Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-30
OPPOSITION TO HIS RENOMINATI0N
HAS COLLAPSED.
RADICAL CHANGE LAST WEEK
STATE OFFICERS WHO HAVE
FOUGHT LEEDY ARE UNEASY.
Fear the Governor, Now That He Ii In
Control, Will Make Them Sweat
for Their OppositiOn-How
Breidenthal Gets Out

TOPEKA. May ca.-(Special.) There has
been a radical change in the Populist polit-
ical situation In Kansas during the past
week in favor of Governor Leedy, and his
denomination now seems assured. One
week ago the anti-Leedyites had every
thing coming their way and predicted that
the governors name would not be placed
before the Topeka convention. The situa-
ton was such that they had reasons for
entertaining that belief. But the admins
tration forces commenced bombarding the
opposition's strongholds, and it has had
telling effect. When Crawford county
elected a Leedy delegation yesterday, the
backbone Of the opposition was broken. and
while 1t may do some squirming and kick
ing, yet it must expire sooner or later.
Leedy has turned the tide In his own party
and 1t can never be checked in time to pre-
vent his nomination.
The anti-Leedyites felt certain that they
would get Crawford and Cherokee coun-
ties. In this event. they asserted that even
the governors intimate friends would see
the folly of forcing his nomination II they
could. But Crawford went back on them
and now they will be surprised If Cherokee
sends an anti-Leedy delegation to the
state convention.
With the certainty Of Leedy's nomination
staring them in the face. the other state
officers who have secretly been lending the
opposition encouragement are singing low.
They are getting nervous themselves. They
fear that the governor will now give them
a touch Of high life and set them aside for
other running mates on the state ticket.
While they will not probably jump onto the
Leedy band wagon, yet they will not be
heard to utter any anti-Leedy sentiment
from now until convention time.
There was talk among them a short time
ago of issuing a signed manifesto at the
proper time serving notice that If Leedy
were renominated they would not permit
their names to go before the state con-
vention at all. They were to say In the
manifesto that Leedy would carry the par
| ty to certain defeat, and they did not care
| to be led to the slaughter pen by him. This.
of course, was to be done when Crawford.
Cherokee and few other big Pop counties
had selected anti-Leedy delegates. It was
| to be the trump card played to make
Leedy's defeat for a denomination certain.
| That deal has been declared OF. Governor
| Leedy heard of the scheme and he had his
workers in various parts Of the state cir
| culate- the report promiscuously to work
| up sympathy for the old man.
| Leedy will be renominated. but not by
| acclamation. It will come on the first bal
| lot A motion to make 1t unanimous VIII
l not carry. IneFe WILL Oc d AoAAUSA "a NSAS
| cations that will walk out of the con-
| yertton rather than make it unanimous.
! Shawnee county's delegation has already
| been polled on that question, and not q
1 single delegate will vote for such motion:
| The Leedy managers understand this, ano
they may not permit such . motion to be
The governors friends, although In a
position to make the bones OF the other
\ state officers rattle. will probably not car
| ~ the war into Africa. II 1t Is found alb
| solutely necessary to make room Tor more
than one Democrat one or two Of them
| NAV be set aside but the administration is
figuring on capturing the Democrats by
giving them the lieutenant governorship
The other Pop officials must be good
though, or they will be dumped.
John Breidenthal has all along contendeG
that Leedy would be renominated. He says
that the opposition to Leedy partakeS OF
the nature Of the opposition In the Repub
lican party two years ago to Morrill,. ane
that it will dwindle away as that did a
the Shawnee delegation. which was In
structed against Leedy.. but he will mo-
vote against Leedy. Neither will he vote
for him. He will not be present at thu
The Populist national committee meet.
| at Omaha on the day the state Populis
| convention is held here. Breidenthai, there
fore has q good excuse to leave kansa!
then, and he is glad of 1t. He declares tina
| some matters will come up at the nationa
committee meeting Of more interest to hin
| than the Pop state convention. He want!
| to be there to take hand in the discus
| sions, George Clark will probably be ap
| pointed his alternate and will be bound b.
no orders whatever from Breidenthal.