The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-11-26
HITS THE MYSTIC
MRS LEASE JUMPS ON THE REsUB-
gIssIoN BROTHERHOOD.

Member of 1t and also Tries to Enliehten
the World as to Its secrets-says the
Fight Next will be for the Dethrone-
mept of Prohibition. but She Does not
Think Kansas viii Vote to Reinstate
the Omen saloon-Talks of Dave Over
myer.
Kansas City, Mo-, Nov. 25.-A special
to the Journal from Topeka says: Inc
people of Kansas have been wondering
what had become Of Mary Elizabeth
Lease-that red plumed Mary OF Nav
ARE who rode foremost in the thickest
of the fray. For some time Mary Eliza
beth has been in retirement lew
DAYS ago she emerged long enough 10
attract momentary attention with
scheme to break up the system OF tax
ing apothecaries in Kansas, Tor Wnlcn
she made her amiable little HUSBAND
the catspaw, but this was too small
and insignificant for one with the brill
liant originality Of the only Mary Eliza
beth, and it attracted but little atten-
ton. Now Mary is herself again.
Getting back from Arkansas, where
she has been making lecture tour, on
Friday night, she waited only until the
daylight of Saturday gave her clear
sailing, when she plunged into the
whirl of Kansas affairs with a daring
which is wonderful and with scope OF
action which leaves absolutely nothing
untouched Of present Kansas issues.
She makes governors, senators and
no hand
and builds and destroys parties and
factions with an assumption which is
superb.
All this is accomplished through a
newspaper interview, Mary Elizabeth
favorite vehicle for getting before the
public. She almost paralyZed the poor
pencil pusher at the first brush by
opening with the terse remark:
OVERMYER FOR GOVERNOR.
Dave Overmyer will be the next gov
ernor of Kansas"
After the reporter had partially re-
covered from the effects Of this hot shot
she continued:
Iwant to qualify that little by say
ing, unless the temperance people or
the state awake to the danger now con-
fronting prohibition. There is secret
organization in Kansas which is known
as the Mystic Brotherhood, and that
order is getting hold in every city in
Kansas, and the only oath which they
take is that they will support no man
for Office who is not reSubmissionist,
declared the noted woman, land the
fight next year in this state will not be
upon any other party line than that OF
resubmission. Party lines will be dis
solved and it will be a struggle for the
nf
bition."
what will be the result of the fight?'
INQUIRED the reporter. as he prepared
to set down the unalterable decree of
fate as expounded by this queen OF
prophecy.
"Well, that is hard to tell now, but
mark my word, do not believe the peo-
pie of Kansas will ever vote to reinstate
the open saloon-no. never.
LEWELLING AND PRUDENTIAL
Gently touching the good lady's
eulogy there might be no danger from
the sudden shock, the reporter next
quired: Will Lewelling be renominated
by the Populists for governor"
Quick as shot from gun came this
vigorous response: mo, none Of that
fraternity of boodlers will ever attempt
to run for office again, but they have
slated Senator Leedy Of Coffey county
for that place. They are too smart &c
try it themselves, but they will nomi-
nate a tool they can use, and that will
be just as bad"
Twill the Populists indorse resubmis-
sion?" next asked the reporter, who
was rapidly getting his moneys worth
considering the small admittance fee
charged.
all "a
Mary Elizabeth, who seldom makes
answer in such undecided terms. 1.-THE
rank and file of the Populist party-aS
| in the Republican party-are true tenn
perance men, but the leaders will see tc
| it that the platform will remain silent
and then they can work for resubmis
sion. That declara ton of Breidenthal:
| that the Populists would never indorst
resubmission is a hypocritical state
| ment. Breidenthal and Lewelling are
| both resubmissionists.'
'Lewelling is not, is he?" the reporter
dared to suggest.
'Lewelling? Why. sir, there is a vel
| founded understanding that Lewellins
was only recently sworn into that or
| der, the Mystic Brotherhood and tina
he now stands pledged to vote for NJ
man who is not a sworn reSubmission
list"
AN INDEPENDENT HEREAFTER
In reply to the question as TO wha
| course she would pursue in Kansas poll
| tics, Mrs. Lease said she would here
/ after be independent.
II have always tried to pursue con
| sistent course in politics. she said
and 1 believe that / can do the great
est good by being above party or parti
! san politics. 1 want TO be where 1 car
condemn what is wrong in all parties
| and approve what is good in them with
| out being called traitor TO any parti
san organization.
There never was such political chao,
| in Kansas" she said" but hope Johr
]. ingalls, will be defeated for Unitet
| States senator, and would he happy Il