The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-11-25
WAR ON LEWELLING
CHAIRMAN PRUDENTIAL WALKS
OUT OF A PARTY CONFERENCE.

He Makes Aliusicns to Hh Enemies In .
Way That Indicates Clash of Factions
1t is Thought That His Action Was a
Fresh Declaration of War on What ID
Termed the Lew cling Outfit-He De-
clines to Take Part In the Distribution
of Pie - Wreck of the Pop Party ID
Prophesied.
Topeka, Kan, Nov. PA genuine
sensation was sprung here last night
when Chairman john Breidenthal, of the
Populist state central committee, refused
10 participate in the conference or the
Populist officers-elect and the state COM
rlitteemen and withdrew from the room.
This indicates that the old fight between
the two factions of that party which has
been smouldering for the past four
months has broken out afresh, and that
il will be waged with more vigor than
ever.
The conference was held at the Nation
al hotel last evening, and all of the state
officers and congressnen-eiect were IN
attendance The members of the Pop
uiist state central committee were also
present. The meeting was called 10 or
der by Chairman Breidenthal and he re-
ouested that a chairman of the meeting
be chosen.
What's the matter with your serv-
ing?" was asked by several.
Il cannot do it, was the reply, "for
reasons which / will give later"
The members Of the conference took
him at his word, and James VI. Allen Of
Erie, was chosen 10 fill the chair. Chair
man Breidentnal then arose and drew
from his pocket end read two pages OF
dypewritten matter which proved to be
hot stuff. Mr.. Breidenthal first told Of
the object of calling the conference. He
said that the members We're called TO-
gether to discuss the policy pursued by
the party in the future with reference to
legislation and anti-Republican forces.
which contributed 10 the success of the
Popuise ticket at the recent election. He
said that the impression had gone out
how ne did not know-that the confer
ence was called to dish out pie, and as
consequence g. vast number of man had
come here to press their claims. He said
that he regretted this feature. Then he
sprung the sensation Of the evening. tie
said:
Il have learned today that Ihave been
attempting to dictate all the appoint
ments under the incoming adninistra-
sion l am accused of discriminating
against a crowd that has always op-
posed me, in the distribution of Offices.
] want to say right here and now that
there is absolutely no truth in this
charge. have tried to dictate to nobody;
have not even recommended ANYBODY for a
place. l desire ali officials-elect totally
TO discharge any application based on a
claim on my friendship, or any one who
says I am backing him. Inasmuch as it
is the general opinion erong those look
ing for Office that something will be done
tonight towards the distribution of the
same, and in order that my accusers
may not say that l run this conference,
desire TO withdraw from the ROOM
This came like a clap of thunder 10
the members present, and before they
could get their bearings the state cair-
man had opened the door and left. There
was very little business transacted. The
action OF Breidenthal was the chief topic
of conversation.
Breidenthaf spent the evening ming
ling with the place hunters in the lobby.
He was kept busy shaking hands, for
there were'a thousand and one Office
seekers present from all points of the
compass who wanted to give him the
glad hand.
1.-THE fight is on in dead earnest" said
a prominent Populist last night. Lew
cling and his crowd have been spelling
for trouble, and they will get it now-all
they want, too. They are quite powerful
and the fight will be a hard one and
may wreck the party, but it can't be
helped. 1t will be a war of eXtermina-
tion.''
Leweliing and a number of his old Of
ffice-holders were at the hotel scatter
ing poison" They attempted to do their
work secretly, but were discovered early
in the game. The real cause of the re-
newai of hostilties is said to be LEVEL
ing'S jealousy on account of the promi-
nent mention which Breidenthal is re-
ceiving as a sesational possibility. Mr..
Breidenthal refused to talk much con-
corning the affair. He said that his
withdrawal from the conference was rot
due to any friction among those In at
tendance. He just pulled out so that il
could not be charged that he was die
tating in any way to the officers-elect.
Besides all of the state and congress-
ional officers-elect. the following mem
bers of the state committee attended the
conference: First district. ]. Lee Simp-
son and Grant W. Harrington: Second
district, Chris Ritter and II. S. Clark;
Third district, j. II. Allen and c. D.
Arnold: Fourth district, W. T. Upton
and Taylor Riddle; Fifth district, D. E.
Ballard and p. II. Dolan; Sixth district
Z. c. Johnson and c. NJ. Ross; Seventh
district, Rufe Cone and z. J. Westgate
About thirty-five POpuiist senators
and repreSentatives-elect drifted into the
city yesterday from various parts Of the
state, with view to receiving an invita-
ton to participate in the conference of
big guns. They were not on the list and
were barred.
AS conferences were all the fashion.
they got together and had little one of
their own. The only thing done was the
appointment of COMMITTEES to call an
other conference on the Friday preced-
sng the inaugural. At this meeting il is
proposed 10 map out line of work for