The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-05-14
TIRED OF OLD RUTS
The People of Kansas Ready for
New Party
Which Shall Be Neither Repub-
lican Nor POpulist,
BUT FOR FREE SILVER
With a General Reform in All
Directions,
So Says a Well Known News
paper Writer.
J. J. INGALLS, LEANING
In the Direction Of the New
Silver Party,
And Ex-Gov. Osborn Spoken OF
as Its Leader.
J. J. INGALLS, LEANING
In the Direction Of the New
Silver Party,
And Ex-Gov. Osborn Spoken Of
as It's Leader.

D. o. McCray, Topeka correspondent
OF the St. Louis Republic, has been feel
ing the political pulse in Kansas and
gives the results of his Investigations in
that paper. There is food for thought
in some of his conclusions The article
is as foIlows
Topeka. Kas., May 12 - A great
change in politics and political parties
will take place in Kansas during the
next 1S months This state is unlike
any other in the union. The people are
growing more Independent each year.
The average voter will refuse to wear a
party collar unless that party espouses
principles and adopts policies which he
believes are for the good of the
masses The old war prejudices are
dead, and men have quit fight
ing over the battles of the
civil war. The Kansas Republican no
longer interprets the word democrat to
mean rebel, and the average Democrat,
when he wants to revile his brother Re-
publican, uses a more sndearing term
than the word radical" The Populists
are willing to take in both classes under
the free silver tent, but the fact that this
party is in disgrace, makes it necessary
for the great mass of voters who are now
thinking for themselves to look else
where for an organization into which all
classes and conditions may meet on COM
mon ground for the great financial battle
to be fought in 1896
When the civil war closed thousands
of the young men who participated in it
on the union side came TO Kansas to find
homes. The Republican leaders took
advantage of the situation and for years
played upon their pref judices, and each
campaign found these men fighting over
again the battles of the late unpleasant
ness.
If the Farmers Alliance and Peoples
party movement accomplished nothing
else that would rebound to the benefit of
the masses, it put a stop to this line OF
campaign and forced the Republicans TO
make their campaigns upon living,
rather than dead, issues. The farmers
had their eyes opened and discovered
that they had simply been used by the
professional politicians. From 1889 to
the present time the voters of Kansas
have become more independent and
today party ties rest very lightly on their
shoulders.
1t would be a genius who could today
foretell just what will happen in polit-
ical way in Kansas next year 1t is alto
gether probable that an entire new align
ment of parties will take place in this
state. 1t is safe proposition that no
party can win in the election of a state.
congressional and legislative ticket whose
national platform does not declare for the
free and unlimited coinage of silver
The Republican party would be defeat
ed by $4,000 majority if it should 90 be-
fore the people on a gold standard, or
even bi-metallic platform next year.
ho IL
organization if the national platform
should be constructed upon the lines ad-
vocated by President Cleveland.
Even though the Populist party is in
disgrace, its ticket would be elected over
either of the old parties if it should be
the only organization which declared
TOr the free coinage of silver.
II there were no divisions in the Re-
publican ranks on the money question it
would be very difficult for that partv to
win, because the policy of Governor Nor
rill has hopelessly divided the member
ship,and should he be renominated. which
Is not probable, $4,000 Republicans
would bolt him. He was elected under
false pretenses. He accepted the NOM
ination on a bimetellic platform as a
gOld-bug. Then he found it necessary
to hedge, and wrote letter declaring Q
for the free coinage of silver at the
AoAAO u ~ " l. AuOuodQUS OF RoDuDll-
cans now know that he wrote that letter
to get votes, and they will never again
support him for governor or any other
Office.
So pronounced is the sentiment of the
people of Kansas for free silver that a
regular landslide to the new silver party
may be looked for as soon as it is organ.
lied IN the west Men of all parties can
unite under the silver banner, while mar
ty prejudice will prevent them from 90.
Ing into one of the old parties One OF
the first Republicans to break into the
new party will be John J. Ingalls,. In
al OF his interviews on the silver ones.
uon ne has never yet mentioned the Re.
puolcan party as the Organization
through which free silver Legislation
can De accomplished. The close friends
OF ex-senator Ingalls, say he will lead
the throng of Republicans who will EN-
brace the first opportunity to get into tn,
new sllver movement on the ground floor
1he Populists are ready to abandon
their organization for the new nartv
me Leaders will join in the conference
looking to that end, and whatever conrs
Is taken by the Kansas contingent will
be acquiesced in by their bretb
rem IN the chain of western states from
fhR Gnlf nf Mavio.