Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-27
KANSAS POLITICAL GOSSIP.

KANSAS POLITICAL GOSSIP.
Dangers Menacinx the Democrats
Recent Charges by Mrs. Lease.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
TOPEKA. Kan, Dec. %, 1898.
The democrats Of Kansas are confronted
with two dangers and it will require the
wisest councils and the most deliberate
judgment of the leaders to steer through
next years campaign, maintain and
strengthen their party organization, and at
the same time prevent the return of eight
republicans to Congress. If they decline to
consider propositions to combine with popu-
lists and run straight tickets, and poll for
them the full party vote, the republicans
will elect a Congressman-at-large and one
in each of the seven districts. which would
be gain for the republicans Of five in this
state. An analysis of the vote polled at the
recent local elections shows sufficient re-
publican strength to do this.
On the other hand, If the democrats agree
to combinations on state and congressional
tickets. which would give them. say one
half Of the congressional candidates there
would still be a doubt about their ability to
elect all such tickets. II would disorganize
the democratic party and at the same time
| attempt at further fusion.
The democrats in Kansas, who last year
consented to an Endorsement of the popu-
list electoral and state tickets. did so upon
the urgent request and advice Of national
democratic leaders. Senators German and
Hill were anxious for fusion, and urged
it. Ex-Secretary Whitney, Dan Lamont and
other close friends of President Cleveland
met number Of leading Kansas democrats
In Washington. and urged them. to come
home and work for a combination of all
| the forces opposed to the republicans.
John A. Eaton of Winfield in talk about
| the Washington meeting said: 1.-The demo-
| Gratis Of Kansas went into that combina-
ton at the earnest request Of German.
Brice, Whitney. Lamont and others. was
present and listened to their appeals. They
said they represented President Cleveland
brought about in Kansas, Nebraska, Col
orado and other states where the populists
were strong. l was opposed to the plan, be-
cause l knew 1t would demoralize our party.
But came home with others and COM
menced to work up the combination. Senator
Martin was the strongest worker for the
| very thing the President, through his trust
ed advisers, desired. The plan as outlined
at washington went through, and no sooner
was the election over and President Cleve-
land inaugurated than, he commenced to
punish the fusion democrats for carrying
out his wishes. 1t seems to me ingratitude
strengthen the democracy"
Senator Martin has received many very
hard slaps from the administration and is
very likely to drift into the populist ranks
before another six months elapses. He is
| not In harmony with his party in Kansas
and cannot hope for a reelection, except
from the populists. and there Is no certainty
about them CARRYING sufficient number
OF the legislative districts next year to elect
the Senator. They have twenty-five Sena-
tors who hold over and must secure sixty
one OF the legislative districts. Based on
the populist vote polled at the recent cleo
ton they would elect thirty-five members.
Mrs. Leases Charges Against Popuiist.
Mrs. Mary +. Lease came to Topeka sew
| eral days ago and reiterated her charge
| against the members of the populist state
| administration In which she said they were
boodlers and thieves. She still retains her
| position as chairman of the state board of
| Charities. and defies the governor to remove
her. Mrs. Lease Is decidedly opposed to
further fusion with the democrats in Kan
| sas. but If reports are true she did not en-
tertain similar views a little over a year
| ago when, in company with Gen. Weaver,
they made tour through Alabama in the
interest Of fusion between the Kolbites
ana the republicans. As the story goes,
| Mrs. Lease and Gen. Weaver met Chris.
Magee OF Pittsburg in Alabama, and there
| fixed up a bigger fusion deal than was
ever thought OF in Kansas Magee had
| been sent down to Alabama to arrange, II
possible. with the populists who were sup
porting kolb for governor q fusion between
them and the republicans on an electoral
ticket While there he met Gen. Weaver
and Mrs. Lease. and had several interviews.
About this time Mrs. Lease wrote the ia
nous interview which appeared simulta-
neously in the New York World and Chi
cago Inter Ocean, denouncing the people
of the south. paying special attention to
| the democratic party. Her interview was
| INTENDED to stir up the old sectional feeling
| between the north and south. and drive ex-
| Union soldiers back to the republican party.
| Mrs. Lease arrived home a few days be-
| fore election, and was invited to make a
| speech in Topeka. 1t was democratic
! meeting, and before she had talked half an
| hour Chairman w. c. Jones Of the state
| central committee, who was chairman OF
| the meeting, asked her to desist. She had
| commenced a TRADE against the democrats
of Georgia. charging them with rotten-egg-
ing the Weaver party. Mrs. Lease left the
| hall with hre in her eye. The next day she
| told her friends that Grover Cleveland
would never be President If Gen. Weaver
| secured enough electoral votes to prevent
| the democrats from having a majority. She
did not hesitate to say that they would be
thrown to Harrison II Weaver could not be
elected. and that. she said. they did not
| consider possible.
Leaders Of the populist party in Kansas
/ are aware Of these things, but they know
that Mrs. Lease is very strong with the file
/ OF the party, ana IL she desired, could lead
a bolt that would land 10000 votes in the
| republican camp. They need her in their
business. and she is privileged to say what
| she pleases about them.
| In her recent criticism of the state admin
istration not one of the leaders criticised
| her. They explained 1t away by saying
| Mrs. Lease is not feeling well, and proba-
| bly, said something she will retract later"
| But she did not retract and will not. She
| will continue to draw her 500 per month
| from the state, and declares that no man
or set of men can put a paddock ON her
| mouth.