The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-01
Tsras PopuIlsts.

itself:
Houston, Tex, Aug 21.-Hon. J. ].
Eager. Chairman Executive Committee
PEOPLES Party of Texas.-Dear Sir:
Yours of the 18th instant, conveying
to me the formal notification OF my
nomination for the high Office of state
comptroller by the peoples party con-
vention at Fort Worth on the 10th OF
this month. is received.
From perfect knowledge of the aims
and purposes which animated the
members of the convention and the
constituent masses they represented,
the honor conferred by this nnsought
nomination is highly appreciated.
Although absorbed in business
that demands my whole time, my in
terest as citizen has kept alive those
purposes which have ever actuated the
true reformer. and If / have not at
tended your meetings and conventions
these later years, it was not because
had faltered in the line of duty, de-
serted principles by reason OF defeat,
or suppressed them for material in
terests. My heart was with you on the
tenth OF August when you met at Fort
Worth to enter another protest against
machine politics and the perpetuation
of the sham battles between the two
political set~fasts, miscalled democratic
and republican parties.
All we predicted in 1896, when the
democratic machine tried to adopt our
whole platform, has come true. The
true men in that Earty who responded
to the eloquent appeals OF Mr., Bryan
when he warned the country of the
insidiOus methods Of the old political
machines to establish Industrial slav-
cry upon the people through combi11a-
lions OF capital and drastic financial
system, intended to rob the treasury
through bond issues, to maintain a
preposterous idea of a redemption fund
and the masses through unjust and
discriminating banking laws. These
men told us to drop our party name
and organization and to become alb
sorbed in the tender embraces OF re-
formed democracy. The ensuing cleo
ton resulted in Bryans defeat by a
combination within his own party,
which was too conservative to de-
sire any change from the old methods
dictated by Wall street.
In Bryan's second nomination he
was merely man Of straw. set up
by Tammanv and eastern plutocrats,
purposely to be knocked over and him
self politically buried forever. At the
last national convention of the party
the cloven foot was disclosed when all
reform surrendered to eastern plutOc-
racy and upon the ruins of true issues
were set UP sectional and personal
questions, which really are but sub
terfuges, intended to deceive the peo-
Pile, while political demagogues plot
for the spoils of Office.
1t seems to me shame to put in
allegiance momentous questions, re-
sulting from the joint misrule of re-
publicans and democrats, questions
which should be solved, and solved
quickly, to prevent internecine strife,
and the utter destruction of free gov
eminent. The country is now on the
verge of revolution. The man who
can not see in the prevailing unrest,
the strikes, the drastic and unconsti-
tutional methods of capitalistic retail
alton upon the abuses Of unionism, the
demagogy in politics, and the preva-
lent corruption caused by grafters, lob
byists, ct Id omne, dangers demanding
the prompt attention of true politi-
cal party, must be blind indeed.
In the hope of getting into office the
democratic party has made an about
face and become very nearly deputy
republican organization The two par
ties are one on the financial question.
They both denounce trusts, without
pointing out any method to suppress
them. They both stand for protection.
only differing slightly as to degree.
They both quote Jefferson and Lincoln
and under the latest organization OF
the democrats they have completely
surrendered to Cleveland and that fac
ton which supported Mckinley against
their regular nominee.
As the republicans seem to win
against reform principles the demo-
Gratis have dropped reform aud are en-
deayoring 10 assimllatc republican
doctrines. without forfelting all rights
OF nomenclature. Yet Bryan, Regan
and Hong will vote the ticket and