The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-13
CALDWELL ISM THE LEAD
Among the Populists as a Candidate
for President,
BUT THEY WILL NOT ENDORSE HIM

At the Convention at HutehiD"On
Next Neutrality-suspicious. of the
Delegates at st. Louis.
The question of what will be done by
the PopuIists at their state convention at
Hutchinson next "Wednesday is engag-
ing the attention of all people who are
interested in politics. While the strength
of the Populists at the national election
is somewhat problemstical, it is ad-
mitted that with the detection of the sill
yer forces from the old parties which is
expected, they will become very dan
gerous factor.
1t is a strange fact that the Populists
have not seriously considered any one
for the presidency and the delegates Will
go to Hutchinson next week with little
idea of who will be the man selected at
ST. Louis TO head the Populist forces.
If poll of the Populists in the state
could be made it would undoubtedly be
found that majority would favor United
States Circuit Judge Caldwell, but Judge
Caldwell has never lent his encourage
ment TO the boom, and on the other hand
has said that he would not be can
didate.
Next to Judge Caldwell. the most pop
ular man is Senator Allen. of n Nebraska.
Allen is recognized as a strong man, and
would be very available candidate, but
the Popuiists do not want to lose him
from the senate, and they would rather
not support Allen on that account.
Then there is Senator Tillman. He
has many friends in Kansas, and will
probably get some of the votes of the
Kansas deleg alton. Senator PETER is
also spoken of, but he has not encouraged
the sentiment, and will hardly become
factor in the race.
Kansas will send 90 delegates to the
St. Louis convention and they will go
uninstructed. 1t is the desire of Chair
man Breidenthal to get as strong men as
passible on the Delegation for it is ex-
pected that Kansas will WELD a great
deal of influence in the convention.
There are several men in Topeka who
would like to go to St. Louis. They are
ex-Secretary of State Osborn, Frank
Herald, ex- Chief of Police Lindsey and
NJ. d. Henderson. One of these will
probably be selected, though it is by NO
means certain.
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
state at large and the rest are to be ap-
portioned among the congressional dis
tricts as follows: First, ten: second.
twelve; third, thirteen; fourth, twelve;
fifth, twelve; sixth, eleven; sew
enth, eighteen. These will
sbe selected in caucus by
the delegates from the different districts,
and the convention will simply ratify the
action of the delegations of the congress
ional districts.
The manner of election will remove
che fight from the convention except on
she four delegates at large and to all ap-
pearance there will be very little ex-
element on the surface of the Hutchin-
son convention
The Shawnee county convention will
be held tomorrow when the eight dele
gates to which Shawnee county is enti-
tied will be selected. a. NJ. Harvey will
probably head the delegation.
In speaking of the probable action of
the Hutchinson convention on the ques-
ton of resolutions, Secretary Semple of
the state central committee said to
JOURNAL reporter:
"There is a sentiment, l do not be-
lieve it amounts to anything more, to
sidetrack the PoIulists and have US come
out on the single plank of free silver.
The silver convention is to be held at
st. Louis at the same time as our state
convention and l am in favor of letting
them know where we stand and rea firm
ing our principles in two or three strong
resolutions. am satisfied that they will
be passed and that they will come out
plainly In favor of our three cardinal
principles, land, transportation and
finance. l am opposed to being side
tracked.