The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-08
=, Infamy at Concordia.

of the convention and of Judge Wilson
and his character. 1t is worthy of
close perusal by our readers:
The result of the COncordia Conven-
ton is no surprise TO us. We knew 1t
was now or never with the Doodle
gang. The defeat of John \. Ander-
son was an outrage, and the nOmina-
ton of a. S. Wilson still greater out
rage.
Five counties and their delegates
went to COncOrdia to nominate Con-
gresham to represent the Fifth Dis
trict. They had canyaSsed name
with which the whole people were fam
liar, and which each year had brought
an increased vote and enthusiasm.
The delegates from the other five cOun-
ties went there for 10 other purpose
than to break down valued, pure and
incorruptible servant, and in doing so
have presented to the District name
to which there was never moments
consideration given, who could not
under any circumstances carry his own
county for this responsible position,
and who less than two years ago failed
to carry it for County Attorney.
The COncOrdia Convention met Tues
day forenoon, and organizing, had
seventeen ballots in the afternoon as
follows: Anderson 80, Burton II,
Ballard 8, Culp 9. Wednesday morn
ing Mr.. Nichols, delegate from Cloud
stated that he was under instructions
second choice for Mr.. Anderson. and
voted accordingly. On the eighteenth
ballot Mr.. Wilson, of Cloud, also
changed TO Anderson, making thirty
five. This vote continued until Thurs
day morning. Most Of the time was
spent by the anti-AnderSOn men in
caucus, and by Thursday morning they
had failed to agree, and were i'll hope
less state of DISCRIMINATION. The con-
vention assembled at $50 a. M. The
anti-AndeTsOn delegates voted an adj
jOuTnment without a roll call for Con-
gresham and i'll less than an hour came
back and agreed upon Wilson. The
final vote was Wilson IL, Anderson 35.
\ third delegate from Cloud changed
to Anderson, while an Ottawa dele
gate changed to Wilson. What hap
pened to harmonic them SO suddenly
will always be one of the unsOlved
problems of Kansas politics.
The Republicans of the Fifth Dis
trict have been betrayed and swindled,
and it remains to be seen how they
will submit. This disgraceful nomina-
tiOn and the infamous manner by
which their will was thwarted. will
arouse an indignation hard to overcome.
Five counties with 80 votes, the con-
spiratOrS dared not touch. In Dickin-
son county the popular vote at the pri-
maries was for Anderson, but by tricks
''hOme" man secured the County
Convention by a vote of thirty-nine to
thirty-Seven. In Cloud county, which
was really the battle ground, the popu-
lar vote was for Anderson by three
hundred majority, and the Convention
was for him by thirty-four to thirty-two.
This Convention instructed for Ander-
son second choice, but six of their del
egateS violated their instructions, one
OF them being a white livered Judas
1ScariOt named Thomas Wrong. In
Washington county the delegates were
given to ID. <. Ballard, without a fight.
rs some sort Of salve to heal the
breaches among their local politicians.
Ia Republic there was no contest. In
Saline county the machine allowed of
10 contest for Anderson.
1t will thus be seen that the Republi-
cans of the District had no hand i'm this
nomination, but were baSely BETRAYED.
We have known Judge Wilson for
fifteen years, lie is simply a drunken
dutter, without any particular intel
lectual force or capacity, and whose
career is only marked by ponderous
DRINKS on public occasions. lie served
as Judge of his District for fourteen
years, and when he voluntarily retired
he bOlted the republican nominee to
succeed MIN. In 1854 he was a candi
date before the Republican County Con
ventiOn of Washington County for
County attorney, was beaten, ran indie
pendent and overwhelmingly defeated.
lie supported Geo. w. Click for Cover
ernOr, and at ratification meeting made
violent speech denOuncing the Repub-
llcan party. The success of a man with
such a political record under ordinary
circumstances might be regarded as a
vlndlcatlOn of our course, but we have
more. serious interest at stake than pet
ty qualification. The indignation down
the valley. as we came homeward
through the counties of Cloud. Wash
ingtOn and Clay, was universal and
bitter.
The Fifth District of Kansas under
Anderson had become one of national |
Anderson is a bold and
able leader. who has taken decided |
anti-monopoly stand, and the people of
the whole country have watched the
District with the utmost interest. The
Convention at COncordia decided that
his position on the aggreSSiOns of corpor-
ite power, railroad land and other
SwindleS, cannot be maintain
ed within the Republican party. Is it
true?
With the advanced temperance senti-
ment of Kansas, to say nothing of the
organized demand for prohibition. dare
we go back to the gutter of twenty-five
years ago for standard bearer
Have we reached point in Kansas
where character is of no consequence ?
Dare we substitute in the public SER
ice a drunken debauchee for pure
md glorious life?
1Will it pay to diSplace man who
las made his mark in every position of
lie by one whose life has been blank
or any good or practical purpose 4?
We have displaced business men.
With occupations and interests, and put
n the saddle a political freebooter.
without occupation or interest.
The convention placed in the hands
f the Third party men powerful club
gainst the Republican party. and have