Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-19
KANSAS PopuLrsTs IN SESSION
Two Factions Engaged in n Quiet
struggle for Supremacy.

struggle for supremacy.
HUTCHINSON, Kan, March 1S.-on the
surface at least peace and harmony prevailed
among a majority of the delegates to the
state popuist convention before Chairman
John w. Breidenthal of the state central
committee raped the gathering to order
today.
It was given out that Secretary Breiden.
thai was extremely desrors that harmony
prevail in the conventions proceedings and Il
was generally conceded that the Kansas
leader of the populists would have his way.
A conflict is possible, however, between the
two elements having different views on the
money question. One, headed by National
Chairman Taubeneck. believes In the Omaha
platform and Is opposed to the single stand
ard plank, and the other wants a platform
making the money question the great issue.
hoping to unite all the silver parties and
silver elements Of the old parties. There is
scarcely no talk about presidential candi-
dates.
Before the convention the delegates gath
cred in caucuses by congressional districts
and agreed upon committeeman. The audi
torium where the body met began to fill
early, and long before IL o'clock every dele
gate was in his seat. The intervening time
was filled up by the band playing patriotic
airs, which stirred the delegates to high
state of enthusiasm. Promptly at II o'clock
Chairman Briedenthal raped the convention
to order, using as gavel a broken piece of
fence rail "a suggestion of Abraham Lincoln)
which brought forth renewed cheering
After an address OF welcome by Marion
Watson, editor OF the Hutchinson Bee, and
response by T. ]. Hudson, Secretary Sem
Pile read the official call. ID. c. Searcher of
Johnson was made temporary secretary and
Harris Kelley Of Barber county and G. B.
Hoffman of Dickinson nominated for tenn
porary chairman. Here ensued discussion
over the method Of appointing the commit
tees, and finally short recess was taken
for the purpose of selecting the committee
men by districts.
Among these on the platform when the
convention was called to order were II. e.
Taubeneck, chairman Of the national conf
mlttee; j. II. Mcdowell Of Tennessee, Rev.
j. d. Botkin T. j. Hudson and other promi-
nent leaders of the party
When the convention reassembled In the
afternoon, as the committees were not ready
to report, the time was taken up in speech
making, ex-Congressman Jerry Simpson, ex-
Governor Lewelling and other leaders max
ing brief remarks. Ex-Governor Lewelling
enthused the audience to the highest pitch.
The report of the committee on resolu-
tions put an end to further speechmaking.
The convention unanimously and without
debate adopted the platform reported, which
is along the lines Of the Omaha resolutions.
1t begins with an appeal to all oppo-
nents of the single gold standard to unite
in state and nation in an alliance with
the peoples party and calls attention to
the fact that a change from one political
party to another has made matters worse
for the country; it favors economical govern
ment; demands the overthrow cf trusts
and the government ownership or control
of public utilities; demands that power be
taken from the president and secretary of
the treasury to issue bonds; maintains that
all money should be issued by the govern
ment; favors free coinage at 16 to l. in
dependent of other nations, and concludes
with denunciation Of trial of citizens by
injunction or contempt proceedings without
trial by jury
After the adoption of the foregoing reso-
lutions the business of the convention was
quickly brought to a close. Delegates to
the national convention at St, Louis were
selected. apparently Without strife The con-
vention was thoroughiy shar1noHio,is and un-
usually enthusiastic The delegates elected
to the national convention at large are ex-
Governor Lewelling, J. w. Breidenthai W.
A. Harris and Frank Doster. Eighty-eight
other delegates were chosen by congress
siopal districts. They are practically solid
for union Of all advocates of free silver
upon a common ticket and are not decided
upon any candidate, preferring to await de-
velopments