Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-09-30
THE wArsoN-sEwALL D1FF1cULrY.

ing Populists, have expressed consider
able dissatisfaction over the manner in
which fusion between the democratic
and Peoples parties was effected in this
state. That they have a grievance. no
one will deny, but two wrongs will new
er make right. In connection with
this matter, one fact and circumstance
is plainly visible. 1t is this: the ma
Jority number of the men who do not
approve the work of the state conven-
ton are those who either did not partl-
cipate in our primaries which selected
| delegates or assisted in electing dele
! gates who were known to be in sympa-
thy with the idea. The work is done,
it meets the approval of some, others
do not exactly endorse 1t but they feel
that an open revolt at this time would
insure the state to Mckinley and the
| defeat of the entire Populist ticket,
while Others have become incensed at
the thought of ignoring the gallant
Tom Watson and have seemingly tax
en- steps toward nominating by petition
set OF Bryan and Watson electors.
This is the situation as it appears to-.
day, and correspondent would like a
reason why we have forsaken
Tom Watson and hoisted Bryan and
Sewall electors. We answer that we
have not forsaken Watson neither do
we intend to do so. We have admired
the Georgia hero too long for that. We
look upon Tom Watson as one who first
raised his voice against corporate greed
and plumber and one who first helped to
organize the Peoples party. We have
read many of his noble speeches
while member of congress and have
oft reviewed with pride his spotless
record IN the interest of his country
during his official term IN that distin-
| guIshed body. Therefore we say we
could not conceive of any circumstance
that would influence us to do aught
against this wholesouIed man of the
people.
But how about this proposition TO
nominate different set of electors in
this state? Will our friends tell us
how that would benefit Tom Watson?
| Would it not result dlsastr0usly to HIM
as well as the whole party III general?
| We say it would. Chairman Butler of
the Peoples party national committee,
of North Carolina, than whom there is
not more earnest middle of-the road
! Populist to BE found, advises the Popu-
lists of this state not to take this fatal
leap. He is using his influence to bring
about an agreement by which the Pop
ulists shall be given fair proportion of
the electors in this state but if he is
unsuccessful in this, his advice to Kan
Sas POpulists is to vote the ticket unit
eddy and thus prevent the state from
going to Mckinley and the republican
party. Buffers position is fair and rea-
sonable and his advice can be consist
emily followed.
While Mr.. Sewall is not such man
as most of us would like to see elected
we can not afford to do anything that
would imperil the chances of that no
bic patriot and statesman, VIM. j. Bry-
an. His election would be a browning
victory and one that we are all striving
for. BY placing another ticket IN the
held in this state we would be surrend-
ering everything and gaining nothing
Even, Tom Watson, under such cir.
cumstances would not receive tie vote
to which he would be entitled and we
say 1T would work an injustice on him
by placing on his shoulders an unde-
served censure
There is another thing that should be
noticed as we go along and that is this
those who first originated the plan OF
another ticket were composed of such
men as Corning, Bennington, Right
mire, ct. al. whose records in the party
or in official positions are anything but
hattering. They are not safe pilots
and must, to say the least, be followed
with careful, watchful eye. But we
concede that many OF those who have
lent some assistance to the new ticket
Idea are not OF the Corning Bennington
breed. They are men whose services
: in the past have been invaluable anC
! who have never yet had share of The
spolls. To these we say, we honor you
but your judgment we cannot endorse
We can see nothing in this scheme bu
ruin for Bryan, ruin for Watson, ruiz
for our state, congressional, judicial
senatorial and county tickets this fall
1t would weaken instead of strengthen
l our organization and our opportun
. tiles would be lost for an indefnit,
length of time.
4. We have no idea that another ticke
will be nominated. We believe tina
most of those who now seem to favor |
I will give the matter more serious ant
I candid thought and that they will We
sacrifice some rather than to lose all
s There is another matter to which W
wish to invite attention. BY the term
of the Abilene and Hutchinson conven
.. ton, Watson VIII receive the electors
vote of this state provided that he ha
more votes without Kansas than ha
|. SewaiI. The only condition in whic
the electoral vote in this state coul
possibly hurt Watson would be clos
l. vote where Kansas vote would be de
:, cisive, and that is hardly to be expect
ed.