The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1903-08-27
THE STATE CONVENTION

convention assembled at Grand Island,
did two things which The Independent
can indorse in the heartiest manner,
and one which it considers unwise-
but, it must be said, one the wisdom
or unwisdom of which the lapse or
time only can demonstrate. The two
acts which The Independent believes
were the only sensible ones to per-
form, were the denomination or ChleI
Justice John J. Sullivan and the nom
iration of Prof. William A. Jones and
DR.. Ernest o. Weber to be regents OF
the state university. In this opinion
every delegate to the state convention
ccncurred.
The one act to which The lndepen-
dent takes exception was the referring
t. our next state convention TO eject
rational delegates" resolution which
recited the work of the Denver confer
ence and concluded THAT our hearty
Endorsement is hereby given to the
work performed by said Denver con-
ferancc, heretofore outlined,
The Independent is an advocate or
majority rule and therefore, bows to
the will of the majority as expressed
at the Grand Island convention. That
is to say, it will render every assist
ance it can to secure the election OF
Judge Sullivan and Regents Jones
and Weber, because, as the platform
truly says, Judge Sullivan is honest,
| impartial, and learned in the law,
possessing these qualities in an emil
rent degree" and because Messrs.
Jones and Weber are true blue pop
u,ists. men of character and ability,
who will be a credit to the board OF
regents. At the same time The lnde-
rendent reserves the right to say that
the turning down of the work OF the
Denver conference can have no other
logical conclusion than the abandon
q ent of the populist organization IN
Nebraska, if no steps be taken TO
counterfeit the effect of the conven-
tons body blow.
| This is said in all kindness and
sincerity-for The Independent has lost
a number of hard fought battles IN
state conventions, and is not given to
SEEING blue devils. But the arguments
adduced in favor of the reference to
some future convention ian Intended
ly polite way of strangling a measure
which ought either to have lived or
died in a hand to hand fight are the
strongest that could possibly be made
against a further continuance of the
peoples Independent party Organiza-
ton. There is no field for party that
must wait upon the action OF some
other before expressing an opinion as
to it's future course.
The effect of this action upon the
populists of other states will be de-
pr essing In many states they some
years ago abandoned their Organiza-
ton and entered the democratic party;
hut as soon as the peoples party was
well swallowed and assimilated, the
r1utocratic element in democracy again
asserted itself al is in open or secret
control. Especially is this true in
Iowa, where such men as James B.
Weaver, w. HI. Robb and others al
lowed their party to die. In Nebraska
! alone did the populists persistently
Keep up their party OrganizatiOn-ano
, lust as that organization was strong OF
weak, the battles were won or lost
If it shall happen that this is the last
? ropulist state convention in Nebraska
- which is by no means beyond the
f realm of probability-no well-infOrme6
> democrat in Nebraska would need tC
guess twice as to which of the re-
n aiming parties would win the victor.
, les.
However, The Independent has moi
yet given up the fight. Ii may be
whipped, but never conquered. Il
stands ready to help in the work Of
: Iopulist organization in other states
a work which it is precluaed from do
! ing in its home stated.