The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-10-22
POLITICS RED HOT.
Democrat Fails TO Make Bluff Stick and
Gracefully Takes Water.

Politics was red hot on the streets yes
terday, particularly around the Monarch
billiard room, where all the politicians
| congregate. The Alliance man was there
with his jaws as active as ever in the dis
cussion of the financial question. The
Democrats were also present with their
little bluffs about Ike Ault and Judge
Barrett, but they were hushed up pretty
quick when Republican money was flashed
up to say that both Barrett and Aulu
would beat their Democratic opponents
by from 250 to 500 votes. 1t is very
interesting to see a Democrat make
bluff. but it is more interesting still to
sea him take water. There is a legend to
the effect that no good Democrat will take
water in Wichita, and particularly around
that part of the city where other beverages
can be had, but they are taking water now
and lots of it and Republicans are making
'em do it, too. One welI-known Demo-
cratic boss was very conspicuous yester-
day afternoon in that part of town. He
was bantering Republicans for bet that
Ault would be defeated. knowing that
those whom he was bantering could not
afford to bet. Finally a Republican who
had nice little roll came up and quietly
stood on the edge of the crowd until Mr.
Democrat renewed his bluff. 'Pll
take that" said the Republican, un-
winding roll that made the eyes
of the Democrat bulge out with astonish-
ment, "and I'll double it if you wish, as
you seem so very anxious to speculate"
The Democrat weakened and said that
he would see him later, but before be had
time to edge his way out of the crowd the
Republican offered to bet him ten to five
that Ault would be the next sheriff of
Sedgwick county. He still insisted that
he didn't care to bet then, but would see
the Republican later. In the way of
parting shot the Republican offered to bet
ten to five that Ault would receive 200
more votes than any othor candidate for
sheriff, but the Democrat didn't take it
for he was gone and nothing has been seen
of him around that part of town since.
Betting is not as lively as
it was two weeks ago. Then
the three principal candidates
were nearer even in the race. but now it
is different. Ault is way ahead of his op-
ponents and the betting fellows on the
other side know this too well to put up
their money.
Chairman Morris of the Republican
central committee is in the best of humor
over the prospects and he is now confident
with the changed feeling existing in favor
of the Republicans that the entire ticket
will be elected by handsome pluralities.
Other shrewd Republicans share this view
with him and it is doubtful whether there
is a man on the ticket who would give $40
today to insure his election. 1t is now and
has been for the past few days conceded by
the intelligent and observant politicians of
all three parties that the Republican
ticket is practically elected. This aspect
of things has given a fresh impetus to the
old love that has been existing between
the Alliance and Democratic parties and
all that prevents fusion between them,
it is said by men who know, is that the
leaders are not able to get the rank and
file to agree to it. Indeed, it is broadly
asserted that the Democrats have offered
the Alliance everything else, if they will
agree to support the Democratic candi-
dates for sheriff and register. Whether
this arrangement will or will not be made
IS hard to say, but there is one thing GER
tain, and that is the Democrats and ALI
ance leaders are thicker today and hold
more secret caucuses than they have been
since the memorable day that the Alliance
put up straight ticket.