Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1897-02-17

There are two meetings called for
the Reform Press. Paul VanDervoort,
the president has called one at Mem
phis, Tenn, Feb -, 1897, and A. Ro-
zelle, secretary, has called the other
for the same date at Kansas City. The
causes of these calls date back some
time. Since the organization of the
organization in Ocala in 1890, the meet
ings have alternated, north and south.
The meeting last year being at Dallas,
Tex, it was expected that, of course,
this year it would be called to meet in
northern city Ignoring precedent,
for reasons perhaps known 20 himself,
Mr.. VanDervoort has sent it south
again. He has sent it as far as he
could conveniently get it from s Da-
lota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado,
Iowa and Minnesota. He has gotten it
as close to Georgia, Mississippi, Ala
bama, Arkansas and Texas as it was
possible. The greater part of the
membership are in the former states
and much the smaller part in the lat
ter, except Texsas which has strong
membership. Mr. Rozelle could see
the cause for so placing the meeting
(as can anyone with half an eye,) and
took offense at the action of Mr. Van
Dervoort. He wrote all over the country
and secured names for an opposition
call for the same time and at Kansas
City. This is most unwise and in iu-
dicious move ON his part. 1t looks as
II he was determined to ruin what he
feared he could not control. He should
have aided in securing the attendance
of all editors at Memphis and there in
executive session ''clean house" and
keep the details away from the op-
position press. But he has chosen the
other way, and must take the conse-
quenccs when they COM.
The Nonformist was asked to go to
the Kansas City meeting, but declined
In letter, showing the folly of such a
ceause. The breach is made, now there
is no way OF healing it, except the com
plete retirement of both these men.
The Rozellc people will say of Mr. Van
Dervoort, that lac has held Office in
Omaha two years by virtue of an APP
pointment by two republican mem bers
OF board OF I'ree, the third of which
was Gov. Hoscomb, a populist govern
or who refused 10 recognize Mr.. Van
Dervoort until compelled to do so by
the supreme court of Nebraska. On
the other hand, the Van Dervo oort peo-
pie will say of Rozelle that he sought
and holds Office at the hands of a dem
ocratic gOvernor-Stevens of Missouri.
And the worst of it is that both will
tell the truth. The Van Dervoort peo-
pie will call all of the Rozelle people
democrats and Rozelle people will
retort that the Van Dervoort people are
"Hannaized." elimination and recrim-
ination will be the order of the day
and the breach will not heal while
either of these men are at the head OF
the organization
But the worst is not yet told. On
Monday morning the press dispatches
announced that Mr.. Edgerton has urg-
ed Mr.. Butler to call National Popu-
list Conference at Kansas City on Feb.
%. If this is done, it will be construed
in advance by the entire country as an
endorsement 10y Chairman Butler of
the irregular Rozelle meeting No
amount of explaining will relieve it of
suspicion. On the other hand Mr..
VanDervoort has assumed to call and
has issued his call for general popu-
list conference at Memphis. Where
did he get authority to issue such a
call? The NonConformist believes in
Organization" aud this unauthorized
"call" by Mr.. nDervoort should meet
the same freezing reception that Mr..
Coxey met when he convened" the
delegates from the United States in a
bed room" at ST Louis. The Noncon-
formist will insist on the permanent re-
tirement of both these elements of dis
cord and in this insistance we are sure
TO have the cordial support of all SEN
sible, conservative and thoughtful peo.
le.-Nonconformist
The Strike vs.. Politics.
Uncle Sam rises to catch the 'Ssnea L.