The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-03-10
y HE KANSAS SENATOR.

THE KANSAS SENATOR
Conditions which Led to the Election
of = Fusion Democrat
Probably every reader is already
aware Of the results Of the recent
senatorial election in Kansas. The
circumstan ces that led to that result
may not be rs well known, especially
outside of the state; and it is proper
that we should fairly recite those
circumstances ere we express an
opinion OF the wisdom of. the course
of our legislature.
It is we'll known by every one that
the editor Of the Topeka Advocate and
Tribune has been an incorporating
Popnlist since the organization of the
party. He has never favored fusion
in any form. This hasevidently been
the policy Of the majority Of the party
in the state. 1t is the policy that
prevailed in the Wichita convention.
Notwithstanding all the overtures
from Democratic leaders, that con-
vention nominated Peoples par ty
ticket from top to bottom, and en-
tered the contest with the expecta-
ton OF meeting the opposition of both
the Republican and the Democratic
parties There was no compromise
proposition for a moment entertained
either by our convention or by any
one clothed with any authority to
represent our party. This was the
condition of affairs up to the assem-
bling of the Democratic convention
in this city. When that convention
assembled, probably two-thirds Of the
delegates We're in favor of straight
Democratic state ticket, and such a
ticket would without doubt have been
placed in the field had it not been for
the influence of John Martin. His
speech on that occasion turned the
tide, and an endorsement Of the en-
tire Peoples party ticket was the re-
suit. In that speech he declared
himself in favor of many of our
principles and demands. He took tn e
stump, and, with other Democratic
speakers, worked for the success of
what Democrats were pleased to term
the fusion ticket. Whether the Peo-
pies party would have succeeded in
the state with three tickets in the
field is question which can never
be absolutely determined. Opinions
differ upon the subject, but all opinions
are mere speculations. On the one
hand, it is held that the vote of the
..straight-Outs, added largely to the
Republican column, and that the Peo-
pies party lost enough OF its own
voters of Republican antecedents to
more than compensate for the Demo-
cratic support received. On the other
hand, it is held that we owe our sue
cess to the combination of the oppo-
sition to the Republican party.
Whichever view may be correct, all
that may be said upon the subject
upon either side is, as before re-
marked, mere speculation, and the
discussion of it profitless The fact
remains that the two parties worked
together in the campaign and sue
ceeded. Because Of the influence of
John Martin in turning the tide of
the Democratic convention. and be-
cause of his subsequent work in be-
half of the Peoples party, ticket, and
his endorsement of many of the prin-
ciples of the Peoples party platform,
he has been regarded with much
favor by the Peoples party men in all
parts of the state. Add to this
that he is a man of many sterling
qualities, of pre-eminent ability. and
of unquestioned integrity, and we
have the arguments from a person al
standpoint that presented themselves
to the legislature.
There is still another view which
it is but fair to present, and that is
the very unusual circumstances under
which the senatorial election took
place. 1t is unnecessary to recite
any details relative to this phase of
the question. The facts are well
known, and the arguments pro and
con in behalf Of the claims of the
parties to the dual organization Of
the house have already been given to
the public. 1t is claimed by those
who have led in the contest for Sena-
tor Martins election that it afforded
the only practical solution of the diff
fcultiess of the situation. This may
be true and it may not. Opinions
upon the subject at this time are
speculative at best. The future alone
can determine the wisdom Of the
choice While we have a high appre-
citation of the sterling qualities and
personal character of the new SEN
ator, in our Judgment the leg
islature has made very serious
mistake. 1t is not our purpose to in
dulge in any harsh criticism now. be-
cause it will do no good. The cleo
tion is accomplished, and the action
cannot be recalled. We earnestly
hope that Senator Martins course
may be such as to show our Judgment
at fault. We speak now from present
Impressions. The future will de-
termine whether those impressions
are correct Or not. We can only
speculate as to the effect Of this cleo
ton upon the party both in and out of
thekstate. If Senator Martins course
shall be such as to demonstrate the
wisdom of the choice. the effect will
be good. Should it be otherwise, upon
the members of the legislature will
rest the responsibility, and the praise
or blame which shall attach to their
action will appear from the record
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