The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-04-30
The Convention.


national conventions. and have seen
much of their workings; bu, it remain
ed for Kansas convention 10 reveal
some entirely new and o. iginal features.
We propose TO give a brief history Of
the doings of the late Topeka conven-
ton, and shall state facts only. In
order 10 do this, it is necessary for q
correct understanding of the matter, TO
make few
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
Some ! / or 12 seats were contested.
A caucus Of the party having a major
ity OF uncontested seats WAS held on
Wednesday night to arrange matters.
Finding that by high-handei course
they could run the convention TO sui.
themselves. the entire work of the NOR
row, down TO the smallest items. was
done in the caucus-eyery thing agreed
upon there was be be rushed through
the contention. and every proposition
not agreed upon and put down in The
programme. no difference hcw just and
proper, was to be voted down. Hence,
the work of the convention was all done
in this caucus. TO The minutes, point.
and the convention itself was the merest
farce.
Alter Gov. Carney's resignation was
circulated next morning. the managers
became alarmed lest a number of their
men, who were elected both anti Lane
and anti-fraad. should become weak in
the knees and obey their instructions
to vote against Lane. To prevent such
consummatlon. another caucus was
called on Thursday morning. and the
faithful were collected together in hall,
with the doubtful ones, and kept under
guard, for fear they shoald talk with
some of the opposition and have their
eyes opened. Here in the hall they
we're kept as so many prisoners. and
entertained by speeches. until twelve
O'Clock, the time set for the meeting OF
the convention. when they were march
ed down, two and two,to Representative
Hall. as SO many slaves. The thing
was ludicrous
During the forenoon one of the pris.
oners came out TO "streich" himself,
when he was ordered back by fugle-
man leader, and told that it would no,
do to let any one leave the hall. Such
was the drill OF the slaves who were to
do the bidding of the officeholders, who
we're running the machine"
THE CONVENTION
met at l2 O'Clock and was temporarily
organized BY calling j. w Scott. of
Allen county.to the chair, and appoir.
ms air. Nurdock. Of Usage, secretary.
According TO the caucus programme, a
committee of 6re on credentials and
one Of like number on perm amen. or
gan'sa'ion. we're appointed by the chair
- the former was composed of four
caucus members and one not of the
caucus; ii was feared to give even a
shoac oi fairness on this committee as
e'erytA'"g depended upon giving the
Lane Contestants their seats. regardless
of right and justice. The other COM
miiiee was three 10 two. Having per-
pe'ra'ed. this outrage. the, enlion
adjourned TO two o'clock, and The faith
fol. still under surveillance, marched
to The Chase House.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
During the afternoon the convention
waited for the repor, of the committee
on credentials from two until arter
SIX O'Clock. The anli-caucus mem.
bers tried to get an adjournment for one
hour on sIeral occasions. and for less
period OF time. but every motion vas
voted down = the caucus members
would not even consent to recess of
eve "'saxtes! They had their men un-
der dlill-under the thumbs Of the
manageIs-and intended 10 keep them
safe.
The committee at length reported,
and in the face of evidence which no
honest man could set aside, showing that
tie sn'i caucus delegates in nine cases
wers entitled to their seats. they report
cd fa,orably TO every caucus member.
To test the matter the minority asked
TO be heard in the case Of Col. Jennison
~ Mckee. and We give The facts 10 the
case
Col. Jennison was elected ia regular
order. under State. County and Ward
calls. receiving I46 votes. Mckee 10.
majority 1877. These facts and the evil