The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-02
POPS In A CORNER
THEY MUST SHOW THEIR HAND
AFTER CHICAGO CONVENTION.

Ex-Goyerpor IeweilIng Writes John Mar
tin and Submits Plan to Relieve the
Embarrassing situation-He Is an Favor
OF the Democrats Getting Preside mt and
Pops Vice President or Vice versatile
Thinks the Fusion Can be Made In
Electoral CoIIege-Southern Pops Can
Never Stand To Endorse Democracy.
Governor LeweIling is taking hand
In national politics.
A few days ago ne wrote to John Mar
tin outlining his ideas as to what the
anti-gdId forces should do to win ultl-
mate success 1t is said that before john
Martin went to Chicago he felt the Pop
uIist pulse pretty closely to ascertain
their wishes and, no doubt, 10 inform
them that he wanted to be in touch
with them.
The ex-governor was in the Office OF
Sheriff Cone yesterday when an Eagle
reporter dropped in and introduced the
subject of politics.
YES" Mr.. Lewelling said, 81 wrote
D
TO him, and I think gave him some ad-
vice that could be adopted with safety.
What did you tell him?"
Il simply suggested that It would be
the best thing for the Democrats to put
up a man at Chicago and the Populists
to put UP a man at St. Louis. After
that they could have an understanding
on the fusion of electors. In states tnaI
the Democrats would have an undouot-
ed majority over the Populists, the lat
ter should turn in and help the Demo-
Gratis to elect their electors and IN states
where the POpulists would have an I'M
doubted majority, for the Democrats 20
reciprocate. When these electors 80 10
the electoral college they could vote on
their choice for president. The man
getting the highest number or votes
should be declared president and the
man having the next highest should be
declared the vice president. If 1t should
turn out that the populists had the most
votes the president should be a Popu-
list and the vice president a Democrat
and vice versa. In any event, you see,
the Democrats would get one and the
Populists one"
Now, then, governor" asked the re-
porter, suppose the Democrats when
they meet at Chicago adopt platform
declaring unequivocally for the free
coinage of silver at a ratio of l6 to l and
nominate a candidate for president and
vice president absolutely in harmony
with it what will the PopuEsts do?"
We'll, now, that is a nightly hard
question TO answer
IF they refuse to adopt 1t and put up
a ticket Of their own won't the Popu-
lists be open to the charge of inslncerity
on the money question? Won't it look
as II they are more In favor Of offices
than OF principles and Measures
That's all very true but goodness
gracious where would the Populists be
at in the event that they would endorse
the Democratic ticket?'
''They would be at the Democratic
camp"
That's exactly the trouble. That's
where the shoe pinches. We would be
swallowed up by the Democratic party.
Rv lingo, that's worth thinking about
There is where the entire matter Will
hinge. ] honestly do not believe that
the PopuIists VIII endorse the ticket
You see the Democratic party of the
south bears the same relation 10 the
Popuhst party that the Republican
party in the north does. In the south
the Democratic party has been our
enemy and / don't see how the south
ern Popuhsts can endorse the Demo-
cratic ticket any more than we could
consistently endorse the Republican
ticket in Kansas, Nebraska and the
north generally. That shows you, af-
ter all, that my plan is the best.
What is that?"
'Why. for our people to put up
ticket of their own. The fusion could
be more easily made in the ELECTORAL
college than at the polls"
At this point Sheriff Cone declared
unequivocally for Bland If he stands on
a good free silver 10 TO 1 platform and
that put a quietus on the interview so
far as it related to national politics.
Speaking about politics, Mr.. Lewell-
ing expressed a doubt as 10 the result
Of the state convention. He did not |
know whether he would be the lucky /
man or not. Not SO with RUFF Cone. |
Rufe was quite sure that Mr.. LEVEL /
ing would be the nominee. TN tell /
you" he said the people--the plain, !
common people--are for Leweiling and 1
they will nominate and elect him"