The Portland daily press., 1893-02-24
KANSAS CITIZENS ALARMED.
Anarchism Thought to be the Object of
The Populists.
New York Times.]

New York Times.]
| Fears are entertained that the troubles
| in Kansas have but just commenced. A
Populist member of the legislature this
morning said: "When we succeed in re-
| organizing the militia we will show the
people Of Kansas that we are in earnest
in all we have attempted They may
think the end has come; you have not
yet seen the beginning"
| In this connection the statements made
| by George A. Martin of Kansas City are
pertinent Mr.. Martin is one Of the men
who came to Kansas while the State was
vet Territory, and aided in the strng-
giles that made the name of sJayhawker''
known throughout the Union. He has
been close observer, and, being man
of widespread acquaintance, keeps we'll
in touch with what is going on. In
speaking to group of men, Mr.. Martin
said:
lis Kansas to be the scene of the open
| ing conflict of another civil war, which
shall involve the destinies Of the nation,
and was the strife at Topeka the result
of matured anarchist plans that have for
some time been waiting an opportunity
to be carried into execution? This is a
startling phase of the present disturb
ance that may not be readily appreciated
as being possible at this time, but
strange premonitions of late, and infor-
nation communicated to me only few
| days ago by one who has been in posi-
ton to learn many queer things, indi-
Gates that there is really an alarming
state of affairs in Kansas, aside from the
opening riot and happily-averted blood
shed that have attracted the attention of
the nation.
IF what we strongly indicated is true,
then the friends of law, order and gov
eminent had better be up and doing, and
it is high time for the federal govern
ment to take steps to check in its incipi-
ency what may prove to be a movement
that will abrogate constitutional law and
jeopardize the rights of property. If
there be any truth in the words uttered
this morning by man who has affiliated
with the chief conspirators, there is no
doubt that treason against the United
States exists in Kansas. The struggle
just ended is the development of plans
formulated two years ago by little
party of conspirators in a private room
in this city. In that group Sam Wood
was conspicuous figure; the others
were men who are today leaders in the
background in the attempt now being
made against constitutional rights, and
who have been the advisers of Gov. Lew
. cling during the recent disgraceful
struggle.
'sThe work has been going on quietly
since then, until the breaking out of the
war just ended, and is still going on.
Those who are opposing themselves to
law and precedent were, many of them,
led blindly into the power Of an oath
bound organization that had for its sole
, object the overthrow of the government
and are now SO completely in its power
that there is no receding from carrying
out plans from which conscience revolts.
Ten thousand Anarchists in Chicago and
many more in New York are watching
, the scenes in Kansas, and the society
emissaries have been working industri-
ously in the ranks. These, in effect,
were the statements made by my inform
ant who named several men of my own
city who had taken the obligations of the
secret order, himself being among them.
When he found out what his associa-
tions would be he withdrew in disgust,
and since then he has received several
anonymous threats admonishing him not
to talk too much. am not an alarmist,
but I consider the situation serious
Il Senator Helm, Populist, said last night
that the Governor had surrounded him
self with men of narrow minds, whose
advice had been dangerous and whose in
fluence was likely to result in disaster.
He was not satisfied, because the better
J men of his party had been crowded to
the rear, and the places that should be
filled by them had been occupied by men
manning them who were dangerous to
society.
One of the leaders who has secured a
, place on the Advisory Board of the
Governor is lawyer named Clemins,
who annually takes part in the anniver
sary exercises in Chicago commemorat-
ing the death of Parsons and his crowd.
He is one of the violent speakers and has
advocated the abrogation of all law.
Another of the Advisory Board is an
Ottawa citizen who attended the funeral
of the executed Anarchists and made a
, highly inflammatory speech on that oc-
casion, as he hiss many times done since
at his own home. Still another is Judge
Doster, who gave to the people that SEN
tence: ''The rights Of the user are para
mount to those of the owner.
While Mr.. Martin may be wrong in his
conclusions, there are many who share
his belief, and acting upon their judg,
ment they are placing in the market all
the property they own in this State, and
will change their residences as soon as
, possible. That this secret society eX-
lists was proved only last week, when re-
porters endeavored to attend the regular
sessions of the Pcpulist House, which
was holding it's meetings in the Stor-
mont Building, on Sixth Street. They
were met at the door by a doorkeeper,
who informed them that they could not
! enter. Waiting to see how this thing
> worked. they were soon rewarded by