The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-01
MUST GO CAUTIOUSLY.
Kansas POpulists Must Stick BY
Watson, It Seems,
Or Texas POpulists Will Bolt
Bryan.
A Situation Which Compels a Circum
spect Line of Action on the Part
of the Peoples Party.

Quit a tangle may arise in case the
Populist convention at Abilene refuses
to place in nomination the Bryan cleo
tors named by the Democratic conven-
ton at Hutchinson, but insists in nam
ing other electors who are not only IA
VOrable to Bryan, but also to Watson.
The faction of the POpulists who
counsel loyalty to Bryan and Watson
hope to have the whole matter settled
by the national committees, and either
Sewal or Watson withdrawn.
In the meantime they say that it is
treason to the party and will lose sew
eral southern states If Watson is
thrown overheard and Sewau indOrsed-
What strength this element has is I'M
known. All the candidates for state Of
flee seem to be in favor of a rat1nca-
ton of the electors put up by the Dem
Ocrats regardless of the consequences
in Texas and other threatening states
The Populists who are OF this turn OF
mind are being patted on the back by
Democratic leaders.
The Democrats don't want TO De
driven to the resort of naming a state
ticket. Martin and Click are therefore
telling the POpulists that the Demo-
Gratis will carry Texas and other south
ern states anyway, and that it does
not matter a rap what the POpul1StS
down there do. Senator Martin said
this morning when asked if the Demo-
Gratis would nominate a state ticket in
case the Abilene convention 1alled 10
indOrSe the Democratic electors, and
named different ones:
Il don't think such a contingency
will arise. The Democrats, POpulists
and silver Republicans will all get to-
gether in this state and it will be done
on the 5th and 9Th of August. In the
meantime am studying the scriptures
and am struck with these words: 'Suf-
ficient unto the day is the evil there
Of -
The Watson men while they are not
doing very much talking seem conf
dent of their ground and insist that
Kansas will have Bryan and Watson
electors even if the POpuIists have to
go it alone, for a while.
This faction relies on Chairman Jones
and Chairman Butler to adjust matters
in their conference which will take
place after the 18th of August, and ar
que that if two separate tickets are
put out in this state now, that matters
can be adjusted by the state central
committees afterwards.
Chairman John W Breidenthal to-
day received the following letter from
c. Vincent, dated at BOnham, Tex, Ju-
~ %, which explains itself:
1T is rumOred here that Kansas and
Nebraska POpulists are about to name
Bryan and SewaH electors, trading or
dropping Watson. I realize that such
rumOrs may be unfOunded, but it is of
the most vital Importance that it be
officially denied before the Texas Pop
uHst state convention cOnVenes at Gal
weston, August 4. I wish you would
make such official denial in the press,
and also write me a letter of denial
cOuched in language that I may use
before the convention.
elimination and recriminatiOn be
tween Kansas and Texas POpulistS can
do no good and may do much harm. I
am in position to be able to inform you
that the vote of Texas in the electoral
college may be rendered doubtful if
Watson is treated with other than per-
feet good faith This is not a threat
nor an insinuatiOn Of bad faith on the
part of your people, but the simple
statement of a fact that exists here
and which leaders cannot control.
The dropping of Watson will be re-
scented, and I wish to be placed in po-
sitiOn to assure the people here that
such rumOrs are unfounded. It will
materially strengthen our hands and
those of southern Populists''
Vincent is well known in Kansas,
having formerly resided at Winfield. He
now lives in Indiana He went to Tex
after the st. Louis convention to
learn about the situation in that state.
Replying to Mr.. Vincent's letter Mr..
Breidenthal says that there is but one
course for the Kansas POpulists to pur-
sue, and that is to nominate Bryan and
Watson electors. He refers Vincent to
his interview along this line in the
Kansas City Times of last Thursday.