The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-10
THEY MADE A TICKET.
Fusionist Democrats Beaten by q
Slim Maj ority
IN The SHAWNEE COUNTY CONVENTION
some Amusing scenes Accom- pnny the
struggle Between the TIVE 1aetIOna-

The Democratic county convention
which was held at Metropolitan hall late
Saturday afternoon. was entertaining IN
the highest degree. The Frank Thomas
faction had planned to adjourn without
nominating a ticket, but they were beaten
by Overmyer's personality and then they
turned the tables and nominated those
who favored middle the-road ticket.
II David Overmyer had not attended
the convention there would not now be
Democratic ticket in Shawnee county.
Frank Thomas was not there, and the
fight was generated by s. B. Isenhart, u.
2. Elliott and r. J. Carney.
The plan was to elect w. A. Snyder
chairman of the convention, and when
the faction in favor Of nominating q
straight ticket did not oppose Snyder the
fusionists thought they had things their
own way
After the committees had been APP
pointed and retired a motion was made
by Charles < Holiday that Hon. David
Overmyer and Chairman Richardson, Of
the Democratic state central committee,
be heard by the convention.
p. j. Carney objected, but the motion
to hear them carried by big majority.
Mr.. Overmyer said that be was sur
prised that any one should object TO al
lowing him to speak at q Democratic con-
vention. He exhorted the members of
the convention to stand up like men and
put straight ticket in the field He then
made short Democratic speech.
Chairman Richardson told the conven-
ton that there was no chance Of the
POpulist ticket being elected, and q vote
for it would be vote thrown away, while
on the other hand the Democratic ticket
stood a good chance of being elected.
5. B. Isenhart, chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions. presented the fol-
lowing report:
Resolved. That we reaffirm our allegi-
ance to the Democratic platform and prin
ciples as enunciated in the national
Democratic platform in 1892, and we
hereby endorse the present national
Democratic administration.
Second-We regard the Republican
party of Kansas as arch enemy of the
Democracy and we therefore pledge our
selves to use all honorable means to Sc =
cure the defeat of said party.
C. <. Holiday, Jr., at once moved the
| following as a substitute for the second
| clause.
Whereas, The Democrats OF Kansas in
state convention assem- bled have honor
! ed the Democrats of Shawnee county by
selecting as their standard bearer Hon.
I David Overmyer of Topeka. and have
associated with him on the state ticket
representative Democrats Of the whole
state, the nominees constituting the best
ticket, viewed from any standpoint in
the field. be it
Resolved, That the Democrats of Shaw
nee county in convention assem- bled,
hereby pledge their hearty support to
the Democratic state ticket from top to
bottom and that they also appreciate the
honor conferred in the nomination of
Hon. David Overmyer for the position of
! governor of Kansas and regard il
fitting recognition of his long and faith
full service IN the cause Of Democracy.
The substitute was adopted without
I discussion.
The chairman than declared norniDa-
tions for county ticket IN order.
L. A. Stebbins placed w. E. Atchison's
name before the convention for county
attorney. The plan of the fusiOnists was
if the opposition placed candidates in
the field, to nominate men who would
decline to run In accordance with the
| plan d. P. Elliott placed S. b. Isenhart
in nomination. Mr.. Isenhart's courage
failed him, and he declined He said he
had tried it once, and he did not care to
/ do SO again.
Atchison's name was then voted upon
by a standing vote, and he was defeated
by vote of is to 70.
Flushed with success, J. T. Ward, a
/ fusionist, at once moved to djOurn with
out nominating ticket.
In a second Mr.. Overmyer was on his
feet
you are out Of ORDER" said the chair
man.
81 will not speak without unanimous
"Does any one object?" asked the
/ chairman.
Not a whisper was heard in the room
Mr. Overmyer then turned TO the
crowd, his eyes flashing and said:
las the head Of the Democratic state
ticket have right to demand Of this
convention that it nominate ticket and
l now make that demand This is a di-
rect slap in my face and I do not pro
| pose to endure II. It must not be said
| that the Democrats of Shawnee county
laid down their arms and surrendered
| Now turn me down if you want to-"
roll call on the motion was de-
| handed and when the names of the dele
gates were called their courage failed
them and they voted against the motion
to adjourn. The vote stood Is to %
against adjournment
Then Col W. =. TOmlinsOn walked
across the room toward the place where
s. B. Isenhart was sitting and beckoned
| to him.
"You go and sit down, don't want to
see you" said Mt Isenhart, anrrily
II will sit down when 1 get ready for
all of you,' replied Col TOmlinson with
a snap as he walked back to his seat.
! The incident was amusing.
Nike Heerey then arose and said
what did you come here fOrT It was
understood that we were to nominate a
| ticket. If you are Democrats, stand up
like men. If you are not Democrats, the
thing for you to do is to walk out"
I. G. ShillingIasv said: ave are Dem
ocrats and we Faare here to beat the Re
publicans. You can't find candidates
who will go out and work in the cam
paign." He thought Mr. Overmyer
would get more votes without county
/ ficket in the field