherto been.
Such men would be put up more and
more; the old parties would do the
nominating, and the populists would
do the electing, and we would have the
Offices filled by mer holding populistic
views. What difference then If they
are not members of the party?" (sTac-
tics for Populists,' p. 10, Independent.
May 49,
Hugo Preyor. IA Muirson ST., Cleve-
land, O.: "There is still populist
organization in this state | am the
secretary. We have, however af-
flljated with the democratic party
since the first Bryan campaign. l do
uOC kuOW vi any pOpuliSIS WIZ nave
gone into the republican party; some,
perhaps one-tenth, have Joined hands
with the socialists. Our future action
will depend upon the action of the
democratic party. If that party will
in national issues favor the Bryan
platform we can indorse it; or if in
state and local issues it will advocate
the platform of Hon. Tom i. Johnson,
who favors home rule, single tax, mu-
nicipal ownership of all public utili-
ties, who opposes trusts combines and
traitors in Office, we can support it
without sacrificing one iota cf our
principles. The financial question is
in my mind still the most important
question and until that is satisfactorily
settled, not only along the silver, but
the absolute fiat line, the country will
witness in the future what it has in
the past-panie, bankruptcy and ruin.
The present tariff holds the structure
only temporarily" ("Ohio Populists,' -
z. 1, Independent, June A.
Edward S. Grece, 81 Hodges bldg,
Detroit, Mich: 81 am frank to admit
that | have not faith sufficiently con-
vincing tn me tO assure me that Mr.