The independent., 1904-06-30
Geo. l.. Spence.


Editor Independent: There is but
one course to pursue at Spfingneid.
Make a broad guage platform, one for
all parts of our country. | would de-
clare for home rule and, OF course,
a government by and for the people, to
own and control all railroads, steam
ships. telegraphs, coal mines; then
declare against foreign immigration,
government by injunction, against
equality Of the negro, giving each state
to pass on eligibility to vote. Inen
boldly declare for woman suffrage, the
government restriction OF the manu-
facture, importation and sale OF all
liquors and patent medicines; to print
on each bottle the contents OF drugs
and liquors used in same. or course,
boldly declare against private banks
OF issue and control OF money; and
for a paper currency.
Then il such a man as General Mel
son A. Miles would accept the nomi-
nation on our platform, with, say,
Gompers or John Mitchell or Henry
George, jr., as vice president, be-
lieve it would bring the labor organiza-
tions and the prohibitionists to our
party where by rights they belong.
believe in the Coxey good roads
plan, which in the state campaign In
Ohio in 1895, $4,000 people indorsed
by their votes. But Coxey has been
badly treated by his party leaders. |
believe in the Streeter plan OF organl-
cation as the surest, most effective
and lasting If once put in working.
| believe it more important that we
elect few good strong men to con-
gress and carry one or two states than
secure a big vote for president. The
chance was never better in my opin-
ion to throw the election OF president
on congress. While Roosevelt is pop
ular with the people, the trusts, rail-
roads and banks would knife him II
the democrats nominate man they
| can use.
believe that German will get the
democratic nomination. Mr.. Bryan
has the respect and confidence OF the
| great middle class, and he should
come out from the wolves among the
sheep and help build up the party that
will in four more years controi THIS
government; or else we Will nave no
government of and for the people.
At Springfield try to think there are
other states than Texas, Kansas, Ne
braska. Illinois, Missouri, Indiana OF
| Kentucky. While few in numbers
way down east, remember they are the
salt of the earth. 1t is SO easy to be
populist where there are many. an
the only populist in this county o.
fifty thousand | hope J. J. Streetel
and Hon. Wharton Barker will go u
Springfield; they are each true Dlu'
and among the brainiest men we nav
in our party; but they feel like tina
noble hero. that self-sacrilicing patriot
: General J. S. Coxey, that they are no
wanted by the new politicians OF ou
party: and being modest men, as l
: generally the case with men OF iarg
: brains and hearts, they will keep ava
to the disappointment of those VIII
: appreciate their true worth. Havln
Z cast my first vote for Peter Cooper
have prevailed on both Streeter an
Barker to attend the national conven
tion. but they seem to think they ca
: do no good and will not go.
Now, let's be men; serious, earn
| est. determined men. Listen tC rea
son; rise above prejudice; not expeo
: to have everything our own way
: Strike out straight from the shoulder
i with a good, honest. stout heart an
$ a clear strong mind. Make broad
r guage, sensible campaign. III nc
}, Miles. would stick to Barker; he wi
: command the respect of all thinkin
people. Col. Felter, | think, woul
satisfy the majority for chairman
the national committee. Would Ill
to see ex-Congressman Howard II
:. temporary and ex-Congressman To
y Watson for permanent chairman.