Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-10
John Davis Can't Make Il.

IL mas IohB peen apparent that many
many Populists as well as their Demo-
cratic allies are disgusted with the
tlo-nothing uselessncss of Congress-
man John Davis. The Topeka Press,
the leading Populist paper Of Kansas,
in spite Of the fact that the Pop
"machine" has decided on Davis re-
nomination next month, comes out
ilat-footcd and declares that he will
be beaten. This is what it said edi-
torially Saturday;
Recently many Democrats from diff
ferent portions Of the Fifth district
met in council to discuss the situation.
Previous to the meeting the delegates
had sounded leading Populists in their
counties and each man came TO give
and receive what information he
could.
Dickinson, Geary and Washington
counties report n disposition on the
part of the Populists to concede the
nomination this year to the Democrats
provided the nominee Is in line with
their demands for free silver. Saline
county would be willing to comprom-
Use on Saline county Populist.
But little could be learned from
Marshall county, except that the DEM
ocrats there are anxious for fusion
upon Democrat. Cloud county Is
rather disinclined TO change. Even
some Of the Democrats there favor the
denomination Of Davis. Riley county
Populists are likely to support Davis.
Ottawa county will listen to nothing
but Davis. Clay county is mixed,
many Populists expressing the fear
that Davis cannot be elected.
Republic county Democrats insist
upon q Democratic nominee. Some
Populists there are willing to yield
the point.
1t was agreed that DIR. Gum Of
Dickinson county would he the most
acceptable candidate. His views are
so far in line with the Populists that
he withdrew in 1892 as q candidate for
representative that the Republican
member might be defeated. He is for
free silver and for lower taxes. He
has been consistent fusion Democrat,
and would be acceptable TO all Demo-
Gratis, and no Populist could object to
him II nominated.
On one thing the Democrats agreed.
and that Is thai new man must be
nominated to obtain Democratic votes.
II four years Of fruition will not con-
tent the POpulists, and they insist
upon rc-nominatng John Davis, a
ticket will be put in the field and it
will not be Withdrawn. Under these
circumstances, however, it is sand that
DIR. Gum will refuse to accept the
nomination.
The Democrats have not determined
what their final action will he. They
will bend every energy to the defeat
OF the Republican nominee. but they
are not willing to adopt the Republi-
can plan Of keeping one man forever
in Office. Both Populists and Demo-
Gratis cOncede that John Davis can not
be elected for third term, and there
is great anxiety to get together in
favor of winning candidate.
saF''f 80 N'iAiilNs VI t'ullllt NuulNNs
would make Il good candidate. So
would George McConkey, of Ottawa
county. Both are conservative Popu-
lists. A. A. Carnahan, of Cloud
county would be acceptable man.
Democrats say they viii support any
conservative Populist who can be
elected, but they are certain that the
nomination of John Davis means
defeat and they would rather be de-
feated on their own ground than to be
doubly whipped AS they would be il
they endorsed Davis.
II Davis is nominated the Demo-
Gratis will proceed at once to nomi-
mated ticket, not only congression-
al, but county tickets will be put in
the field in every county in the dis
trict, Ottawa probably excepted. This
is the feeling among Fifth district
Democrats.