The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-19
TWO CENTS.
SAT DOWN ON.
Chairman Butler Refuses to Recog-
nize the Kansas Watson Crowd

Chairman Butler Refuses to Recog-
nize the Kansas Watson Crowd
The middle Of the road Popunsts.
Willis, Steinberger, Bennington. have
at last secured the names Of ten men
to act as electors from this state (in
case they should be elected) and to
cast their votes for Bryan and Watson.
The middle Of the road people VIII
act independently Of the Populist ma
tional committee. They will necessar-
lily have to do SO as that organization
has turned them down. 1t was an
nounced by John F. Willis when he
first began to figure on putting out an
other electoral ticket that he had the
sanction Of the POpulist national com
mittee. Willis then had an interview
with Watson during his stay in this
state. After Watson left the state and
Willis came back to Topeka, Willis
said that the middle of the roads had
the positive cooperation Of Watson
and also the sanction of the national
committee. After another canvass of
the situation Willis, Steinberger and
W. H. Bennington held a conference in
this city at the National hotel on
Thursday last and organized them
selves into a state central committee
with Willis as chairman and Stein
berger for secretary. Plans were made,
but at that time the committee refused
to give out anything as to their inten-
tions. They all left town, presumably
to secure the consent of the parties
that they hoped to induce to become
candidates for electors. It has leaked
out today, however, that as soon as the
newly self appointed committee had
met and organized, Chairman Willis
teIegraphed to the national committee
and informed it of the organization
and asked the national committee to
recognize the new committee. This the
national committee refused to do, sa ying
that there was already a state central
committee in this state that had been
ttQn OF PopuliStS, and that the national
committee could not recognize any
other state central committee in this
state. This discOuraging start may
have been the cause Of the middle-of-
the-roaders not having anything to say
about their plans on Thursday.
Abe Steinberger came back this
morning and after having q walk and
talk with Chairman Jim simpson OF
the Republican state central committee
had petitions printed for circulation to
secure signatures of voters. The pett-
ton reads as follows:
I'VE, the undersigned, qualified vot~
ers of the state of Kansas, in accord
ance with the laws relating thereto and
the authority given thereby, do hereby
nominate as candidates for the offices
dent of the United States for and from
the state of Kansas, each of the follow
ing persons here designated, namely:
Joe P. Perkins, Columbus, Cherokee
county.
Leavenworth county
Il. v. B. Kennedy, Fort Scott, Bour-
bon county.
y. w. wooIley, Iden. Crawford
y. M. Bannon, Chetopa, Labette
y. ". Doo1ttle. Cottonwood Falls.
IS. W. Combs. Junction City, Geary
e. J. Hill. Phillipsburg. Phillips
&C. 4. Frantz. Canton, MCPHERSON
m. Pembleton, Ness City Ness
s1These petitions will be sent out to
about one hundred localities in this
state to be circulated and it is request
ed that they be returned to the COM
rafttee by the 9th of this month
Mr.. Steinberger in speaking OF the
i''srVSS I'VE have tried to get them circulated
as generally over the state as the snort
space of time that we have nad 70
work the matter up IN, mas alloWeq-
We will have some signers from eacn
congressional district at least.
When asked what they would 90 N
case the national cOulullLLGe SlA. Nl@
make some arrangements in regard 10
the matter and ask them to withdraw
these petitions, he said.
I'VE are not working under the na-
fionaI committee. We are working Tor
Mr. Watson We are not employed Dy
him. but we have his sanction ana VIII
not follow the recommendations OF na-
tfOnal committee unless they are -
KID by Mr. Watson. OF course II wat
son should withdraw from the race II
would materially change our plans
s.T saw some rumor in the telegraphlc
reports as to the proposed action OF the
two committees in regard to ordering
both candidates for vice president on
of the track but unless Mr. watson
Ivithdraws himself we are here to work
for him and will do So"
It is rumored that a telegram win
soon reach Willis, Bennington and
Sfeinberger from Mr.. Watson telling
them that he can not accept their Ia
oor of love" in his behalf; this VIII be
more unpleasant news to Chairman
Simpson of the Republican state centIaI -rs1I
committee than anybody else, as 1t VIII
be a case of clear waste of the "sineWs
of war"