The independent., 1903-06-18
EpaERToN,s CALL

note the call of J. A. Edgerton, sec
retary of the national committee OF
the peoples party, for a conference of
reformers to meet in Denver, July 27,
1903. This is mo- call for meeting
Of the national committee, or for a
conference looking to reunion of the
two wings of the peoples party, but
rather for a conference of progressive
democrats, single takers, moderate So
cialists, populists and reformers gen.
orally, to take some steps looking to-
ward agreement on a few fundamental
planks upon which all may unite for
the battle CT 1904 1904.
Long ago The Independent called
upon National Chairman Butler to
take the initiative in calling some such
a conference, or meeting having for
its object the reunion Of the two wings
of the peoples party, but he has per-
s,stently refused to accord The lnde-
pendent the slight courtesy of even the
scratch of a pen." He has failed 20
make the slightest acknowledgment
CT letters containing return postage.
Apparently he is "sulking in his tent
because of his failure to secure re-elec-
ton to the United States senate. In
any event, he has no just reason for
his attitude toward The independent
a paper that has in the past devoted
many columns of it's space to publish
ing Mr.. Buffers speeches while IN
congress and.in every way showed its
friendliness toward him. Patience
has ceased to be a virtue in this 1E-
stance, and The Independent calls
upon Vice Chairman ]. II. Edmisten
to perform his duty as actual head OF
the national committee. Ii the mid
readers contention was good in 1900
(that Butler vacated" his chair) it is
certainly good now. 7 his refusal to
actin the face. of many requests TO.
do so-he has virtually abdicated; and
Mr.. Edmisten should act. Doubtless
it would be well for tie poDulist state
committee, at it's meeting the 23rd
instant, to pass a resolution requesting
Mr.. Edmisten to act.
Mr.. Edgerton's call is not intended
to limit the meeting to popul1sts-as
was said before-but at such meeting
time will be an excellent opportunity
for the two national committees OF
the peoples party to "get together.
Accordingly, for the fusion populists
Mr.. Edmisten should make a call for
a meeting of the committee of which
she is the actual head.
j 1t is hoped that sufficiently large
number will be + ,sent to make the
= n Getting a representative one. The
time is too sho.- to make any elabor-
ate preparations, election of delegates,
and the like. But any reformer who
fe els that his voice might add some
thing toward a solution of the pro-
blem of what to do next year." should
consider himself a committee OF one
tc attend. Doubtless C. -irman Parker
will see to it that his wing of the peo-
pies party is present by representa-
tives.
Secretary Edgerton's four PROPOSE
tions deserve especial attention. They
cover sufficient ground.
1. "a peoples money, issued in
sufficient quantity to @ business with
out panics, and controlled by the gov
ernment instead of by the banks.
2. Government ownership of rail-
roads and telegraphs.
g. "a government brought nearer
the people through direct legislation
and popular election Of senators.
4. Land for occupancy and use
rather than for speculation"
In point of time direct legislation
&C mes first-because until it is accom-.
plished little can be done with the
other demands. 1t is a political re-