People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1897-09-09
To the Public.

over and all that | claim the honor
for uyselfi is a reputation as po-
lltical prophet as shown by my
published statement on June 9th. |
told Mr. Fuller that if we agreed to
the Democratic proposition for
delegate convention that no Populist
would be nominated. This prophecy
has been fulfilled. When saw the
call issued in this county by Ivan
Rogers | said that it would be
democratic convention. This proph-
esy has been fulfilled. prophesied
that the county convention Of Cow
ley county would pass resolution
instructing their delegates to vote as
a unit. This prophesy was fulfilled.
[ predicted that Cowley county,
under the delegate system, would
dictate the nomination. 1t was the
votes of Cowley county that enabled
the convention to adopt the rule
providing that a minority might
make nomination, thereby fulfill
ing another prophesy.
Foreseeing the inevitable result
that would follow if the delegate
convention was adhered to, | used
every effort 10 overthrow it, and
never, for moment, recognized it
nor submitted my claims 10 it. |
made only one mistake. l supposed
when the Attorney General gave his
opinion, as he did, that such a con-
vention as was proposed could not
be legally held, that he would ad.
here 20 his opinion. In this instance
alone was l mistaken. Had the At.
tOrney General adhered to his opin-
lou another convention would have
been called and under such condi-
tons that | could have submitted
my claims and been fairly treated.
When | was called down bv the
chairman Of the recent convention,
/ was going to explain that l was
not candidate before the conven-
ton, but that | would submit to the
convention the names of ten men
who, if elected, would attend the iu-
dicial convention and make an eff
fort to adjourn it and recommend a
different plan for making a uomina-
ton, but this the chairman did not
permit me to do.
| must mention another matter:
As is always the case in campaigns,
false reports are set ahoat touching
the character of candidates. In my
case, a certain reckless person has
circulated the report that would
not pay my debts. | intend to put
a stop 10 this SANDER if it takes a
lifetime. Since 1901 have reduced
my indebtedness $4,000, and had it
not been that | recently had to pay
several hundred dollars for surgical
and medical services for my tAmiy,
| would not to-day owe any man
dollar of unsecured Indebtedness. !
have for years paid to my creditors
every dollar Of my earnings above
actual expenses. If any friend de-
sizes to verify the above statement |
have the vouchers to show that the
statement is true.
But what OF the future? A mum
Der Of petitions have been circulated
and numerously signed by my friends
asking that my name be placed upon
the official ballot, and that make a
contest without regard to the result
of the convention. The action
OF the authorities who passed
upon the objection filed by me with
the Secretary of State, in deciding
that Mr.. McBride'S name should 90
upon the official ballot as the Popu-
list and Democratic nominee, makes
1t impossible for me to be elected if
| should be candidate. My candi-
dacy, under such conditions, would
only tend TO strengthen the Repubh-
can party in this district, and this !
cannot consentto do. have known
Mir. W. 7. Mcbride intimately ever
since We came to Kansas. From
che first day that his name was men
toned till now, I've said that if l
was not 10 be successful that | was
for Mcbride. Knowing him to be a
splendid lawyer, man whose SYM
p&thi.S are with the masses, and vet
with sufficient decision of character
TO be able to observe precedents and
apply the law to every case, feel it
to be my duty, as it is my pleasure,
TO do all in my power to secure his
election. Regarding the charge made
ia my objection to placing his name
on the official ballot, upon the
grounds that McConn had been
promised the position of official
stenosraper, | wish to say that it did
not originate with me, and l knew
that if it was not true, the quicker it
was disposed of the better for all
concerned. Mr.. Mcbride denies
the story and his denial is satisfac-
tory to me, and should be satisfac.
tory to every person.
In rendering my services 10 Mr..
Mcbride, | do not wish to express
any opinion upon the merits or de.
merits of the campaign lust ended,