The Political Shapeshifting of Colonel Winston

In the sense that a man is who slips and falls upon the ice, a Populist convention is always a collection of unconscious humorists. But there is one thing more amusing than an average convention of natural-born Populists, and that is the presence of a man old enough and bright enough to know better than to be found in such company. The presence of Col. Patrick Henry Winston at the North Yakima Populist convention was exceedingly diverting to those who are personally acquainted with this somewhat notorious political chameleon and harlequin. For four years Col. Winston had been a Republican Federal officeholder, drawing $10,000 for his nominal services as United States district attorney; during the campaign of 1892 Col. Winston was conspicuous for his energetic denunciation and ridicule of the doctrines of the Populist party. As soon as Col. Winston was succeeded by a Democrat he ceased denouncing Populism, and all at once turned Populist himself. The Populists were naturally suspicious of his sincerity. Col. Winston is merely a humorist and a sane man, who is in politics for revenue only; to him political parties are nothing but horses to ride.