The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-08-06
KANSAS DEM0-POP FUSION.
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AP-
POINTED A COMMITTEE TO
CONFER WITH POPS.
THEY ASk FOR THE ELECTORS ONLY
If Given the Electors the Democrats Are
Willing to COncede to Populists the
Full State Ticket and Congress
man at Large.

Hutchinson, Kan, Aug. 4-The demo-
cratic state convention, which promises
to be one of the most important ever held
by that party in Kansas, was called to
order in the Auditorium at 10 o'clock
this morning by Frank Bacon, chairman
of the state committee, who introduced
$. NJ. Martin of Marion as temporary
chairman.
Mr.. Martin made Il strong speech
favoring fusion with all parties which
favor free silver.
David Overmeyer followed in a speech
for Il union of forces to defeat the repub-
leans.
Chairman Martin referred to the dem
ocratic victory in Alabama and the ref
erence brought forth prolonged cheers.
The secretary was instructed to extend
greetings and congratulations to Govern
or-elect Johnston of that state. after
which the following letter from w. J..
Bryan was read:
Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 3.-To Frank
Bacon. Chairman Democratic Central
Commttee-My Dear Sir: Your favor
of July 81, enclosing letter from oIessrs.
Barley & lswell of Hutchinson, Kan,
requesting me to speak in that city on
August 4, has been received. l regret
very much that the duties of the cam
paign which are pressing upon me render
1t impossible for me to do so. No ar
engagements for such speech can be
hn
outlined by the national committee, and
until that has been done | deem it wise
TO make no promise. Very truly yours,
wv. j. BRYAN"
After the appointment of the usual
committees Il recess until o'clock was
taken.
The delegates were tardy in gathering
for the afternoon session. 1t was 3:15
when the temporary chairman called the
delegates TO order.
Judge \. NJ. Jackson of Howard was
named for permanent chairman.
At the conclusion of Judge Jackson's
speech, which was an eulogy of the dem
ocratic party and plea for the fusion
of all free silver forces in Kansas, no
time was lost in getting at business. The
committees Oh platform and order of bus
platform reported unequivocally en-
dorses the Chicago platform, re-
asserts the demands of the Kan
sas democracy. for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to /,
lauds Bryan and Sewall as the true
champions of the peoples interest, and
in conclusion demands Il resubmissiOn of
the prohibition question to the people of
the state.
But it was in the report of the COM
mittee on rules and order of business
that interest conferred. To this commit
tee had been delegated by common CON
sent the work of planning and otfccting
a fusion with the populists, who meet at
Abilene tomorrow. The committee re-
ported to the convention that it should
select its presidential electors, though not
formally nominating them, and mat Il
special committee of five should be APP
pointed to wait on the populists at Abb
lene and effect fusion of the 'wo par
ties i'll Kansas. In Il word the report
agrees to surrender everything but the
electors to the populists. and endorse the
state ticket nominated by the populstS,
including Il congressman at large, for Il
return i'll the endorsement of Bryan and
Sewall The committee adopted the
plan by reclamation. There were Il few
delegates who wanted democratic rep
resentation on the state ticket. but the
vote was in small minority. The con-
ventiOn proceeded to carry out these
recommendations. and selected the fol-
lowing to be subsequently nominated for
presidential electors: Sidney Dayton,
Holton; J. G. Gordon. w. Ii. Linston,
Cherryville; Il. NJ. Blackshear, Elm
wood; G. A. Hillock, Salina; J. Il. Lo-
gan, Lincoln; b. ]. ROetzel, ElmwoOd;
NJ. G. Liggett, Pittsburg; Albert Her
rick, Troy; George Il. Hits Yelling
ton.
Judge johnson, the democratic nation
al committeeman for Kansas, vas Sc
lected to head the delegation of ambas-
sailors to the populist convention at Abb
lene The other members of the COM
mittee were ex-senator John Martin. w.
b. billiard, j. H. Atwood and w. $.
Glass.
Immediately after this committee had
been named the convention adjourned I'M
til o'clock tomorrow afternoon to await
their report. The committee, left to-
night for Abilene.
In an interview Chairman Johnson said
he had no doubt satisfactory arrange
ments for fusion could be made. The
democratic leaders are not Il little dis
turbed, however, by Il rumor that part of
the electors shall be pledged to vote for
Watson if the populists should poll the
largest vote, and for Sewall if the demo-
Gratis should lead. The democrats will
not agree to this, and if the populsts
hold out full democratic ticket will be
put in the field.