Evening star., 1894-01-24
FUSION IN KANSAS,
Democrats and POpulists Discussing
Combination


Democrats and POpulists Discussing
Com animation.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
TOPEKA, KAN, Jan. - 1894.
During the past two weeks a great deal
OF political wire-pulling has been going ON
In Kansas. Seats in the United States Sen
ate and Congress have entered into these
deals and republicans populists ami demo-
Gratis have taken a lani in fixing matters.
Leaders of ali parties have gathered at the
state capital to discuss the situation. while
prominent Kausans at Washington have
written to frields here - look after their
interests.
Two months ago anoth sr fusion between
the democrats and popuiis,s in Kansas WIS
considered out of the question. Today it
seems settled fact that they will get to-
gether on state and congressional tickets.
The drift of sentiment in both parties is in
that direction and to defeat it will require
the earnest effort Of Mrs. Lease and her
middle-of-the-road populist friends. The
facts are that her determined fight against
the fusion idea led to her removal from the
board of charities. Since she was egged in
Macon, Ga. in 1902. when she and Gen.
Weaver were stumping that state, she has
mad no use for democrats and she has no.
hesitated to say SO. This greatly displeascd
Gov. Lewelling, who realizes that without
the democratic support in Kansas the popu-
list party cannot win. He was therefore,
compelled to remove her. and 1t was largely
at the dictates of democrats. Mrs. Lease Is
aware of this and does not hesitate to iii-
form her brethren Of the true situation
Gov. LeweIling After the SenatOrship.
Since Mrs. Lease has turned her batteries
on the state administration Gov Lewelling
and his friends realize that his renomina-
tion is an impossibility and are, therefore,
looking around for an easy place to light
The governor is loath to quit and feels that
two years in Office is not enough. After
looking the ground over. he has decided to
enter the race for the United States Senate
to succeed Senator Martin. whose term ex-
pires in March. 1895. This is In accordance
with the plans formulated here several days
ago
At the conference referred to prominent
democrats and populists were present.
While the democrats admitted that they
could do nothing by themselves. they i'm.
they could not win without them. Both
parties agreed that another combine might
defeat the republicans while divided fight
would mean certain defeat to them. 1t was
agreed that the democrats should have the
governor and three members Of Congress.
The populists would take the balance Of the
state ticket and four members Of Congress.
Gov. Lewelling is to give this deal the full
strength and support of his administration
and the democrats and populists are to
unite on him for United States Senator. This
Of course. leaves out Senator Martin, but
his reelection has never been seriously con-
sidered The feeling prevails In Kansas that
he is neither populist or democrat, and.
therefore, he is not regarded as a factor In
the next senatorial fight.
The straiEht-Outs.
membership in the two parties. There is
an element in the populist party that will
decline to be bound by the acts Of the lead
ers, and II will number many thousands.
The probability is that another ticket Of
straigh; poruiists would be placed in the
field. Then there is AN element of stalwart
democrats that would fight the fusion ceal.
but this number would be limited to a few
thousand. In Kansas 1t is considered good
democratic politics TO fight republicans. and
democrats are not particular as to the meth
DDS used. 1t is the Judgment Of far-seeing
politicians in all parties that three fourths
of the membership of the democratic and
populist parties will vote a fusion ticket on
the general proposition that anything is PRE-
fe:able to republican rule IN Kansas again.
Republican Candidates.
Another republican candidate for United
States Senator mas some upon the surface.
Mexico Thomas Ryan. When Ryan re-
turned from Mexico he went to Washington
and opened a law Office. Recently he an
nounced that he intended 10 return to To-
peka and practice law. AMI accordingly
opened an office. His friends say he IL the
natural candidate of the party, AMI that he
will be strong because he has not been
in the state during the last five years
and has therefore not been mixed
up in the factional broils and strifes
within the party. On the other nand. the
friends of j. II. Burton. J. B. Johnson, J.
W. Ady and b. ". Perkins will resent the
attempt Of Ryan to slip into the Senate end
will combine against him II his candida ~
becomes dangerous Chief Justice Horton
is also mentioned a possibility but this is
regarded more as a stab at Ingalls, than
anything else. Horton and Ingalls, cordially
hate each other, and for the former to think
of going to the Senate woul1 be considered
a personal affront by the ex-senator.
Ex-Congressman z. n. Morrill,, who is
now the leading candidate for governor on
the republican ticket, has a senatorial string
to his boom. He however, is not looking
for senatorial honors until 1897, when Sen :
ator Peffer5 time expires Maj. Morrill,
wants to serve one term as governor and
then wind up his official life in the United
States Senate. This will also interfere with
Mr.. ingalls, plans, he long since served
notice on the people OF Kansas that he
would take care Of Mr.. PETER In 1897.