The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-28
MUST HAVE TWO PLACES
The Expected" is About to
Happen, Alackaday.
The Democrats Are Going tC
Ask For Two Offices
On the State Ticket and Refuse to
Take No for an Answer.

At the meeting of the state central COM
mittee and the conference of PopuIists in
this city January 5 and it is
said that an effort will be made to decide
who of the present state officers viii be
sacrificed in order to give two places on
the state ticket to the Democrats
A few weeks ago the POpulists thought
the Democrats would agree to fusion and
the denomination of the present state
ticket But this opinion has been rudely
destroyed by the discovery that Bale
Waggener, John Atwood, David Overmyer.
A. NJ Jackson of Howard and other lead
ing Democrats, after considerable corre-
spOndence among the members Of the
party, have decided that the Democrats
must have recognition or they will refuse
to indOrse the state administration
John H. Atwood. who was one of the
most prominent men in the campaign last
year. is a Democratic leader. He is
close friend Of Bryan and was one of the
many Democrats who took an important
part in accomplishing fusion last year.
He said in Leavenworth a few days
ago:
IF the Democrats are not given two
places on the state ticket we viii refuse
to support the POpulist "ticI1et or cooper
ate with the party in any manner what
ever"
A letter written by Bale Waggener on
this subject has been exhibited One par
agraph to which particular attention was
directed says:
The PopuIist state ticket cannot be
elected without Democratic aid It was
a close fight last year and the Popu-
lists well know that if the Democratic
allies withdraw from their camp certain
defeat will overtake them. The Demo
Gratis will not accede to their demands for
an Endorsement of the state ticket We
must have recognition. and that recogni-
ton must consist of at least TWO places
on the state ticket
J Mack Love held long conference
with Taylor Riddle some weeks ago in
Topeka. at which it is said Love attempt
ed to demonstrate that without Dem
ocratic aid the Populists would accomp-
Hsh little Riddle shared this opinion
and expressed the opinion that fusion
must be effected. To which Mr.. Love re-
piled by saying:
Il am instructed by the Democrats to
say that we must be recognized on the
ticket which is to be nominated next
year
To this Mr.. Riddle made no definite re-
ply.
a few days ago Judge A NJ Jackson of
Howard said: The Populists want Us to
accept the support they gave US last year
in exchange for the support we gave them
last year and for that which they also de-
nand for this year. The Democrats Of
Kansas will submit to no such an ar
rangement. Without recognition there
will be no fusion. The Democratic party
in Kansas today has the power to wreck
the Populist aggregation. and unless the
leaders treat US fairly and honorably in
the distribution of official favors chey viii
themselves no longer enjoy the pleasure
of occupying Offices. in securing which
thew owe their success to the Democrats
These opinions. coming as they do from
the leaders of the Kansas Democracy in
dfcate that a war is likely to break out
between the ".Bourbons'' and the anxious /
ofdceholders. While they fight the Re
pubIfcans will win out.