The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-23
PETER AS A LINK
NAY BE USED TO UNITE FIGHTING
PoPULIST PENOIL-PUSHERS.

PoPULIST PENOIL-PUSHERS.
These Editors are Now In Session-A Big
Crowd at the Regular Meeting In MEM
phis and Sleepy Party Trying to Arise
City Leo Vincent Chairman at the Lat
ter PIAce-vandervoort Arises and Emits
Long, Miserable wail-who!e Thing
is Very ComicaI.
Washington, Feb. Ex-senator Butler,
chairman of the National party commit
tee, was asked today what he thought
would be the outcome of the two meet
ings of the reforms, one at Kansas City
and the other at Memphis, now in ses-
sion, which represents the two different
factions of the Peoples part. He said
that if the Populist editors who have
gone TO Kansas City had gone to Mem
pflis, there would not be the slightest
doubt about the ture Populists controll-
ing the Memphis meeting. He thought,
however, that VanderYoort would be
certain TO be defeated for reelection and
said that if a ture Populist was elected
president and a man who did not repre-
cent either of the extreme factions in
the party he felt sure that both elements
would come together on the same man
and have but one organization. He
said there were number of men upon
whom the elements could unite, but that
ne thought everything considered, PEI
fer was the best and most available
man for the position He said Senator
PETER owned one of the most inf1uen-
1ial papers in Kansas, and would give
his personal attention after the 4th of
March to editing this journal, the Tope-
ka Advocate. He added: "Mr. PETERS
election would certainly be acceptable to
the western Populists and every south
ern Populist except the few who want
ed Mckinley elected in the last election
would be perfectly satisfied with him."
ONLY FORTY KICKERS.
Kansas City, No, Feb. 22-The Popu-
list editors VINO refused to recognize the
authority of Paul Vandervoort in call
ing meeting Of the National Regorm
Press association at Memphis, Tenn,
met In the parlors of the Hotel Ashland
today for the purpose OF organizing
new association. The gathering, num-
boring forty, was the outcome OF a call
issued by Arthur Rozelle, secretary
treasurer of the National association,
and chairman of the Missouri State Peo-
pies party committee, for the purpose of
organizing and perpetuating real PEG
ple's Press association"
WHAT THE CONTEST IS.
The meeting was called TO order at
1:45 o'clock by Chairman Rozelle, who
made brief address He said:
Friends and Co-Workers Of the Re-
form Press: In calling this meeting to
order, and before proceeding with the
temporary organization, 1 deem 1t my
duty to acquaint those who are not IA
miliar with the situation, with the facts
leading up 10 this movement. 1t is not
my desire to say anything that may
lend to widen the differences that have
grown I'D between some of our editors,
or add to unharmonious conditions in
the party organization. On the contrary
L
may exist
"The most of you are femiliar with the
organization Of the National Reform
Press association, at Cincinnati, on the
10Th day OF May, 1891, at which time
the Peoples party was formed, which
organization has, unfortunately, declin-
ed in membership and interest until at
the present time not more than fifty of
the 1900 Populst editors of the United
States claim any connection with the
association, and not a dozen, if indeed,
enc Of these, is in good standing, with
dues fully paid, as requested by the
constitution.
THE reasons for this disorganized con
6ition are very generally known, and ii
IS hardly necessary TO engage in
lengthy discussion Of them at this time
However, for the benefit of those who
may be uniformed. 1 desire TO state,
that the work of disintegration began
~ Dallas, Texas. a year ago, when the
last president OF the organization was
Elected, since which time he has pursued
a'rule of ruin policy-endeavoring to de-
str0y those whom ne could not control
considerable portion of our editors in
open rebellion against the constituted
party authorities and by refusing TO con-
cur in the action Of the last National
convention, placed himself without the
pale of the party, and should be racog-
nized as bolter, If he was ever, inded,
a true Populist.
SNARLS LIKE A TIGER.
His recent action, in arbitrarily is
suing call for the meeting at Memphis
without having the secretary take a vote
of the executive board. as provided by
the constitution. is characteristic Of his
methods. and should not be tolerated by
any other reformer. If there were no 9th
CT reasons. this action alone would war
rant the reform editors OF the country
in making a vigorous protest, If not in
organizing a new association. II must
be very evident 10 those here assembled
that it is the intention of Mr.. Wander
vocrt and his friends to read out Of tae
party and keep out of the press associa-
ton. all Populists who supported Mr..
Bryan and an electoral fusion in the last
campaign. II this shall be their policy
IL is one that we should not concur
IN.
without attempting 10 forecast the
work OF this body OF editors. Will take
the liberty TO suggest that we confine
ourselves strictly 20 business and social
lines, doing only that which will tend
II harmonic all the reform elements.
l. should be our duty TO sustain and
strengthen the national committee. and
the regular party organization. rather
than lend encoura cement to the puny
efforts of disgruntled individuals 10 dis