The independent., 1904-01-14

uOiulc TclOIm IOf tu6 D6ILcr OlSITlDu-
tion of wealth and the overthrow of
monopoly and privilege, it is neces-
sary that the people be free to enact
such laws as serve the purpose aimed
at. In Russia it is beyond the power
OF the people to have economic reform
until they can secure a constitutional
government, for which they are con-
stantly waging war of some kind or
another on the present oligarchy of
power, and economic reform is lost
sight of.
The people of these United States,
in some degree, are in the same posi-
tion of subsection to undue power in
the hands Of an oligarchy of monopoly
and privilege, which, through politi-
Cal machines and election laws framed
by those machines, and through the
manipulation of police power, is en-
abied to thwart the will of the masses
and prevent even moderate and rea-
sonable reform and therefore they
must free themselves from such DOM
ination before they can hope to bring
about the economic reforms they know
to be necessary and just. So far as
am personally concerned, believe
the land question to be the most i'm
pCrtant of all questions, but | defer
to the preponderance of populist SEN
timent which finds voice in a belief
| that the financial question Is the most
important, hence | place the declara-
ton on that subject first of those on
economic reforms and second in the
| lici 0f dno1oratinpc nj hnr
two, third and fourth, for the same
reason, the question in which | am
most interested, being the last in the
qIartette.
| Now, subsidiary to these general
principles, series of minor demands
might be Incorporated with good ef-
| feet, but | would advise that the plat
form be made as short as possible,
consistent with terseness and COM
| pleteness.
have gone into this matter in the
form set forth for the purpose of MAX
ing some suggestions to the readers of
The Independent, who contemplate at
tending the conference at this point
on February %. Those promoting the
conference have in view the reorgani-
zation and the rehabilitation of the
peoples party on lines of absolute in
dependence of other political organi-
Zations. | will not enter into any
extended argument to show that, with
this object and only this object as
the guiding incentive and announced
purpose of the conference it will
prove failure. 1t should be sufficient
to convince any reasonable mind that
Mr. Bryan's leadership has not in the
remotest degree been discredited
among the rank and file of the demo-
cratic party, and until it is so disored-
ited by his desertion to the plutocratic
influences now seeking to control the
organization, which | do not antici-
pate, the efforts to create a diversion
from the hosts be leads, is worse than
suicidal, for it will discredit those en-
gagged in it. Then again, the machin-
cry of elections being in the hands OF
the two dominant parties throughout
the country, no third party could gel
fair count, if it's vote should be sc
large as to threaten the interests OF
either. Of course, this is no excuse
for abandoning the movement to bulld
up the party anew in the interests ol
the people as whole, if there is moth
ing else to do that will prove more
: efficacious in accomplishing the ends
sought. But | propose to make some
suggestions in advocacy of Other
methods of procedure, which | be-
lieve will prove to be wiser and NOR,
effective. without abandonment of tn,
: principle of independent political ac
: tion and without the necessity of dis
carding a single principle for whicl
: we stand.
| propose to the populist leaders o
: the country that they invite, through
: the mediumship of The Independent
and other party papers. and those
: otherwise friendly TO the cause o
: progressive government along tn,
lines mapped out. all who believe II
1 the principles enunciated, to meet a
, st. Louis on February %, and form
. peoples democratic party to operat,
within the lines OF the present demo
G cratic organization with view 10 cap
: turing the organization and commit
: ting IL 10 the principles we declar,
for. This can be accomplished. | an
: sure, hy forming distinct and Eap