The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-16
kEAI0N IS THE MIN
Whom Oklahoma RepubIi-
cans Have to Beat.
SEVENTY-F0URTH BALLOT
Required Ere Callahan Gets
His QuietuS,

Oklahoma City, o. T, July 15-tspeciaL)
in the joint convention Of Populists
Democrats and Free Silver Republicans
James R. Keaton at noon today received
the nomination for delegate 10 congress
on the seventy-fourth ballot
The convention had balloted from
O'Clock yesterday afternoon until S O'Clock
this morning with no indications that the
result would be materially changed, and
this morning the mass of the delegates
We're Of the opinion that The deadlock
would be Indefinitely maintained. The
Democrats, too, were made timorous by
the solid front maintained by the Popu-
lists, and clamored that KeatOn absO3ve
the delegats from thier instructions 20
vote for him, using the argument that
the Populists would make no concessions
under what they termed the gag rule of
the Democrats. Ed Drum. KeatOn's man
ager. remained firm, however. and prior
to the calling Of the convention to order
would not listen to the suggestions Of re-
moving the instructions for KeatOn. The
Populists had also gone over the situation
IN their caucus and the conclusion was
reached to stand pat. The tip had gone
forth, though, that an end 10 the deadlock
was in sight and just before the con-
vention was called TO order Chairman Bob
Neff informed the Eagle correspondent
that a candidate would be nominated be-
fore the O'Clock train went north this
afternoon. Ed Dunn was equally conf
dent his assurance eing based on the
pledges given to support KeatOn by eight
or ton Populist delegations, in return for
Democratic favors by which the Populists
are to be given additional representation
in the next Legislature. As was expected
all along, the Oklahoma county Popu-
list delegation precipitated the stampede
that resulted in Keaton's nomination.
The delegates looked tired and sleepy
after their aH-night vigil when they re-
assembled in joint convention this morn
ing, and on the first ballot taken, the
sixty-eighth, merely a languid interest
was manifested when the Washita coun-
ty delegation changed from Keaton to
'any good Democrat" The sixty-ninth
ballot gave Keaton 16S votes. Callihan III
and Forrest 4, and a buzz OF expectancy
ran through the hall when Keaton was
noticed making his way toward the stage.
Keaton had concluded to temporize with
the POpulists by making a public an
nouncenent Of his position in relation 70
the gag rule imposed upon his followers.
Addressing the convention, he said that
his attention had been called to the i'm
preston that prevailed among a large
Y.111o IN m
the Democratic side, and while he appre-
ciated most highly the confidence placed
In him by the Democrats In their loyal
support. he did not understand that this
support came from the pressure Of an
iron rule. He declared his love for the
principle suppressed in the Chicago plat
form Of 1896 and he wished to be regard
ed as a free silver candidate. and not
merely as q candidate of the Democrats.
He understood that the feeling that the
gag rule had been applied to his follow
ers was blocking the convention, and he
hoped that his friends would not allow
his personal candidacy 10 stand IN the
way of accomplishing the defeat of gold
bugism.
The result Of Keaton's explanation was
eagerly looked for IN the next ballot. the
SEVENTEEN. and his followers plainly
showed their disappointment that there
was no appreciable change in the vote,
the totals being: Keaton. 165; Callahan,
l69; Forrest. S; Moore. .. The seventy
first ballot was practically the same Cal
lahan losing fifteen votes. which did not
benefit Keaton. however. as they were
distributed promiscuously among impos-
sibiliues In this ballot the Kingfisher
Pop delegation sought to start a STAN
pede for JohINon. but the colonel quickly
squeIched the movement.
Even the seveuty-second ballot did ont
indicate the nearness Of the end OF "a
deadlock, although Callahan's losses con-
tinued. On this ballot the shifty Gar
field delegation changed It's nine votes to
Cromwell Logan deserted him with nine
votes, Grant SIX, Kingfsher nine. Lincoln
one. Noble five. Canadian seven. Potta-
watomie four. Woodward one. The vote
stood; Keaton. 169; Callahan, 10; Crom-
wei, is; Forrest. -; Moore. Is: Ray. {;
Johnson. 3; Garrison. ;. The Populists
moved to take y recess for dinner, but
We're voted down.
Kay county delegate moved that the
question Of selecting between Callahan
and Keaton as the free silver standard
bearer this fan be referred to the people
u select between I'm a primary election.
Several OF the PopuliStS made speeches
favoring the suggestion as in the line
OF their beloved Initiative and refer
endum." but the motion was laid on the
table by an overwhelming vote
Il was in the seventy-third ballot that
the stampede 10 Keaton was inauEurlt-
ed. There had been no pe-ceptble
change in his vote until Oklahoma coun-
~ was reached. and when Chairman
Griffith OF that delegation arose and ad-
dressed the chair it was instinctively felt
that il was for the purpose OF voting his
delegation for Kedton. in which case II
was dead sure thing that the Populist
goose was cooked 10 fare-you- well
Griffith said his delegation had stood by