The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-03
KANsANs AT CHICAGO.
Chairman johnson Says He Believes
Populists and Democrats Will
Fuse.

GOpuuSGS ana democrats w III
Fuse.
Chicago, July 3.-The Kansas people
are represented at the Leland hotel by
several recent arrivals. Headquarters
are to be opened, and the remainder
of the delegation, with two train loads
of enthusiasts, will be on the scene
Sunday. The special trains will come
in over the Santa Fe, and shortly after
their arrival a room on the parlor floor
will be arranged as the Kansas redez-
vous.
The advance guard now in the field
includes Senator Martin of Topeka;J.
G. Johnson, Samuel A. Riggs of Law
renee, delegates from the Second dis
trict; David Overmyer, one Of the dele
gates-at-large, and J. Mack Love of
Arkansas City. Mr.. Johnson is the
new member of the national committee,
and was elected by the state conven-
ton Of Kansas Democrats. Charles W.
Blair has represented Kansas in that
body for the past twelve years, but his
day is over. This may be accounted
for in two ways. There is a feeling
among the Kansas Democrats that
they have not been looked after as
carefully as they might wish; that Mr..
Blair has not been as active in the COM
mittee in their behalf as a new man
will be. Another influence brought to
bear in turning him down is that his
views on the financial question have
not the sterling silver lining that the
partisans desire Kansas has been di-
vided by factions in the party by a
line running north and south about five
miles east of the center of the state.
All the offices and the administration
appointees come from the Missouri
river side of the state, and it is the
western portion of the state, with the
small following in the east, which has
named Mr.. Johnson for the national
committee.
Dissatisfaction is said to already ex-
list among the Kansas men over the
allotment of tickets. The men here
say that they will be able to secure
only $50 tickets for their constituents,
and, with 500 shouters in the city, who
will come from such a distance, there
will be some loud walls of diSappOint-
ment.
Mr.. johnson was in the room of Sen
ator Martin when seen by a reporter,
and was asked as to the sentiment
among the Kansas delegation for
presidential nominee. He replied:
I'VE think there is a strong sentiment
for Bland in the delegation. but know
this only through report, and not as a
result of any canvass of the members.
Mr.. BOies has many firm friends, who
will do all they can to secure his nom
nation
Mr. johnson said further:
80 Tar as we nave DGen aDI6 TO
certain, the majority of the Populists
in Kansas favor a combination with
the Democrats on state and national
tickets Senator PETER is opposed to
such an arrangement, but will have to
submit to the wishes of the majority.
Much depends on the man who is Sc
lected to head the ticket here in Chi
cagO. as to whether the POpuliStS will
be with US or not. I think if either
Bland of BOies is nominated they would
indorse the ticket but if Bryan is
named am sure of it. The POpulists
may choose Senator Teller for their
nominee at St. Louis, but if everything
goes well here, both the silver men
and Populists will be with the Democ-
racy-
The Chicago convention will surely
adopt a free silver plank, and that is
an issue the Populists demand and -eX-
pect. That action will be in perfect &C
| cord with their views, but that is not
all that is necessary to secure their
| support They want a man who is in
| sympathy with them in other things,
so, as said, all will depend on the
| nominee. Kansas will vote as a unit
| in all things. I do not think the dele
cation is in favor of abOlishing the
| unit rule, unless there is a very ap-
| parent necessity for it. If the gold
| men show evidence of yielding to the
| majority, and if it is finally deter
mined that the silver men have near
| the tWO-thirds there Will be no neces-
| sity for such action.
'Revertfng to the Populists in our
| state we have reason to think they
| will give US their support: there are
| just enough of them to be nicely de-
feated by the Republicans, and with
| out US their hands are tied. We in
| dorsed their ticket four years ago, with
| General Weaver, and it is but natural
| for US to expect a return of this ia
! vOr. If the St. Louis convention does
place ticket in the field the Kansas
end of the party will have to go with it
! in a measure. In such an event, we
| can indorse their state ticket and com
| bine on our national ticket, and make
| sure of Republican defeat in that
| state"
1t is more than probable that Sena-
| tor Martin will be the member from
! the state on resolutions. David Over
| myer, delegate at-large, will go to the
| credentials committee. There are sew
/ eraI possibilities for the rules commit
! tee Judge McCIeverty, delegate-at-
| large, and chairman of the state cen
! trail committee, is a favorite for this
/ honor J. Mack Love of Arkansas
! City and S. A. Riggs of Lawrence are
| also mentioned.