The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-15
PROGRESS Of POPULISM

Joliet, ILL.,, Sept IA special tele-
gram to the Chicago Chronicle, dated
at Omaha, the 8th, says:
"This morning committee of dem
Ocratic leaders served formal notice
on the populist state committee at
Lincoln that unless they ceased their
attacks on Judge Parker the friends of
the democratic candidate for the presi-
dency would retaliate by attacking
Berge, the populist candidate for gov
ernor on the fusion ticket and do their
best to defeat him."
An intelligent expression of opinion
as to the merits of this formal notice"
by so-called democratic leaders"
would necessitate knowledge of their
names-which the dispatch does not
give. 1t may have been served by
certain self-styled democratic lead
ers'' of Nebraska's metropolis, who in
the past have never failed to support
the corporation candidates for state Of
fce-whether nominated by the repub-
licans or the democrats; and il SO,
deserves no attention whatever, for
these men will knife Berge anyway.
But il it comes from men of character,
who have any prominence in the demo-
cratic councils of Nebraska, there
would seem to be but one honorable
course open to the populists: For ey-
cry populist candidate for state Office
to file with the secretary of state his
declination of the democratic nomina-
ton, and for the populist state COM
mittee to withdraw from the peoples
independent ticket the names OF the
three democrats thereon. fill the va
cancies thus created with tried and
true popuIists, and make straightfor-
ward fight for populism all along the
line.
Many of the Nebraska pOpulists are
bitterly opposed to the fusion on state
officers, believing that the net effect
would be to cut down WatsOn's vote
and increase Judge Parker's. The
Chronicle dispatch, If true, would in
dicate that the democrats understand
the situation and are working to ac-
complish just such result.
Chairman Ferriss delivered an adj
dress at the county fair, Burlingame,
Kan, September 8. and from there
went to Wichita to attend the popu-
list conference, at which it will be de-
termined whether the populists of Kan
sas will try to hold another cOnven-
tion and put up state ticket to appear
under the peoples party head, imme-
diately following the Watson and lib
bles electors; or whether they will
abide by the decision of the convention
held August 8, whereat fusion ticket
was agreed upon to appear under the
democratic head following the Parker
and Davis electors.
The situation in Kansas is different
from that in Nebraska owing to a
statute enacted by the republican legis-
lature in 1902. designed to prevent CO.
operation between two separate par
ties Its intended effect was to elimi-
nate the peoples party-and the demo-
cratic state senator's made no effort to
stop its passage. Foolishly~ too, be-
cause the peoples party is the only
real opposition to the republicans in
ing the republicans, the former scene
ing the rebuplicans, the former scene
of John Browns struggles is always
safely epublican-except in rare in
stances, perhaps, where something like
the old prohibition-whiskey fight can
be raised.
A letter from Leland M. Guice,
IOngstreet, La, under date of Septem-
Der 2. conveys the sad news that Hon.
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