Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-15
PoPULIST PARTY'S END.
Leading Kansan Says Its Work is Done
and He'll Join Republicans.

From the Topeka State Journal
ut is useless to continue the populist
state organization said Major A. M. Har-
yey, formerly lieutenant governor in the
old populist days. The peoples party has
run its course. 1t has done quite as much
as it's leaders have ever hoped and it would
be the climax of folly to continue the farce
Of meeting in state convention and nom:-
mating a state ticket next year"
This statement coming from the man
who has beer quite as prominent in fusion
circles as any one in the state and who
has presided over more state populist and
fusion conventions than any man in Kan
sas, is significant 1t probably means that
the old alignment will again be in effect in
Kansas next year.
Major Harvey does not stop at this. He
says: THE republicans have adopted much
Of our doctrine. Everywhere we see prom
inent republicans advocating more stringent
control of the railroads by the, state and
more equitable freight rates. and the last
republican legislature adopted a law which
is designed tC prevent discrimination by the
railroads besides for the first time giving
the people tribunal before which they
may bring their complaints. On the rail-
road question the republicans have prac-
tically come around to our way of think
ing. and we ought to be satisfied.
Then the republicans have taken de-
cided stand, both in state and national af-
81
capital known as trusts The Kansas re-
publican legislature even went so far as to
provide for state oil refinery to punish
the Standard Oil trust for its treatment or
the people of Kansas as well as law to
regulate the transportation charges. What
more could an old-time populist Ike my
self ask?
president Roosevelt has taken a stand
for reform in favor of the people and
against class legislation and distinctions.
which is exactly in line with the doctrine
for which Kansas popuiists have commended.
His activity against combinations of capt.
tai and his disposition to recognize the
rights of the people at large would make
1t seem exceedingly strange If he did not
receive the support of every old-time pop
ulist.
pudiation or confiscation. as its enemies
have often tried to make it appear. We
have never contended for anything but
equal rights for all the people. We have
stood for square deal from the first and
for nothing more. We advocated reforms.
and I for one am entirely satisfied with the
course of events, and that the things for
which we have contended will or have come
to pass
''Recognzing all this as l do l do not
see the necessity for continuing the popu-
list organization. 1t has done its work; its
course has been run and I am perfectly
content to permit it to be merely a pleasant
memory"
Major Harvey then passed on to DIS
cussion of the future affiliations of himself
and other populists. THAT is a question:
said he. that every individual must decide
for himself. AS for myself | shall go TO
the party which most nearly represents my
ideas on public questions. and as may be
guessed from what l have said that party
is not the democratic
Il have no harsh words for the demo-
cratic party. That organization has done
heroic reform work in Kansas. but If it has
fallen behind the procession and has failed
to grasp the situation with as much alac
rity as some of its members have hoped.
the rank and file are not be blamed"
Major Harvey is reluctant to discuss any
thing that might in any way reflect upon
his old party associates He simply says
that the questions that called the pop
ulist party into existence have in the main
been settled and the individual members
should take whatever course their con-
science dictates Then he added:
'As for myself. as long as President
Roosevelt or a man of his integrity and dis
position is at the head OF the government
as long as the Kansas republicans advocate
the reforms for which l have contended-
I shall vote for and class myself a men,
Der of the republican party. 1 might add
that I have no political ambition-do not
expect to again be a candidate for Office.
but will be perfectly satisfied to serve in
the ranks as private