The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1894-02-02
TO THE PEOPLE.
Chairman Credentials Address to
the Peoples Party.
The Issues of the Day Plainly Stated-Let
Rcformers Be On the Alert and
Prepare for the Coming
Contest.

Prepare for the Coming
Contest.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 29.-John w.
Breidenthal, chairman of the state
central committee of the peoples
party of Kansas, to-day issued the first
formal address of the campaign of 1894
to the people of the state. 1t is the
ioir' work OF Breidenthal and Assist
ant Secreteay of State Zercher, with
suggestions by the members of the
committee to whose Judgment the
original draft was submitted They
began its preparation two weeks ago
and believe they have covered every
ground upon which the populists will
make their fight this year 1t is as fol-
lows:
To the People Of Kansas
AS representatives OF the peoples party Of
this state we deem it proper at this time to ad.
dress you with a brief review OF the political
situation from a 'populist" standpoint and in
this manner CAL attention to the position our
party has occupied in the past, its present atti-
tude and its future prospects, aims and inten-
tions.
Since the party we have the honor to repre-
sent promulgated it's platform OF principles
many events have transpred ip our state and
nation which, In our luigment warrant an ex-
preston from the committee to the end that
the people may know the true position occupied
by our party and may be able to Judge it cor
rcctly. and while this committee realizes that
IL Is acting without instructions from the mem
berShip OF the plrty, 1t feels competent to give
n fair expression of the views entertained and
the principles advocated and supported by the
party and believes that the time Is opportune
forsuch an expression. With this apology for
addressing the public at this time we would
call attention to the political events of the past
two years and the present political situation
and ask all fair minded people to answer the
ques tion, which Of the three prominent political
parties OF to-day has made true predictions as
TO the effect OF the success OF either and the
probable result of q continuation OF certain
policies.
CHARGES OF THE LAST CAMPAIGN
The peoples party entere I the campaign of
1s9! upon declaration of principles which In
strong terms outlined the condition o. our
country and demanded legislation that in it's
Judgment, would remedy the evils that afflicted
MS Kansas was made the ground upon which
the new party was to fight its most effective
battle, and by reason II this fact it was as
sailed on every hand, its leaders and represent
atives wers denounced as thieves. demagogues,
rascals and anarchists, its per rlral of the de-
plorable condition of the people declared to be
tissue OF falschoods its lrcdi :tions as 10 fu-
ture results OF Il continuation OF the then xist.
ing financial policy and It's proposed remedies
theorists, malcontents and polit'cu u imbeciles.
The Tarty was char red with beirg composed Of
banlrupts and repudiators, and it was claimed
cap tai and capitalist is were leaving the state
as n result of the existence Of our party Voters
were appealed to and urg d not to bring dis
'aster upon the state by placing this party in
power
No argument was presented to meet the
claims Il the new party, but the opposition en-
trenched in state and federal positions, forti-
n hp larf1 1ro
daily papers that circulated in state and
supported by the corporate MS, feeling secure
In Its position, reSorted to vilihcation, misrep
resentation and abuse insteat Of argument
Daily reports Of alleged desertions from our
ranks were circulated through their papers,
the immense audiences which greeted our
speakers everywhere were reported as dismal
failures, while much smaller etings OF their
party were reported mighty thronys {"
Here and there an individual was found who
could be persuaded, bulldozed or bouyht into
deserving the party, and each case of thi, char
acter was heralded to the world as evidence
that the peoples party was 'f ling to pieces
and desertion5 by scores, by hundreds and by
thousands were reported for each such case,
and fna ly every absent voter who would re-
turn TO the state and vote the republican ticket
was furnished free trans por tation for the
round trip Many men who had removed from
the state with their families years ago returned
on free passes and vot d the republican ticket
In this manner no less thsn l5,0J0 votes were
added to the opposition, large portion of
which were fraudulent and illegal Loan
agents also con tributed their share by refusing
TO renew farm loans for populists without first
cxtorting from them pledge of their support
for the republican ticket Bat notwiths: and.
ing this terrific opposition, the new party was
successful and the party that had held undis-
puted sway for over thirty years was dethroned
and the epitaph should then have been written
weighed in the balances and fou wanting"
ABOUT The LEGISLATIVE WAR"
But there was yet q chance to turn defeat
into partial victory 1t was discovered that
the legisla ature (the lower houSe) would b, very
close and there was yet, a rhy OF hope. Dis
carded ov the people who once were proud Of
the privilege OF voting their ticket and being
counted az one OF the SOD majority. repudi.
ated at the ballot box in the state ami nation,
yet goaded TO desperation by the loss of the
r ~"loaves and fishes" this once grand party
coolly and deliberately determined to accom-
plish through returning boards and courts what
they failed to accomplish ut the polls. The
history of what followed has been written, AMI
we do not intend to repeatit 1t here. but we beg
every true and loyal citizen OF Kansas, everS
patriotic individual who loves our free institu-
tions, to, first learn all the facts in regard to
this unparalleled usurpatiou OF authority by
canvassing boards and the court, before con-
demuing the action Of the populists In endeav-
orng to secure their rights as decreed at the
ballot box
legislative raettef Vas simply this: That in
order 90 constitute any man member OF the
Kansas legislature he must be eligible to the
oficc and must receive the highest number of
legal votes cast for member OF the legislature
from his district: that no man who was not a
"qualiaed voter" OF, and q resident in the coun-
ty or district from which he is elected, or who
was o herwise disqualified, or who did not re-
ceive the highest number of votes cast for rep
resentative in his dist let could lawfully be
come member of the legislature; and further,
that no court had any power to pass upon the
membership of either branch OF the legislature,
for. according to the constitution leach house
shall be the judge of the elections. returns ami
qualifications of its own members"
The contention of the republicans was that he
who procured n certificate. whether qualified
or not and whether entitled to the same by
reason Of the legal votes cast for him NOT.
was the only constitutional member from his
district entitled to participate in the organiza-
tion OF the house and enjoy all rights OF mem
bership In this manner men who were not
Elected and who were disqualified and in one
case q citizen Of Oklahoma, were declared to be
legal members Of the legislature by the supreme
court It is clear to anv unbiased mind that no
court could pass uron the legality Of tie house
Of representatives without passing upon the
membership thereot and 10 do this. We contend,
Is direct and fragrant violation Of our state
constitution
That men did hold seats In tbs republican
house who were not qualified. and who re
not legally elected. can be demonstrated by An
Investigation OF the facts We challenge the
fullest Investigation ON this subiecs
NOTHING REvoL urIoNARY PLANNED
In undertaking TO prevent this unlawful At