The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-05

eide What Can be Done in the Interest
of siIver-Doesn't Think Much of
LeweIIiDg.
Topeka, Kan, April 4-The Kansas
Mail and Breeze has the following on
the PopuIist situation in the state:
Populists, Democrats and Free Sill
rerites have an advantage over Republi
Ecans in this state thus far in the mat
ter Of the selection Of gubernatorial tim
Der. They are all at sea and waiting
for developments. Whether the oppo-
sition candidate to the Republican nomi
nee for governor is TO be a straightout
Pcpulist standing on the Omaha plat
form, or a Demo-Pop standing on a.
fusion platform, or a Free Silverite
standing on a new party platform, will
oepend upon the outcome of the nation
81 PopuliSt and Free Silver conventions
to be held at St Louis in July If there
should be a wedding between Populism
and free silver on national lines and a
hew party formed, the opposition 10
Republicanism in he state will obtain
Its cue from that and form a new party
state ticket. If POpulists conclude to
go it alone, they VIII insist on the head
or the ticket in the state and concede
Democracy enough to secure fusion. 1t
Is also within the range Of possibilities
that free silver Democrat with Popu-
Hsuo tendencies may be agreed upon
as the candidate OF the opposition forces
The opinion IS freely expressed by
leading Populists, that if their party
should make a selection now the COVER
norSnIp would lie between eX-COngress-
man Harris and Ex-Governor Lewell-
Ing, with the chances in favor Of the
former. John W. Brei1enthal could
have it # he wanted it and would doubt
less he preferred above all others bur
he has an eye on The senatorship and
positively refuses to allow his name to
be considered in connection with the
governorship. Senator Leedy, S. 8
King, Harrison Kelley and w D. Vim
cent are also prominently mentioned
as possible candidates for governor and
each has a considerable following, but
". A. Harris is unquestionably the IA
VoriUe among all the possibilities men
toned.
1t is quite evident, however, that SEN
timent IS not going to crystalize about
either Of these gentlemen until ii is
known how the political cat viii jump
at st. Louis. When that is known the
candidate TO head the ticket will be
selected in reference to It. The SUI
peIforfty in numbers of the POpulist
party being admitted, w. A. Harris
candidate in the fusion deal, Whatever
may be its nature, but it doesn't follow
That he viii be. The following opinions
expressed TO 4, Mail and Breeze reporter
Indicate the direction of the wind in the
opposition ranks.
John W. Briedenthal: "The question
NJ IN mill in, 60
campaign is purely a matter Of specula-
ton now. If the Populist party should
Eelect the man now it would probably
be W a. Harris, although Mr.. Leedy
and Mr.. Leweliing have great strength
IN the party. There VIII be no decision
on this question until after the ST. Louis
convention. Something is liable TO be
done there in the interest of harmony
Ind united effort between the PopuIist
forces and free silver forces. The Pop
ulist party viii not abandon its princI-
pies, but concessions may be made
whereby all may agree on the head of
the national ticket and on the main is
sue II this is done it will have a ten
dency to shape the course Of the state
campaign. I snail not be a candidate
for governor myself. I have written
hundreds Of letters declining to be and
shall not change my opinion. Whatever
may be the arrangements made. the Pop
Ulists viii surely insist on the head of
the ticket in Kansas. This being the
case, Mr.. Harris stands d good show.
One Of the objections which some of our
people urge against NIr LeweIling IS.
that he would be obliged 10 defend his
administration and his appointments
! Go not believe that a new party VIII
be formed in ST. Louis. IF Democracy
Endorses free silver at Chicago there
will be no necessity for it, but If the two
old parties stand for the gold basis
come union of forces viii doubtless oc-
cur to bring the silver issue to the front
and that viii have its influence on our
state ticket"
Judge W. c. Webb. when I was
down at the Hutchinson conven ton
noticed that the name Of W. y. Harris
was cheered loudly and that ex-Gover-
nor LewellinE was received with equal
demonstration, hut SO far as I know
there was no attempt TO poll the con-
ventiOn on the choice for governor.
There viii he no attempt TO select the
candidate for the present. These are
times when sudden changes are liable
to occur: but one thing is sure: There
viii he no changing Of principles by the
PopuliSt party We may agree with
;n1ake our canvass upon that, but the
Populist party Will continue TO exist
ana retain its principles. w. A. Har-
lis is a strong man for governor. and
there are other strong men like /. u.
Lewell;ng. Harrison Kelley. :. :. King
and Senator Leedy. ! have thought Of
the possible effect the litigation in con-
nection with NJ Harris domestic az
fairs might have on his candidacy. but
Rave concluded II viii not injure him 2
hit His personal character is above
reproach."
Ex-Governor Click. who may be said
10 represent the free silver element in
Democracy. is inclined to believe that
everything will come out right at Chi
sago, and that Populists and Free Sill
terites can flock 70 the Democratic
party for redress. When asked what
would be done in case the Democrats
party did not indorse free silver he said:
~ don't know" As TO the probable
candidate for governor in Kansas to
oppose the choice OF the Republicans.
Mr.. Click said: Nv. A Harris * pro-
baby the most available man. He IS.
perhaps the choice Of the Populis,s and
would not be Objectionable - the Dem
Ocrats. I can see. though. that there is
a possibility Of = change in political
conditions and II is difficult 70 tell now
just who the opposition candidate viii
be-
Colonel Fred Close SAID: 1T is TOO
early yet 10 tell who the Populist can
didate. or opposition candidate 10 the
Republican nominee, viii be II the
choice was made now il would he L. y.
LeNellinE. I believe that John Brieden-