The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-04
HIS HARD FIGHT.
Breidenthal Must Hold the Pop
ulists In Line
At Abilene For Watson Instead
of SeWaU Electors.
NOT A STATE MATTER.
But the Fate of Many Southern
States
Depends Upon Kansas Stand,
Particularly Texas.
HARRIS IN THE LEAD.
Has Two Hundred and Fifty
Delegates Promised
For the GOvernOrship, LeWell-
ing Follows Claiming 200.
But the Fate of Many Southern
States
Depends Upon Kansas Stand,
Particularly Texas.
HARRIS IN THE LEAD.
Has Two Hundred and Fifty
Delegates Promised
For the GovernOrship, Lewell-
ing Follows Claiming 200.

Abilene. Aug. 4-The POpulist and
Republican free silver forces are mere
and Abilene is overflowing with them
It has been many a day since there was
such a big crowd in Abilene A free
silver Bryan ratification was held in
the state convention wigwam last night
about /, 200 people being present. A free
silver club was organized, $50 names
being reported, mostly POpuhsts ana
Democrats, but there was a large
sprinkling of Republicans.
G. A Rogers was chosen president;
B. c. CranstOn, secretary w. D. Nln-
cent POpulist candidate for congress
in the Fifth district; E. c Little, ReV;
J. D BOtkin, Colonel W A Harris ana
others made addresses All were de
voted to free silver discussion, and were
cheered. Colonel Harris spoke at length
of his acquaintance with Bryan, and
called him a second Patrick Henry
The contest of the convention which
meets tomorrow will be over the queS-
tion as to whether Bryan and SewaH
electors or Bryan and Watson electors
will be put on the ticket
The candidates for places on the state
ticket are all so far as can be learned
favorable to Bryan and SeWau electors
as such a move will no doubt insure the
endorsement of the ticket by the Dem
ocrats.
Chairman BreidenthaI is preparing to
make the fight of his life in favor OF
Watson electors. And although he says
that men of unquestioned integrity
must be named as electors who are not
only in favor of Watson now but who
viii be for Watson after the election,
there can be no doubt that he hopes
that the Sewall-WatsOn question will
be settled at the proper time through
the action of the national committees,
and that at the proper time either one
set of electors or the other will be with
drawn and the field left clear.
Breidenthal has during the past "a
hours received a communication from
Senator Marion Butler, which insists
that Kansas stand by the action of the
St Louis convention and which argues
that any other course will be disas-
trOus to the success of the party in
several southern states
It is said that at the meeting of the
national POpulist executive committee
it was agreed that a strenuous effort
should be made to hold the threee north
ern conventions, Kansas, Nebraska,
and Pennsylvania, which convene on
the same day that the Texas state con-
VenuOn meets, to the Watson ticket,
and man who claims to know says
that kilograms were written by the
committee and given to leaders in each
of these states which are all to be sent
to the Texas convention assuring Texas
That the three states named will sup
port watson. This viii hold Texas in
line and allow the national committees
to try to solve the veXed question
The candidates for state offices are
meeting all Watson argument by say
=
ly settle the question in Alabama and
that Texas will. go Democratic any
The Silver Republicans are also rem
resentSd here. They are looking after
the interests of Ed Little for coneress-
man-at-large, and seem to be confident
OF his securing the nomination
The Silver Republicans are also TAX
ing hand in the Sewall- Watson dis
cussion and are using the argument
tnat IN case watson electors are nam
eu Ihey VIII be compelled to put up a
separate electoral ticket
p m.-AbOut 20 per cent of the dele
gates nave arrived. They began dis
cusslng the situation at o'clock a. m
IN the railroad park and will continue
to do so all day.
Ihe sentiment in favor of Bryan and
SeWaH electors predominates.
All seem to recognize the fact that
soIneIhlng must be done to keep south
erD Populists in line, and at noon tbe
ntJor1ty were in favor of an even di
vide on the electors. A rumor thar the
Democrats at Hutchinson had adjourn
ed and Will come here in a body bas
temporarily put stop to talk as 10
terms Breidenthal and his men are
gradually receding from their stand for
straight Watson electors
The general sentiment is that +t.r,
must be harmony and all are vri1Ijy7e-
10 concede points to have it.
IN regard to the gOvernorsbfD tba
LeWelling men are doing the most tail
the first ballot. The Lewelline- forces
are trying to make a combination win
King and Leedy and have invited both
to join their caucus. Both refused ~
Harris men claim 25O
Ed Little is being pushed for con-
ShSss- AHere IS much sentiment in his
favor but no disposition to take action
III electors and governor are chosen.
Little said to your correspondent: 1T
nave been asked by many deIee-ata If
/ would run have told them if noni-
nated should make the race. and I did
@ nol know OF any one in Kansas that
would not be glad to do the same +4,jr,[
nave mad assurances from many of
support 1 can't make any estimate If
sLIe3ngth, as 1 am not in a position to
me central committee met todav ana
setued up old business and allotted tick
cts and adopted resolutions. II is ~
scheme of this committee that electors
SnouI9 De apporiOned between Popu-
Asls' democrats and silver Republicans.
ALABAMA NEWS