The independent., 1903-12-17

for president and vice president by di-
rect vote. With nearly a million pop
uiists now affiliated with and particle
pating in the democratic, prohibition,
socialist and other primaries, neither
the Butler nor the Parker organiza-
ton know where these populists are
with sufficient exactness to warrant
a nomination by the Cincinnati plan.
But the ultimate purpose of the Old
Guard of Populism, as | view it, is to
put In practical operation eventually
this much neglected Cincinnati plan.
] feel sure it cannot be done in time
for the presidential nomination next
year, and that a delegate convention
in 1904 Is necessary evil. But there
is no reason why, with a large en-
roiiment of populists, built upon the
modern library card index system, the
new national committee cannot take
the Old Guard OF Populism for the
foundation upon which to build the
perfected "Streeter" organization.
AS an aid to the national commit
tee In its work next year, the card in
dex with it's list Of the Old Guard
will prove invaluable-worth many
times the effort made In building 1t
up.
On Saturday, December 5, 1903, /
sent out 960 circular letters containing
the prospectus of the Old Guard OF
POpulism. These were sent as test
to discover il there is any life among
the populists of America. The plan
was explained fully. 1t was shown
that If done at all, the work must be
made to pay its own way by voluntary
contributions of those who enroll
because none of the three committees
have any funds to work with.
The results to date warrant belief
that the Old Guard of Populism can
be built up rapidly, and that the con-
tributions will pay the expenses and
perhaps leave something to turn over
to the national committee. Although
the $50 circular letters were mailed
late Saturday evening, the following
Monday forenoon brought replies from
Indiana, Kansas and Col0rado-and
each days mail brings replies from
greater distance.
addressed to those who took part in
the Denver conference or sent letters
of regret-about 140 In all; to the
fusion" peoples party national COM
mittee; to the state members Of the
Denver conference organization COM
mittee; and some 800 to populists who,
within the past year, have had COM
munications printed in the Missouri
World, Southern Mercury, The Inde-
pendent and other populist papers
names had collected by means of the
library card index plan. Classified by
states, the $50 were as follows: Ala
bama II, Alaska /, Arizona 5, Arkan-
sas 80, California Is, Colorado 35,
Connecticut 7, Delaware 8, District Of
Columbia Z, Florida 10, Georgia %,
Idaho Z, Illinois 81, Indiana 81, Ind
ian Territory 9, Iowa 81, Kansas 43,
Kentucky 10, Louisiana IL, Maine 5,
Maryland T. Massachusetts 8, Michi-
gan Il. Minnesota 8, Mississippi 6,
Missouri 81, Montana 10, Nebraska
III. Nevada l, New Hampshire 4. New
Jersey 10, New Mexico s. New York
19. North Carolina IL, North Dakota
S, Ohio 18. Oklahoma II, Oregon %,
Pennsylvania Is, South Dakota II,
Tennessee 18. Texas 116. Utah 3. Ver-
mont 4. Virginia s. Washington IL,
West Virginia II, Wisconsin 6, Wyo-
ming 3.
1t will be noted that every state and
territorv-except South Carolina and
Rhode Islands represented in this
list.
CONCENTRATIONS