The independent., 1903-04-09
APRIL 2, 1908.

and think we should have been salts
| fed with the result and kept up the
battle single handed. | believe to-
day she would be the first or at least
the second party; but when it came to
1894 it started fusion in the north
with the democratic, and in the south
with the republican party, then in
1896, they nominated Bryan and Wat
son. After the republican party split
up, and also the democratic party, one
| wing of the democratic and the sill
yer republicans nominated Bryan, but
not Watson; then the populist party
split in two and we had two popalist
parties.
| for my part never believed that
| the democratic party could be re-
formed, but | did stay with the pop
ulist party and voted for Bryan. Then
III lS0U the gold democrats OF the re-
organizers got control in most of the
states and repudiated the Chicago and
Kansas City platforms and at last
when the plutocrats got about that
Bryan would be elected, they trotted
out Grover Cleveland to make that lit
tie speech on that old fraud, tariff,
which | believe was one of the causes
that drove the most of the populists
back in the republican party Every
body must admit that in '92 the most
strength of the peoples party came
from the republican and socialist par
ties. There must have been something
wrong with the populist party in
those states where they had control
OF state government or they would
not have lost about, every state and
will not be represented in the next
congress and senate. But it is no use
TO cry over the mistake that has been
made; the question is, what should
done now, and so I will try to ex-
plain what | think.
Ii you look over the platform of all
the reform parties, there is very little
dlHerence, and If they expect to ac-
compllsh anything they should come
together and see il they could agree
on platform and fight the battle
together under one banner Suppose
the st. Louis fair starts in April.
there should be a conference called,
say at st. Louis, Chicago, Omaha
Kansas City, or some other city not
too far from st. Louis, as the railroad
VIII give reduced rates. The populist.
socialist, social democrats. social Ia
Dor. union reform prohibition, woman
suffrage, single takers, also the So
called Bryan democrats, the dissatis-
ned republicans and all the silver un-
ions should send delegations to that
conference and see if they cannot
agree On some basis and start new.
party, and agree on name for the
new party; also on the representation
10 the national convention and the
GATE and place to be held.
But the convention should be hello
early in 1904. before the republican
and reorganizer democrats conyen-
tlon. The same should be done in
al the state and county conventions
and try to agree on a platform and
every one should roll up his sleeves
and work for it to win. I think the
main plank should be the Initiative
ana referendum as an amendment to
tue constitution. If that would he
adopted every reform could be gotten
out not as it is today. We send con-
gressmen and senator's to Washington
NA " ehCy NOLllng Tor
the producers, but everything for tha
plutocrats. There should be q nlank
Ior government ownership of rail-
roads, telegraphs, telephone, and coal
mines; that would do more than all
Che trust remedies advocated bv the
republican and democratic parties
Inc money should be issued by the
government, whether gold. silver or
paper, and not through the hanks 40
IL Is now done. The president vice
president, senator's and sunreme
judges should be elected bv direct
vote. Postal savings banks should
De established; but the initiative and
referendum should be the main issue
Tor my part would be satisfied If
there was nothing else in the platforn,
and l think every true reformer has
TO admit and agree to it. Now ! uo,,ls
like to hear from some more ab1a
thinkers and writer's on these nrono0
sltlons through The Independent
Curtis Bay, Md. '