The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-05-05


(Althougb the Empire State has a
great many radicals, yet owing 70
the overpowering machinery OF the
two old parties they have not been
able to accomplish much-or what
upon the surface would appear to be
much. for it must be conceded That
they have succeeded in educating lar
larger number of voters in true po-
iitical economy than the election re-
turns will show.
In 1902 there were 16,429 votes cast
in New York state for the Weaver
electors, while Wing, the socialist la
Dor candidate, had 1856. That year
the peoples party had congressional
candidates in 10 of the "a congress
sional districts In 1893, Lawrence j.
McParlin of LOckport-at present che
of the Butler national committee le-
ceived 1921 votes for judge of the
court of appeals.
AS result of the nomination of
Bryan in 1886, the peoples party OF
New York lost its legal identity,
which it has never regained, because
of the excessive cost OF placing a
ticket upon the ballot by petition. The
law requires each signer to make az
fidavit that he will support the ticket
which goes on thus, and as these az
fidavits become public property after
ward, they can be used to much the
same purpose for coercion and intiml-
dation as the records in the Nebraska
primary election law. The net effect
is that unless the petition is circu-
lated at a time when enthusiasm is at
high tide men must be hired to make
these afidavits. Hence, to put ticket
on by petition in New York costs
something like $4,000, and, having
lost its legal identity, and being weak
in numbers, the New York peoples
party never regained its place.
A number, of the radicals, however,
who had been aifiliating with the DEM
Ocratic party since 1896, and who
could moi become members of either
wing of the socialists, determined in
1902 to put a radical ticket in the
field. These men were not welded
to name, but they decided that TIE
term liberal democracy" would be
preferable to the old peoples patty
name and so adopted it. Besides, it
gave them an opportunity to enter the
regular democratic primaries and
make fight to control them. This,
of course, availed them little except
in few places. However, this is
simply statement of facts rather
than an argument for or against the
sOundness of their position as to pO-
litical policy.
That the men who took part in this
movement were populists, regardless
of the name they chose, is evidenced
by the platform they enumerated and
the fact that such men as DeMyre S.
Zero participated in the work. Zero
was the peoples party candidate for
congress from the 23rd district in 1885,,
he was the liberal democratic canii-
date for state treasurer in 1902; he
was the chairman of the recent coln-
mittee to select delegates to Spring
field
The experience OF the liberal demo-
Gratis in 1902 convinced them that they
could expect no great growth without
the backing Of national party. They
foresaw that the democratic party OF
New York, and In all likelihood of the
nation, would turn its back upon the
reform course begun In 1896. and 1t
became evident that they must come
TO the peoples party after all in or
der to be part of great national
party OF radical reform.
The communication below Is from
Hon. Frank Johnson, OF Schenectady,