, 1891-11-03

the state university are to be elected. But
because it is to determine whether or not
the Farmers Alliance or Independent
party, Is to gain political supremacy. In
one respect it presents a situation without
a parallel in the past thirty or forty years
the Democratic party is without candi-
dates.
This Is all the more remarkable when it
is remembered that but one year ago their
candidate. Boyd, was elected governor
and was only deprived OF that high Office
on the grounds of decentralization. The
present Generalization OF the Democratic
party is due to the refusal of their nominee
for supreme judge to make the race,
whereupon their candidates for regents
were likewise withdrawn and the field left
to the Republicans, Independents and
Prohibitionists. The Republicans nomi-
mated A. M. Post for supreme Judge,
Charles Marph and III. P. Shumway for
regents. The Independents nominated
j. w. Edgerton for supreme Judge, A.
d. Allen and E. A. Hadley for regents.
The Prohibitionists nominated Mrs. Ada
Bittenbender for supreme judge and Rev.
VIM. Gorst aud Ms. Caroline NJ. Wood
ward for regents. All parties admit the
contest between the farmers or Independ-
ent party will be very close, the Prohibit
ton vote naturally being light.
In no other state in the Union has the
campaign been 30 entirely and exclusively
devoted to financial questions. Even the
tariff has been almost lost sight of in the
sharp controversy which was waged be-
tween the Republicans and Independents
upon the silver question. In their state
conventions the Republicans endorsed
protection and the Independents de-
nounced it; the Republicans endorsed the
Republican silver coinage act but de-
nounced Unlimited silver coinage; the In
dependents demanded the issue of legal
tender notes by the government in suffi-
cient volume to transact the business OF
the country in lieu of the present national
bank notes; loans to the people and the
unlimited coinage of silver.
There is no reason to believe the indie
pendents or Alliance party has declined
much in membership IN the past wear,
and, with the Democrats out of the field,
they ought to carry the state. if there is
anything in the confident declarations of
their leaders. After all, the result largely
depends upon how the Democrats will
vote, and while the Independents are
loudly claiming their support. the Re-
publicans are Just as emphatically pro-
claiming that the Democrats are disguised
with the visionary sub-treasury scheme
and will generally vote with the Re-
publicans to checkmate that craze.
Democratic Hopes in Bleeding Kansas
TOPEKA, Nov. 1.-The election In
Kansas is not fraught with the general
interest that politics in the mercurial state
usually inspires. Not only is it an of
year in elections, but an election at which
not even Is there to be chosen a single
state officer. Yet it must not be under
stood that it is without interest within the
state. 1t has been one of the most holly
contested ''off year" campaigns ever wit
messed in Kansas. Both of the leading
parties are making a determined effort to
break the strength and stunt the growth
of the Farmers Alliance or Peoples
party. Particularly is this true OF the
Republican party, but in some localities
the Democrats, as a minority party, have
thought it expedient to effect fusions
with the farmers party. With the ex-
ception of nine district Judges, the cam
paign is purely local and confined to the
election OF county officers, but both state
central committees have been daily send
ing out a score of speakers into every
nook and corner of the state.
The Republicans feel 1t a question Of
supreme importance that they should carry
many of the county elections. and thus
say to the East and nation. the state of
Kansas Is once more safely in the Re-
publican ranks. The Democrats naturally
are not particularly anxious to aid the
Republicans in the consummation Of their
wishes in this respect, and probably for
this reason the Democratic state central
committee at their recent meeting rave a
quasi-endorsement to the various local
fusions with the Peoples party. This
action OF the committee. however. has
been repudiated by many of the leading
Democrats and several of the most promi-
nent party organs. Particular interest in
this election. therefore. is in the strength
that will be developed by the Peoples
party-the party that swept the state a
year age and that hopes to deliver the
vote OF the state for the third party for
the presidential candidate in the electoral
college next year.