The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-24
To Turn His Influence Against
Any Candidate
For State Office, Which He
Made Last Night
MAKES HIM STRONGER.
State Officials Decide to Select
Their Assistants
From Among Democrats, POpu-
lists and Silver Republicans.

llSIS duU OA1FOI hOp uD1ACdHSe
John w. Breidenthal has undoubtedly
gained great headway as the favorite
for the senatorship to succeed VIM. A.
PETER during the past twenty four
hours among the Populist leaders who
are here in conference. His following
has increased immensely; and his re
fusal last night to use his influence for
or against any of the candidates for
state office has strengthened the regard
in which he is held by a majority of
the influential men in his party.
Breidenthal has not announced him
self as a candidate and when asked
about the mater today, he simply said,
Il have nothing to say on the subject"
He has been very careful not to get
mixed up in any other mans boom for
any of the places that they have been
after and his action at the conference
last night and the talk of the other men
who are either candidates or who have
been mentioned for the place, confirms
the rumor that he is conscious" can
didate.
Colonel w. A Harris, who is also
mentioned for the place said this
morning when asked about his own
candidacy:
'.Wen I have not announced that I
was a candidate. I am, perhaps, what
might be termed a receptive candidate
deInOnStrat ted my inability to make
political fight along the lines generally
used by candidates at Abilene last
spring and a senatorial contest might
result the same way There is a posi-
Dlllty OF lively contest over the cleo
tiOn this year PETER viii have, per
haps, the largest following to start
with and Breidenthal Will also be in
the contest and there will be a deter
mined contest made by both sides
What the result viii be no one can tell
A. w Dennison when asked if he had
anything to say in regard to his candi-
dacy, said.
No. have not. guess that the ex-
preston that Dickens uses would be
suitable to my case. .Barxis is willin'" D"
LAST NIGHTS CONFERENCE
The much talked of conference be-
tween the successful candidates for
state offices and the state central com
mittee occurred at the parlOrs of the
National hotel last night The meet
ing was called to order by Chairman
Breidenthal of the state central COM
mittee and he suggested that a chair
man of the meeting be elected. This
caused some surprise, as it was expect
ed he would act as chairman. but as
Mr. Breidenthal insisted, J. NJ. Allen
OF Erie was chosen
Mr.. Breidenthal then arose and drew
from his pocket and read two pages Of
typewriter matter. Mr.. Breidenthal
first told of the object of calling the
conference He said that the mem bers
We're called together to discuss the pol
icy to be pursued by the party in the
future with reference to legislation and
also as to the recognition of the out
side anti-Republica forces. which con
tributed to the success of the POpulist
ticket at the recent election. He said
that the impression had gone outflow
he did not know-that the conference
was called to give out offices and as
a. consequence a vast number of men
had come here to press their claims.
He said that he regretted this feature
He then added
II have learned today that I have
been attempting to dictate al the ap-
pointments under the incoming admin
istration / am accused of discrimln-
ating against a crowd that has always
opposed me, in the distribution of Of
fees I want to say right here and
now that there is absolutely no truth
in this charge. I have tried to dictate
to nobody. have not even recommend
ed anybody for a place 1 desire all
Oficials-elect totally to disregard any
applications based on claim on my
friendship or any one who says I am
backing him. Inasmuch as it is the
general opinion among those looking
for Office that something Will be done
tonight toward the distribution of the
same. and in order that my accusers
may not say that run this conference,
I desire to withdraw from the room
This was a thunderbOlt to those pres
ent and was the topic of discussion
last evening in the hotel corridors after
the adjournment of the meeting. Mr.
Breidenthal withdrew from the con-
ference after making the speech given
above and that was all the part he
took in the matter
Beside all Of the state and congression-
al offcers-elect. the following members
of the state committee attended the con
ference: First district j. Lee simpson
and Grant w. Harrington; Second dis
trict Chris Ritter and H. S. Clark; Third
district. ]. NJ Allen and c. D. Arnold;
Fourth district. w p. Upton and Taylor
Riddle Fifth district D. E Ballard and
p H. Dolan; Sixth district, T. c. john
son and G. NJ Ross Seventh district,
Rufe Cone and f. J. Westgate.
When the meeting proceeded to bust
speeches were ulauG DX Lne stare
officers and those present and it was
practically agreed that in the distribu-
ton of the patronage that the three ele-
ments that had fought the campaign to-
gether should be recognized This was
accomplished There was no particular
persons greed on or recommended to
the governor for appointment nor was
anything said to what Offices either
party should be entitled to-
All the state Ofheers-elect We're in ac-
cord with the plan. Making the appoint
ments in their own departments they
will follow the same plan as near as it
is practical to do Captain w Fl.
Morris. the auditor-elect said today:
L have been considering the plan ana
IL aot raj am a Dem