The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-14
FUSION rs COMPLETE.
Populist Chairman Taylor Riddle
Foresees Great Victory for
the Allied Forces.

Taylor Riddle, the newly elected
chairman of the Populist state central
committee of Kansas, was in Kansas
meeting of the Kansas live stock SAM
tary commission, of which he is a mem
Der.
to a reporter for a Kansas City paper,
where it is necessary, there is fusion
of the PopuliSt party, the Democrats
and the Free Silver Republicans. And
where there isn't need of fusion, there
is a thorough understanding and there
will be only one ticket in the field 80
that it will mean practically fusion
victory. 1 can cite Woodson, Brown,
Marion, Allen, COffey, Wilson, Green
wood, Lyons and host of other coun-
ties.
II have recently been well over the
western, northern, eastern and south
eastern portions of the state and find
a thorough sentiment for fusion every
where. There will be less trouble from
any or all standpoints to effect it than
ever before. The policies of the Popu-
lists and the Democrats and the Free
Silver Republicans have become SO
nearly the same that a pull together is
bound to result.
IF nothing unforeseen happens, there
will be largely increased fusion ma
jority in Kansas in 1893
1.-The plan of fusion is based in the
various counties where it will be car
ried out on the strength of the intend
ent parties. Each party gets its quota
of candidates on the combination ticket
according to the number of votes it has.
This plan is eminently satisfactory. In
my county-Marion-the Free Silver
Republicans were given two men on the
county ticket.
1.-The administration of Governor
Leedy and the present state officers has
been most SatiSfactOry-not only to all
Populists but to the Democrats almost
to a man. There has been no, or at
least very little complaint, even from
Republicans. The present adminiStra-
ton has been more satisfactory to all
the people of Kansas, regardless of
party, than any other the state has
ever had.
II regard the unanimous renomina-
ton of Governor Leedy and the entire
present administration as absolutely
certain. There may be some opposition,
there always is, but it will be so weak
that it will not make itself felt.
1.-The attitude of Governor Leedy and
Attorney General Boyle in the Judge
Williams matter is Endorsed by every
Democrat, every Populist and 40 per
cent of the Republicans in the state.
1.-The letter of G. c. Clemens suggest
ing lines for the amalgamatiOn of re-
form forces, meets with hearty APPROX
al, and the state central committee will
very shortly take some action looking
to the advancement of his plan. The
encrOachmentS of the federal courts
upon the rights of the people are begin
ming to be recognized as an issue in
politics, and within ten days the COM
mittee will take some action looking to
a cooperation of the reform parties of
the several states for the Endorsement of
the position taken by Governor Leedy
and Attorney General Boyle as against
Judge Williams.
THE position of the administration in
the stock yards matter, too, has met
with general approval. There is not a
man in Kansas, no matter to what par
ty he belongs, who has an ear of corn to
sell or a COW for the market but ap-
plauds it,
In regard to my detailed plans for
the administration of my office as
chairman of the state central commit
tee l have little to say at present.
recognize that any man who takes John
BreidenthaPs place at the head and in
the hearts of the party and endeavors
to improve on his methods has an i'm
menSe job before him.
Mr.. Riddle was a Republican till 1892
when he became a Populist. He was
one of the first in the state of Kansas
to speak for fusion.