The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1898-06-24
TIE sTATF COFVENTTOF.


The peoples party state convention
convened in Hamilton hall, Topeka,
Wednesday June u, at IL a. m, and
adjourned at s. P. "a. on Thursday. 1t
was a large convention, and, with the
spectators, filed the large hall to its
utmost capacity. There was only one
county delegation, and that from the
extreme western part Of the state, that
failed to respond to the roll call.
The opposition papers called the
convention a "Wild and wOOlly" one,
but the truth is that it was an enthusi-
astic and courageous state convention
Of intelligent and patriotic American
citizens. There were no speakers from
abroad, but there was plenty Of elO-
quence. Kansas does not have to i'm
port speakers. 1t raises them "On the
sod"
Among those called to address the
convention were Webb McNal Of in
surance war fame. Webb is trump
and he made a telling talk. @. c. Glenn
mems, the brilliant Topeka lawyer,
gave the convention a glimpse of his
brilliant and powerful OratOry. Mr..
Fleharty made a brief but fOrcible
talk. After and accepting the nOmi-
nation for the different offices the
candidates addressed the convention
Gov. Leedy's speech was a fOrceful
one delivered in an finland and de-
iberate manner, while that of Attorney
General Boyle was more passionate in
its style Of OratOTy and glistened like
a polished Damascus blade. The other
state officers made good speeches.
The platform, finally adopted by the
convention after a heated debate which
lasted the better part Of two days, IS a
good one. It was adopted by sections.
after a spirited and prOtracted debate.
The sections that caused the greatest
amount Of discussion we're the stock
yards resolution, the insurance resOlU-
ton and the one demanding the i'm
mediate abolition Of the metropolitan
police law At several points in the
debate on the latter proposition, the
convention performed like bucking
OrOnchO IN an unusually bad fit of
sulks- The chairman raped for order
without any immediate prospect Of
success, and finally resOrted to a ruse
to restore order.
Notwithstanding the sharpness of
debate, at no time was the convention
IN bad hUmOr and no animOsities were
engendered. It was simply a matter
Of a difference Of opinion by honest
men intensely in earnest. The forensic
ability displayed in the debate, and
~
parliamentary tactics was surprising.
The final adoption of the resolution to
Immediately suspend the operation of
the obnoxious law by executive proc
IamatiOn and asking the repeal Of the
law by the next legislature was a dem
OnStaatiOn Of moral stamina that was
refreshing. The governor was report
ed as opposed to the measure in the
midst of the campaign, asst would let out
OF Office 600 pOpulist appOintees. ut is
not good policy" was answered sit is
right" and it was done.
The free silver republicans were II
session at the state house and the dem
ocrats at AtchisOn. Conference com
mittees were appointed and joint meet
ings with these different bodies were
held to ascertain their wishes and to
secure their cooperation in the COM
ing campaign. The silver republicans
asked no place on the ticket and nom
mated the present state officers. But
the democrats asked for lieutenant
secretary of state and some
other place on the ticket. There was
an ail-night conference on the subject,
but no satisfactory agreement was
reached. The POpulists were willing
to give them lieutenant governor, but
did not see how they could accede to
the further demand without pulling
of the present incumbents, which was
a very delicate matter and difficult of
successful accomplishment. The dem
Ocratic conference committee report
ed the situation to their convention
and that body declined to accept the
office OF lieutenant governor, but nom
mated the entire present pOpulist state
ticket
With all its mistakes, and it will not
be denied by the closest friends of !
the governor that there have been a |
the present state admiuistra- |
ton Is the best one IN the history of |
he state, and has saved for the people /
# Kansas over S2jOOOO The work Of /
Webb McNaIl and Attorney General /
Boyle, not only for the present time /
Iut for all time to come, is simply in |
'alculabie- The school book law, the I
stock yards law, the scrip and screen !
Nv have accomplish much for the \
7eOple- OF Kansas and promise more. /
he board Of railroad commissioners /
have also done good work.
To even casual observer, it was evi- h
lent that the peoples party state con-
-entiOn was not controlled by any DO 4
Itlcal ring, that it would brook no
lOSS and stand no trifling; that it had /
he courage of its convictions, that it
NEW Its rights and knowing dared to i
them The convention was
gorgeous. conscientious, consistent.
and patriotic. It was like
)avy Crockett who said. "Be sure
-ou are rigth, and then go ahead