The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-13
w. A. HARRIS HERE.
Tells Why He Wouldn't Run for
Governor
WHEN THE POPULISTS WANTED HIN.

said That He DID Net Want to Antag-
Onize GOV. lie yelling Who il an Up
right Van But Nay Have Made His
takes.
Congressman W. A. Harris arrived in
the city at z o'clock last evening His
best friends did not recognize him as he
no longer wears full beard
He is here to consult with the Populist
leaders and will 60 out into the campaign
next week. He said he did not expect TO
make as thorough campaign of the
state as be did two years ago
a JOURNAL reporter asked him if he
Id to be considered Democrat or Popu-
list.
He seemed a trihe confused as he said:
@What is Democrats I have always
been a Democrat. but I am not a Cleve-
land Democrat or B0urke ockran Dem
ocrat" Then he hesitated before he con-
tinued. @NO. l am a POpulist but as far
as the fundamental principles are con
cerned L am a better Democrat than
those men in the east The Popujists
from all over the country believe the
same things. but the Democrats and Re
publicans in the east now stand together"
"One Of the greatest misfOrtunes to the
country" continued Mr.. Harris, sis this
gold bug Democracy and Re pu blicanism.
1t must have been qualification to John
Sherman TO see the Democrats swing
around and give him just what he has
worked for for years"
.'What il your opinion Of the Demo
cratic state ticket in Kansas. VIII it re-
ceive any suppOrt9"
Il can't say anything but good of the
people who haven't a possible chance of
being elected They may defeat US, but
they can't be elected 1t is their ambi-
ton to secure the election of Republi-
cans to congress and they Will do all they
can to secure that end"
aWhy did Won not accept the Populist
nomination for governor, Mr.. Harris,
when so many in the party desired itI'
Il received great many letters ask
ing me to permit them to use my name
before the convention but my health has
been very poor and l did not feel able to
make a campaign such as the nomina-
tion would demand Then did not
wish to cause discord in the POpulist
ranks. I have perfect faith in the integ-
rity Of Governor Lewelling. While he
may have made mistakes and no dot bt
has been victimized in some of his ap-
pointments, 1 consider him an honest
and honorable man. so I could not Op-
pose his nomination"
Mr.. Harris. like most statesmen, has a
hobby, and talked interestingly about it
His hobby is the settle ment of the gov
eminent debt against the Union Pacific
railroad. He was member of the house
committee to consider the renewal or
foreclosure of the mortgage held by the
government.
He said: ST am earnestly in favor of
the foreclosure Of the mortgage and the
requirement Of the road by the govern
ment I'D Is a great public highway con-
Meeting the Atlantic and Pacific and if
it is acquired by The government it will
etfectuaIly solve the railroad question
The road is INDEBTED to the government
to the amount of $135, 5000 When the
committee to consider the foreclosure or
extension of the mortgage was appoint
ed was the only member of
the committee who did not favor
a long extension. The proposition was
for an extension Of the mortgage for a
period Of from 100 to 125 years. got
three other members of the committee 20
work with me, and we secured a reduc-
ton of the time to fifty years. I then Of
fered a resolution to foreclOse the mort
gage at once, which was defeated in the
committee.
Majority and minority reports were
then made to the h0use-the majority
report favoring e. fifty year extension.
and the minority report IN favor OF i'm
mediate foreclosure. Boatner of Louis
lana, Snodgrass of Tennessee, and Cooper
Of Wisconsin, signed the minority report
with me.
'tIhe matter will come up in Decem-
Der, and | am satisfied that we will win
in the house, and the mortgage will be
foreclosed-"