The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-17
Mr.. CLEMENS RED FLAG
He Waves 1t at Watson and 1t
Ought
To Scare That Troublesome
PeTegrinating Gentleman.
Some Funny Views of Watson and
Wisconsin as Exemplihed
in Kansas.

G. G. Clemens has been interviewed
on what he thinks of Watson. Like In
gals, Joe Waters and a few others
Clemens peculiar style of wit makes
his remarks readable and entertaining
Mr.. Clemens said that Watson re-
minded him of a certain barnyard fowl
which upon entering a barn door eight
feet high invariably ducked its head
20 avoid cracking it against the upper
beam. THE bird imagines himself
much bigger than he really is he said
Great IS Watson, and Watson is his
prophet. I say it with becoming hui
mility, of course, but the future will
JUSTIFY the assertion, however extraVa-
giant 1t may sound today: Tom Watson
is not the Peoples Party. Aye, with the
trembling courage of old Calico, I aver.
upon my shaking knees, as it were that
should Watson be gathered to his faith
ers. or to the Republican party the
Peoples Party, though stunned by the
even hold another national convention
perhaps even elect a justice of the
peace here and there. I grow reckless
perhaps, but do not believe we would
be Immediately up against the wreck of
matter and the crash OF worlds if Sew
all should refuse to give I'D all the
playthlngs to Tom I know that to
Willis and Bennington, and especially
10 Watson himself, shall seem extrav-
agantly optimistic; but I shall not de-
Spatr of the perpetuity of the republic
even should SewaH instead of Watson
be CHOSEN TO preside over the occa-
sional absentees from the senate res
4aurant and dormitoTies.
with all the solemn noise of a barn
stoEming tragedian. Brother Watson
declared at lola: An insult to me is
an insult to the south. Insult the
south and you break up the combine
That throws the election to Mckinley
4 think he OVerestimates the chOleric
element in the southern character.
through
south are several gentlemen we'll re-
Spected by their neighbOrs who don't
give a continental what Kansas may do
TO watson The south is quite large
place, and it would be remarkable if
no such unfeeling and unpatriOtic
wretches were to be found there. I
oven believe there are a score or so of
good POpulistS down there who will re-
fuse to vote for Mckinley should Sew
al be mean enough not to get off the
earth because Watson wants to use it
IA his business.
1T was early in August when the
abilene convention insulted the south
by not dealing all the aces to Watson.
Indignation had been given time
enough to develop red hair before the
Arkansas election; yet the returns gave
small indication of any implacable re
eentment down there. Thoms should
SET a mirror with less microscopic
power and gaze into it steadily an hour
or so each day. 1t might do him good
and enable him to eventually get over
F'en'
sWatsOn's halIucination is a serious
Ratter-to Willis and Bennington and
HVatson. But what IS it he demands?
What the candidate nominated by an
other party should withdraw in his
favor. Is not that a somewhat stun
ming exhibition of gail? He bases this
remarkable demand upon the assump-
4ion that 1t was so agreed at St Louis
as the condition Of Bryan'S nomina-
zion by the POpulist convention There
ss not a shadow of truth in the assump
ton. All but the middle of the road
men, and some Of those, were bent upon
Nominating Bryan, whether or no; and
a large number Of delegates were in
Favor of nominating Sewau with him.
HCvery middle Of the road man in that
convention knew that Bryan had sent
Telegram which the chairman would not
read, absolutely declining the nomina-
tien in advance. unless Sewau should
be nominated, too. I know what am
talking about, for was with the mid
Ole of the readers, and of them. I was
on one of the committees appointed by
their convention, held after the main