The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-10-23

wears prior 10 the keaton nomlnaloni VINO
largely managed Callahan's campaign two
years ago. and earnestly urged that gen
7Ieman's claim for denomination at Okla
houa City, who was, untn a short time
ago, owner and editor OF the State Regis
ter, the territorial Populist organ; who,
more than any other man in Oklahoma, IS
responsible for the growth Of the Populist
party in this territory; who was elected
on the Keaton campaign committee, and
chairman OF the Logan county fusion COM
rnittee, has repudiated the whole fusion
gang
In this weeks State Register appears
his letter res.gning from the Keaton cam
palgn committee and the Craftsmanship Of
the Logan county fusion. committee. This
letter is full of startling truths. The quo
tation from Callahan's letters 10 him,
while the Populist delegate was in Wash
ington, show a deliberate Democratic plot
10 do W" Callahan and the free homes
bill. Callahan charges Democrats with
defeating the measure. Here is Rev. Law
erty's letter. as it appears in tn register:
THE LAVERTY LETTER
Honorable S. L. Johnson, Chairman, and
Honorable c. c. Hudson, Secretary, OF
the Keaton Campaign Executive Com
mittee, Oklahoma City.
Dear Sirs-Having already notified you
that I decline to serve on your campaign
committee, you will doubtless expect Of
this decision aid action.
First, and as a prelude TO said state
ment, allow me TO call your attention to
an editorial of mine in the State Regis
ter Of May q. 1898, entitled, "A Call Down."
which is as follows:
I'm the Norman Democratic Topic last
week appeared an editorial that is most
arrogant and Illogical, and yet with the
casual reader is apt TO be very misleading.
in speaking Of the Peoples party con-
vention at Emporia nominating or indors-
ing H S. arin, a Democrat. for congress
from hte Fourth Kansas district, the edi-
tor referred to makes a very labored effort
10 show that because the Peoples party
in the district favored giving this nomi-
nation to the Democrats, that, therefore,
the nominee for congress in Oklahoma
should be given TO the Democrats.
LET no one be deceived by any such
false reasoning and conclusions. In the
Kansas district referred to, the Peoples
party is ia the minority, in Oklahoma st
is the majority party by at least 1000. If
anyone doubts this just let the Democrats
put a third candidate in the field, and
they will most surely have the oppor-
sunity of testing the relative strength of
the respective parties in November next.
''Will our friends. the Democrats. please
show us single district in any state or
territory where the majority party has
thus given away to the minority?
I'VE do not think that such an instance
ran be shown, and of one thing we are
quite certain. and that is that the Peoples
party of Oklahoma is not going to be led
off into establishing a precedent of that
kind. or inc disturbing present conditions,
either in This territory or elsewhere If
these demands OF tbs few Democratic pa
pers and would-be candidates are persisted
.n IL will result in the probable defeat of
the Democrat in some such districts as the
Fourth district in Kansas and as similar
work did result in the defeat Of William J.
Bryan TWO years ago. Al 1.-THE Peoples
party IS contending for is fair treatment
end the enthronement of its party princi-
PIES. As TO the party and our people in
this territory. We believe that two months
Ego or less. or prior to the action Of the
Democrats in the state Of Idaho and the
action Of the Democratic committee at FL
Reno. they would have approved perfect
union Of all OF the reform forces OF the
80 an, ,1,- e
ciples. in opposition 10 the co,dbug Repub-
lean party. the enemy o fthe business in
terests and poor people Of the country.
But low. as We understand the situation
and the sentiment Of our people. neither
Mr.. Butler. our national chairman. nor the
people are willing 10 lay down our party
organization AZ present. So now # Il per-
feet union IF these forces is not effected
IN the territory Tor the next campaign the
Democrats VIII have TO one 20 blame but
themselves. We canot think. however. that
the great body of loyal Free Silver and
reform Democrats are going 70 allow their
party 10 be made a mere machine for
the promotion % a few wou,d-be candi-
dates for congress. As We have insisted
through these columns. time and aSain.
we were willing and are willing to leave
the question Of VINO shall he the candidate
for congress. and FOR every other Office.
with the primaries and conventions OF the
people. but not 10 any chairman nor con-
ference committee We are well aware of
the fact that there have been a very few
ho;heeds m our OWL party who have beer.
impatient and are disposed 10 censu~e the
territorial chairman because he has not
been loud in proc,aiming TO the enemy
what he and MS parry were gong 20 do.
Instead OF leaving these matters Of pubic
party policy with the people. and then he.
simply as party leader. execute and carry
out the VIII OF the majority.
He isn't disposed TO be tyrant and put
rings in their noses and lead them Ike 50
uaiy cattle for sale He does. however.
propose 20 hold on firmly 70 the party or
sanizat.on and machinery until the people
say 10 lay = down. and that we do not
think they viii demand until other parties
are willing % drop their name and unite on
our principles. Another thing that IS sure:
Democrats must show tina: they are willing
10 unite with Us on principles tina, We hold
b. common. and then stand true as steel
by that platform through all opposition
II these few wouid-be d.sorganize-s and
candidates are not willing 20 DO this. and
persist IN putting a third man in the race.
WE SHALL DEMAND WHY IT WAS
THAT THIS SAME FACTION DID SOME
LETTER WRITING TO SENATORS AND
CoNGRESSMEN. AND WORKED IN oP-