The independent., 1903-05-28
UcKY POpUtISTs
National Committssman Crsnshaw Speaks
Fer His Stats-Will not Followa
Cleveland Reorganizer

Fer His Stats-Wnl not Followa
Cleveland Reorganizer
Editor Independent: In reply to
yours of the 10th inst. will say ! re-
ceived the Henry George Edition OF
The Independent, and read it with
great deal of Interest and found it to
contain a vast amount OF wholesome
doctrine as we'll as useful information.
wish it could have larger circula-
tion in Kentucky, as our people neei
education along the lines that are
taught by The Independent.
You ask some very pertinent ques
tions in your circular letter, and J
am glad that some one is trying to
keep alive the organization that ac-
complished to much good in putting
before the people some real reforms
and opened their eyes to the avarice.
and greed of the money power. IN?
great principles and truths that were
taught by the peoples party were as
seed planted in the minds and hearts
of the people that have taken root
and will bear It's fruit in future ger
erations. The populist organlZatloh
has gone down in Kentucky In .
few counties they still maintain
kind Of independence, but as ruiz
they affiliate with the older parties.
You ask what caused this loss?' The
answer is plain: the reorganization o.
the. democratic party on true demo
cratic lines at Chicago in 1896 and
Kansas City in 1900. The popuIists 'f
this state felt then, and feel now, that
they can follow the leadership OF ".
J. Bryan without sacrifice OF any
very important principle. Eighty per
cent of the party became followers OF
Bryan. Fifteen per cent went back
into the republican party and about
five per cent became socialists.
If the democrats adopt a platform
along the lines of '96 and 1900 and
nominate men in sympathy with the
Platform the populists will vote with
them. But if the "reorganizers" get
control of the convention and make
q platform in the interest OF trusts
and money combines, and place re-
organizer of the Cleveland type at the
head of the ticket, then all populists
and democrats with pcpulist tenden-
cies will bolt or revolt, and act In
dependently. If the populists have an
organization sufficient to form a
nucleus it is more than probable that
the disaffected element would rally
around that nucleus and try and build
a party of sufficient strength to carry
enough states to hold the balance OF
power and throw the election into the
house of representatives, as we tried
to do in 1892.
The democrats everywhere are de
claring for municipal ownership OF
public utilities. and the popullsts az
a rule are satisfied to give that a
trial before the ownership of railroads
bv the government. Our people are not
sufficiently educated on the single tax
question to have any definite or fixed
ideas along that line, and [ hardly
think it advisable to adopt that plank
in full until the people understand
it better. If the democrats force us
to take independent action next year
I would dislike very much to see our
populist people cucumber themselves
with too many new and untried re-
forms.
Do not under end me to oppose the
single tax system, for | do not.
think it a great idea and if practicable
and feasible there is plenty OF time to
nut it into the platform of great
political party. But l do not believe
. it has been sufficiently tried in a
small way to demonstrate that it is
practicable for a great nation like
this short platform covering a
few of the most important issues
clear cut and distinct from the old
isms of the past should be the polio?
of the populist party. If the breai,
comes next year, as believe it will
who will be the Joshua to lead us
to the land of promise? This ques-
tion is important. Keep your eye out
for him. r. c. CRENSHAW.
Hopkinsville, KY. RID. 4.