Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-19
spondence Of The EVENING star.

LAND THE PRESIDENTIAL fREFERENckS
Special Correspondents of The Evening star
Topeka, kASs. June II, 1891.
Kansas 10 one state Of the Union where the
people never cease talking politics. II you step
into . public Office in Topeka, or walk into
store, politics 10 the one theme of general con-
versation- And If you 60 out into the country
and tackle festive granger the FIRST question
he asks is: 'What is the political outlook"
This state Of things WAS ushered in last year
when the Farmers Alliance became Q danger
Gus factor to the two old parties. At first IL
was not considered dangerous, and the leaders
OF the republican party advised the rank and
file to ''go in and hold il level" The county
and township workers all over the state acted
on this advice, but more than half of them be-
came hypnotized with the doctrines taught and
didn't get out to vote right on election day.
WIN the democrats IL was anything TO beat the
republican party. The republican newspapers
ana stump speakers denounced the alliance
movement as q southern democratic scheme
organized by Col Polk and his co-workers for
the purpose OF disorganizing and destroying
the republican party This argument was
used when it was feared too many repub-
ncans were uniting with the movement and 20
hold them to their old party. II held a few
ana Kept them out of the movement.
but II resulted disastrouslv to the democrats,
who had lsbored for years against an over
wheiming republican majority. They argued
that they were in a hopeless minority and could
not do anything under the banner Of democ-
racy, but that through this peoples movement
they could accomplish their object-the de-
struction Of the republican party-and that
would be glory enough. Then, again, if the
alliance movement headed by Col Polk was
OF democratic origin aud intended TO ultimately
benett the democratic party, il was Just what
they wanted, and the result was that 81. 600
democratic farmers in Kansas deserted their
party last November and supported the peoples
ticket.
CHANGE IN TWO YEARS,
In 1888, when Kansas became the banner re-
publican state of the Union, the total vote
stood: Republicans. 190. 900; democrats, l07 900:
union labor or peoples party, $4,000. Two
years later these figures were changed as fol-
lows: Republicans, $4,000; democrats 81. 900.
and peoples party. 100000. From the best in
formation at hand the two old parties lost about
equally by the formation of the new party.
The situation now is anything but hopeful to
the republicans. Since the memorable cam
paign last year the leaders of the party have
been getting over their scare, while the DEM
ocrafs are worried about the Wholesale deser-
ton in their ranks.
The people party leaders have not ceased
work day since the election last November.
Their lecturers and stumpers continually
In the field talking subtreasury, free coinage Of
silver, denouncing the money kings of Wall
street and damning the republican party in
general. Since the election a special effort has
been made to organize the voters in the towns
and cities into citizens alliances. and while it
Is thought that the movement has lost votes in
the country that loss has been more than made
up in the towns by the recruits in the citizens
alliance. Although the republicans had 1000
majority over the peoples party last fall con-
servative statement places the strength of the
two parties equal at this time.
KNIGHTS OF RECIPROCITY.
About six months ago Jesse Taylor, a repub-
lican land office official at Garden City, organ
lied the Knights of Reciprocity, a republican
secret society, which has had a remarkable
growth. 1t is founded on the principles of
reciprocity as expounded by James G. Blaine
and with the object, it is charged. of making
him the republican candidate for President.
This order has spread throughout this and adj
joining states and is credited with a member
ship of 20. 900 In Kansas and 1000 in Missouri
As an adjunct of this organization in this state
is the knights and Ladies of America with a
membership of 5000. 1t is similar to the
knights of Reciprocity and both orders are
working hand in hand in the interest of repub-
| licanism.
The republicans are becoming aroused. ana
| are putting forth renewed exertions to regain
| their lost strength. There is no campaign in
| Kansas this year except for county Offices and
| desperate effort will be made by both the
| republicans aid people party to gain many
of these officers as Possible. and thus put them
selves in fighting trim for 1892. The leaders of
both parties claim that the result in the various
| counties this fall will be fair test for next
| year, and SO earnestly will these campaigns be
| fought that both state committees will take a
| hand in aiding local committees.
| 1t will be seen that while the democrats are
| ''not in it, they hold the balance of power if
they are inclined to traffic with the two leading
parties. and can get fair share ofs the local
spoils by throwing their votes either way.
Many republicans are anxious to divide with
! the democrats TO keep them from affilisting
with the alliance, because it is feared that such
| q combine this year would be followed bv one
tial electors are at stake.
RUPTED.
Many Of the leading democrats realize that
| the peoples party has virtually disrupted their
organization. Last year the democratic votes
aided them in the election Of five alliance Con-
| gressmen an attorney general and enough al
lance members of the legislature to insure In
| gals defeat. For all of this the democrats got
| nothing but jeers and sneers. In the five con-
| gressional districts represented in Congress by
Jerry Simpson, b. H. Clover, John Davis VIM.
Baker and J. q. Otis the democrats either de-
clined to nominate or Endorsed the alliance
| nominee, and in every district with the possible
| exception of one, they threw enough votes to
|
| tickets in the field and supported them instead
| Of voting for alliance men republican legisla-
| ture would have been chosen and John J. In
| gals would have been returned to the Senate.
These things the democrats do not forget. and
to be told now that the peoples party has no
further use for the democracy causes the lead
ers to utter severe maledictions on the heads of
| their former colaborers in the great work of
| smashing the republican party.
Already the democratic state central COM
mittee has held q meeting and issued circular
to the committeeman In every county in the state,
| urging them to stand pat and make no ''un-
| holy combinations with the enemy" meaning
| the peoples party. Thisannouncement brought
| joy to the hearts of the republicans. and old
| time leaders who three or four years age
would put a clothes pin on their nose when a
| democrat was in sight are now ready to lock
arms with their former enemies and take them
| to their bosoms.
Since the narrow escape Of the republicans
| last year there has been a remarkable change
of sentiment on the question Of prohibition.
| Heretofore the republican party has made it
| the battle cry. and in doing SO has driven away
| about x, 600 voters. The leaders realize that
votes are needed in future. and hereafter will
treat prohibition a settled question and deal
| with vital issues Such decision will unques-
| tlonably revive the St. John idea and a pro-
hibition party will be organized, which may
take off 10, 900 or Is 900 votes that have hereto
fore been cast for the republican ticket.
PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCES.