Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-08-06
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS, THURSDAY NOON AUGUST 6, 1885,
KANSAS POPULIsTs.
The Opening Session OF the Convention AZ
AbiIene-DennisOn for Chairman.

The Opening Session OF the Convention az
Abilene-DennisOn for Chairman.
ABILENE, Kan, Aug. Dust before
noon to-day Chairman Breidenthal
called the peoples party state conven-
ton to order. Rev. Dr. Blayner offered
prayer, c. s. Crawford populist law
yer, delivered an address of welcome
which greatly pleased the delegates.
Judge A. w. Dennison, of Eldorado,
was chosen temporary chairman by
reclamation. On assuming the chair
Judge Dennison said there should be
fair play, and thus sore spots in the
campaign would be avoided. He eulo-
gized the populist party and spoke of
some of the legislation which it had
accomplished. His mention OF the
law forbidding the execution of gold
contracts was especially applauded.
These laws, he said, were enacted by
the famous stormy legislature of 1898,
and in the eleven days the senate and
house were together in that session
more good laws were enacted by that
legislature than had been passed for 25
years before.
The speaker said that the people of
the United States wanted but two sets
of electors presented for their suffrage
in this campaign-one set for Nc
Kinley and Hobart and the other for
Bryan and vice presidential candidate
to be agreed upon, and that above
all things it wa, the peoples desire
that the party managers friendly to
Bryan should make sure that the ma
jority of the votes eff the electoral col
lege should not be cast for Mckinley
and Hobart.
o. w. Iendee, of Reno county, was
elected temporary secretary and Frank
Honeywell, of Cloud, assistant secre-
tary. Somebody tried to run in a
reading clerk also, but the convention
cried it down.
This convention will adjourn leaving
many ugly quarrels to veX the party
managers during the campaign The
fight between the Lewelling and Harris
factions has grown SO bitter that soma
men have become open enemies and
only address each other in terms of vi
tuperation and abuse. Yesterday aft
ernoon was particularly stormy and
some disgraceful scenes occurred The
effect of this mode ofwarfare has been to
turn some of the delegates to Leedy,
King and Munger. 1t especially has
crippled Lewelling, who is unfortunate
in some of his supporters. While he
does not approve of making person Il
fight upon any of his competitors, he
has no control over his friends, and a
half dozen have overstepped the bounds
of propriety so far as to cause reGc-
ton against him.
IL iris continues to claim his nomi-
nation on an early ballot. He says
that he has 325 votes in sight, although
all will not be registered for him on the
first. On that ballot he looks for no less
than 275, some of his friends scatter
ing to other candidates, but he believes
he will have more than enough to NOM
mate him. He has taken the field
in person. Lewelling claims 260 votes
on the first ballot, and is apparently as
confident as Harris of success on
the second ballot. He preserves an
even temper, keeps out of rows and,
barring his unfortunate choice of a
few indiscreet friends, he is showing
good generalship.