The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-18

state central committee raped the gath
ering to order here today.
1t was given out that Chairman Breid-
enthal was extremely desirous that har-
mony prevail in the conventions
proceedings and it was generally
conceded that the Kansas leader of the
Popalists would have hiA way. A con-
fict is possible, however, between the
two elements having different views on
the money question. One element
headed by Notional Chairman Taubeneck
believes in the Omaha platform and is
opposed to the single standard plank and
the others want 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 any talk about presidential can
didates.
Among the crowd here, is Ex-Governor
L D. Lewelling of Wichita, s. n. Scott
of Emporia, w. l. Brown of Kingman,
and w. ). Costigan editor of the Ottawa
Journal
There are niuety-two delegates to the
national convention at ST Louis which
the convention will elect
The manner in which the delegates
are to be selected has been carefully
mapped out by the state central commit
tee Four are to be elected from the
d
pointed among the congressional dis
tricts as follows: First, ten; Second,
twelve; Third, thirteen; Fourth. twelve;
Fifth, twelve; Sixth, eleven; Seventh.
eighteen. These will be selected in eau
Gus by the delegates of the different dis
tricts, and the convention will simply
ratify the action of the deleg ations of the
congressional districts.
Nearly every county in the state has
instructed its delegates to support some
home man as one of the delegates, but
as there are 105 counties in Kansas, and
only 90 delegates, they will not all get a
representation on the delegation. Per
haps however, not more than ninety two
counties will be represented at the con-
vention. and in that case all of them may
get a man.
If four delegates only are elected at
large, two of them will, in all probability.
be John w. Breidenthal, chairman of the
state central committee, and s. NJ. Scott,
of EmpOria.
There is a feeling among those here
today that Governor Lewelling will be
unanimously elected one of the dele
gates at large if he wishes it, but the ex-
governor has not yet made known his
desire. There will probably be lively
scramble for the fourth place.
Hutchinson, of course, will not neglect
to entertain the visitors and make them
feel at home.
At meeting of the local Populists
last night a reception committee was ap-
pointed to look after the arrangements
for the convention.
Extra cara have been ordered in oper-
alton by the Hutchinson Street Railway
company, and the delegates and visitors
have no difficulty iu getting to and from
the auditorium.
Opening OF the Convention
RefOre the qanvaptioo ,.. .b;z ---o,z
ing the delegates gathered in caucuses
by congressional districts and agreed
upon committeeman, The auditorium
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 filed up by the band playing
patriotic airs which stirred the delegat
TO q high state of enthusiasm
Promptly at II o'clock, Chairman Brei-
denthal raped the convention to order.
using as a gavel broken piece of fence
rail- a suggestion of Abraham Lincoln,
which brought forth renewed cheering
After an address of welcome by Marian
Watson, editor of the Hutchinson Bee
and a response by I. ]. Hudson, Secre-
tary Semple read the official call.
d. c. Zercher of johnson was made
temporary secretary and Harrison Kelly
of Coffey county and G. b Hoffman of
Dickinson nominated for temporary
chairman. Here ensued a discussion
over the method of appointing the com
mittees. and finally a short recess was
taken for the purpose of selecting the
committeeman by districts.
Among those on the platform when