The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-08-14
PILL WAS BITTER
BUT THE POPULIsTS FINALLY
SWALLOWED IT DOWN.

II.s.-sankey said That IL was Burlesque
on the Sacred Name of Reform-Several
Others Talk in the Same vein-Some
Urge sIaus hter at the PoIis-Responsi-
bIIity for Nomination Fastened the
Democrats for Senator.
There was fevered excitement in the
Populist convention yesterday when
The name OF Sam 3. Amidon was pro-
posed there for county attorney.
In the afternoon a conference com
tee was appointed TO meet like COM
mittee from the Democratic convention
They met and it was agreed by the com
mittees and afterwards by the conyen-
lions that the Democrats could name
the candidates for county attorney and
probate judge.
In due time the Democrats sent
committee 10 the Populist convention
notifying it Of the fact that Jesse Hay
maker had been nominated for probate
Judge and S. B. Amidon for county at
torney and asking the Populist conven-
ton 10 ratify the nominations.
Mr.. Haymaker's nomination was rati-
sed by reclamation, but when a motion
was made TO ratify the nomination Of
:. B. Amidon his old law partner, Judge
5ankey, rushed TO the front of the au-
fience. with his eyes flashing fire and
mis- hand raised in tragic attitude and
protested against the ratification OF
such man as Sam Amidon. He char
acteriDed il as a most disruputable and
sr7a fsNv- md al
appreciation would be q scandal that
the party could not afford to shoulder
He said: 1t would be an absurdity for
his convention TO endorse a man who
aad sold out last year for a considera-
zion TO the opposite party. 1 don't
want 10 be bound to this nominee as [
want 10 go out Of this convention a free
man with clear conscience" He did
not think he could do so il he count
snced the nomination Of a politician of
me character OF Sam Amidon. He said
ne mad nothing personally against the
man, nor did he wish to show auy dis
respect TO the Democratic convention.
out when he subscribed 70 the terms Of
fusion he did not think that the Demo-
cratic convention could show such in
rifrerence to the character Of the candi-
yates II intended to present to the
Populist convention for ratification. He
said the ratification of the nomination
Of Anidon would simply make a bur
iesque Of the Populist claims of being
party Of reform.
Mr.. High of Rockford township de-
manded OF Mr.. Sankey TO tell the con-
vention his principal objections 10 the
character OF Mr.. Amidon. Mr.. Sankey's
eyes flashed fire again and he said: Il
Tor man of mis- character. Four years
ago we protested against him in the
same way. We got senator then OF
his character and he was a burlesuue
on our claims and we were made the
laughing stock Of the state for having
elected him. I reserve for myself to
pass upon the character and fitness of
the public officer whom l shall vote for
and l shall consider myself morally
bound not to support such a man as
Mr.. Amidon."
The speech Of Mr.. Sankey created
great comnotion and he set the audi
ence so wild that if a ballot was then
taken Sam AGnidon could not get ten
votes in the convention. But Populists
are easily swayed by their leaders.
F. ]. Arnold of the Third ward looked
wild out Of his eyes also and clawed
against the ratification OF the nonrina-
ton Of Mr.. Amidon. He said that the
Populists of the county who believed in
reform would never stand il. He NOV
ed that the nomination be referred
back TO the Democratic convention He
was cheered to the echo and the conven-
ton went SO wild that a leader who
might be willing could almost lead
most of the members up 10 Mr. Ami
don house and tear IL apart Single
by shtngle and hang its owner to the
olsmantled rafters. The man who
would say then that Sam Amidon
would be nominated by that same
crowd inside of fifteen minutes would
be considered fit subject for a iunatic
asylum. Cries OF 'repudiate Amidon
and turn him DOWN went through the
hall like wild fire, but one man who
stood over near the window was des-
tined to queH the riotous display of
Populistic passion. He was Judge
StrattOn. He asked the convention 10
be calm and then in a very forcible and
vigorous speech counseled the ratifica- |
ton OF the nomination OF Amidon with
the understanding that the Democratic |
convention should be responsible for |
his nomination and not the Populist |
nc o@lu ttldI GOpull>l
convention simply agreed with the |
Democratic convention. under the |
terms OF fusion, 10 endorse its candi- |
dates and had not demanded the right |
to suggest candidates pleasing TO Popu- /
lists. Now" he said, the Democrats /
have nominated Mr.. Amidon and under
our contract with. the Democrats We
are bound in all honor 20 accent the /
man whom they have nominated. He
thought the contract should Be fulniled /
Four years ago he said that the Demo-
Gratis had nominated O'Bryan and 4
Boone and sent them over 20 the Popu- /
list convention where their nomination
vas ratified. Calling attention 10 the /
statement made by Mr.. Sankey that /
O'Bryan was burlesque on reform and /
that Boone had been disbarred before I
his term had expired, he said that 81 /
the time Boone was nominated Mir. !
Amidon would then have been the can /
iidate were il not for the fact that the /
Populists would not accept him. He |
CMr. Stratton) did not think that Ami |
nou could have brought more disgrace
on PopUlis-n and reform than Boone /
did He did not think that Mr.. Anidon /
was as bad 81 man as the protests OF /
NJ. Sankey and Mr.. Arnold indicated.
ITO be sure" he said, MIR. Aridon mas
sovyn a great dead OF wild oats but he
sowed il early and for all he knew he
sowed il all and was pretty good kinS,
"