The independent., 1903-07-09

the democrats will take possession of
the peoples party, and their combined
forces will storm the citadel of greed"
just how this taking possession in
1904 was to be accomplished, Mr. Clark
did not make clear, but as treasurer of
the peoples party of Maryland, his
name is signed to an address to the
people of Maryland (see Maryland
Populists," p. 2, Independent, June 25,
1909 in which this language occurs:
Eve believe the time has come for
action, and the large number who have
lost faith in the two old parties by
reason of their utter lack OF prin-
ciples, encourages the belief that
many, If the chance be given them,
will rally to the support of party
which honestly seeks to free the peo-
pie from the present unbearable po-
litical oppression" N-'
On that day the editor gave a heart
to heart talk with. the chairman of the
peoples party national committee (see
Marion Butler, Listen" p. 8, indie
pendent, Nov II, 1902 in which the
situation was clearly presented and the
following suggestion made: -l#
'"The Independent believes that the
chairman of the peoples party, under
these conditions, should call national
and representative council some time
during next winter and let the party
make a formal and official statement
concerning the policy that it proposes
to pursue in the future. Let him in
vite to that council representative Bry-
an democrats, and let both OF them
promuIgate a statement to plutocratic
democrats that there can be no mis-
understanding. Let these democrats
and populists bid defiance to the reor-
ganizers and tell them that from
heneeforth there is fight on with no
let-up until it is decided whether a
rarty can put up candidates for con-
gress and president under one name,
when it is divided into two sections
holding dimaterieally opposing prin-
ciples."
Although hundreds of progressive
democrats, supporters of the Kansas
City platform. living in states where
the peoples party organization had
gone downg we're anxious for such d
conference, none of them could Off
cially make such call, as tlat would
be a confession of defeat at the hands
of the reorganizers nearly two years
in advance. But Butler could have
made the call without prejudicing> in
the least the cause If the Kansas City
platform democrats. Yet he would not.
And the winter dragged along and
spring came. He had all sorts of ex-
cuses made to others, but to The In
dependent not one word would he
vouchsafe He preferred to take a
referendum vote-and had lost his list
of the national committeeman!
1t is not The Independents desire
to harp upon this failure of Chairman
Butler to act. Long ago Chairman
Parker expressed his willingness. and
the conference might have heen held
February %, this year. What effect
such a meeting might have had can
only be surmised, but it seems prob
able that the Kansas City platform
democrats of Iowa-the ones who are
really imbued with the principles
might have been spared the humilia-
tion of their recent convention expert
ence An ultimatum to the reorganiz-
ers given last winter in no uncertain
tones would have shown them fulfill
ity of further action. But it may all
be for. the best Perhaps the Indiana
democrat Is right: "1t is useless for