The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1910-09-29
PAGE FOURTEEN

which you did not publish, that do not approve
of every feature of the Adrich bill, but that
tain schedules should be revised. In the second
place, will say that the poor man purchase
more blankets with the products of his labor,
with his cotton corn, hogs, cattle sheep chickens,
butter, eggs wheat, oats, etc., than he could do
under the Wilson bill He could not buy blankets
then; he can now. The wooden schedule, how
ever will doubtless be revised. Wool was free
under the Wilson bill. How about the poor mans
blanket? Was it free of duty also?
In justice to myself 1 want to say something
further, and I trust you will give it space in your
paper as I think it but fair that your readers in
my district should know these facts.
Is it not true that the Omaha platform was the
first platform ever adopted by the Peoples Party
and that said platform condemned the two old
parties for fighting sham battle over the tariff?
Is it not further fact that the 1896 platform
on which you for vice president made no
mention of the tariff? What was the tariff plank
contained in the platform which you made your
first race for president? Is it not true that the
tariff was test of loyalty to the principles
of the Populist party?
Is it not true that even you not in
accord with very many leaders of the Democratic
party the tariff? Do you agree, for instance,
with Champ Clark when he says: 81 am free
trader and if l had my way would tear down
the custom houses from turret to foundation
stone,'' do you agree with Hon. Robert L.
Henry of Texas who recently said in speech
in congress- "Absolute free trade is impractic-
able with us, and only doctrnaires contend for
such system?" Are you opposing Mr.. Henry
for reelection?
I want to say further, that at the St. Louis
Convention which nominated you for vice presi-
dent | was the only member of congress who
opposed fusion with the Democratic party. At
that time we had number of congressman and
several senators. They all in favor of sur
rendering to Democracy. l fought them single
handed and alone After was defeated took
up the fight for a minority report of the COM
mittee, placing the nomination of vice president
before that of president. I made speech to the
convention and won and and then at the request
of the Georgia delegation placed you in nomina-
ton for vice president. I believed then and now
do that if you had been there to have aided me
with your splendid ability and your great in
fuence the Populist party would not have been
absorbed by the Democratic party. I was then
a candidate for reelection. home and
engaged in joint discussions with my Democratic
opponent throughout my district. He said that
my party had been swallowed up by the Demo
cratic party His prophecy at least came true.
The Democratic party swallowed the Greenback
party and followed suit into the capacious
of Democracy. We had three-cornered
fight and the Republican and Democratic candi-
dates neck and neck and came in by about
six hundred plurality. But I supported you, Mr..
Watson, Notwithstanding your free trade views.
I supported you again when you ran for presi-
the tariff and for these great principles I have
fought in season and out of season. Many of
these issues have not yet been settled.
My present opponent for congress antagonized
practically everything that you and I stood for
and I that he does not agree with you
your tariff views.
I not going to fall out with you for op-
posing me. You were my ideal too long, and
love you too we'll for that. If I can win over the
Democratic leaders of Alabama, backed up by
your influence, my victory will be all the greater
l have served any special interest, but
stand for my people and I cheerfully submit my
case to them. Your friend,
M w. HOWARD
a. It was not admitted by me that had
criticised Mr.. Howard for his vote in favor
of the Infamous Dingley Bill. simply stated
that / did not remember having done so. AS