Evening star., 1898-10-17
HAS RUN ITS COURSE
Apparent Decline Of Populism in the
West.
RETURNING TO THE REPUBLICANS
People Supporting the Policy Of
the Administration.
FREE SILVER IS IGNORED
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
LINCOLN. Neb., October 13, 1ss

Srcciai Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
LINCOLN. Neb., October 13 1898.
Populism seems to have run its course in
the west. At least this must be the inevi-
table conclusion. judging from the usual
weathercocks of political conditions in Ok
iahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, where pop
ulsm has had its stronghold. Democracy
and populism have been thoroughly fused
in the middle western states. but the cam
diGates for offices on the fusion tickets are
certainly running on such shiftless and
changeable platforms that the most en-
thusiastic popuists and democrats are he
coming bewildered. Contrary to the nat
ural supposition of eastern people, the sill
yer question is not entering into the pres
ent campaign in this section of the coun-
try. where two years ago it was the issue
on which the whole battle was fought. The
leading democratic and populist newspa-
porS are totally ignoring any mention of
free coinage of silver at the ratio of l6 to =
Like the candidates themselves. they
Nacitate wCefully on tha question OF eX
pansion Their ammunition of past cam
paigns-that of charging hard times to the
characterization of Slver-has been exploded
by the return of prosperity to the farmers
and mechanics in the west. The people
are unquestionably in favor of expansion
on the principle that Spain's possessions
should be kept by this country to at least
pay the cost of the war. The hard times
winch every popu!ist and democrat de-
clared. and which he had been led to be-
HeVe, would surely return in case the ma
tional administration were republican, have
been replaced by the best business prosper
ity ever enjoyed in this section of the
country. making false all the prophecie
OF the leaders of the ponuliSts. This may
be held as the reason why, thus far in the
campaign. every meeting advertised by the
populist candidates in Oklahoma Kansas
and Nebraska with scarcely a single ex-
ception, has resulted in such a manner as
to cause CONSERVATION among the party
leaders. Meeting after meeting has been a
froSt with more empty seats than filled
cneS-a condition never known before by
any party in any campaign in this section
Republican Meetings Crowded.
Republican meetings. on the contrary are
being crowded Populists attend the meet
ings-a thing that would have been treason
two years ago-and In many counties here
tof9re leading populists have declared
themselves as disgusted with the campaign
their party leaders are attempting to force
upon them. y large portion of the pop
ulist party has been composed of men who
LEFT the republican party, many of them old
soldiers. The policy of the fusion leaders
IN attacking the national administra tion
for the manner in which the war was con-
Quoted has resulted in driving nearly every
one of the Old soldiers back into the re-
publiCd! party, "1trt CheN are working
now for the success of the ticket this fall.
At the soldiers reunion of Kansas at
Concordia October Senator PETER who
has been the recognized leader OF populism
in Kansas made a stirring speech in favor
of uphOlding the hands of the President
against the malicious and ''treasonous at
tackS on the administration" He declared
that policy that had made the entire coun-
try so prosperous should be indorsed by the
people and partisan malice obliterated in
the interest of prosperity and patriotism.
In Oklahoma the republicans are confident
that Dennis Flynn VIII be returned to Con-
gresS. and Heaton, the fusion candidate
be defeated. The territory is prosperous
the planters having received good prices
for their products and the cattlemen get
,Ing better prices for cattle than ever be-
fore. The tariff there has kept Mexican
cattle from coming into competition with
the native products. In Beaver county
there are now 100000 sheep. as against
1000 sheep while the Wilson law was in
effect, and 10000 sheep under Harrsons
administration. And sheep there are now
selling at from s. to IS per head. against
30 cents and 81 D per head under the Will
son law,
While the fuslOnists have been unable to
get large audiences, the republicans have
had the largest meetings In the history of
the territory. Mr. Webster Davis, assistant
secretary of the interior, spoke to 5000 per
at Enid, 900 at FL Reno 5000 at
Oklahoma City and 5000 at Guthrie in two
days, and men who have been strong pop
proval which were elected by his presenta-
ton of the accomplishments Of this admin
istration. Flynn Is sanguine of success de-
spite the fusion of the democrats and popu-
lists
The Outlook in Kansas.
in Kansas the populists have almost con-
ceded that Leedy will be defeated for gov
ernor. Not one of the pledges of the popu-
list candidates two years ago has been kept
nv admins ra instead
there has been such fee-grabbing and in
competency on the part of the popuiist Of
flee holders as to bring them into disgrace
in the eyes of the well-meaning populists.
Stanley, the republican candidate for gov
ernor, Is making vigorous campaign. His
clean record and unassailable character is
such that Leedy's managers have almost
given up the last vestige of hope for his re-
election.
The eyes of the state are however, GEN.
tered upon the campaign In the big seventh
congressional district, where Jerry Simp
son and Chester !. Long are having their
fourth contest. Each has been in Congress
and each has campaigned the district
often that every voter knows them per-
sonally. The republicans have sprung
Simpsons record during the discussion of
the war measures and are prosecuting a
most vigorous campaign. Simpson has
made speeches during this campaign on the
question of expansion wholly adverse to
each other, and has had poor audiences,
but the campaign is recognized as a pecu-
liar one. Simpson has attempted to defend
his record in Congress, while the people in
the district are unquestionably in favor of
indorsing the policy of the President in his
dealings with Spain but among the farmers
in the short grass section of the dis
trict it IS recognized by the republicans
that he has a strong formidable following
of personal friends
The republican meetings in this district
have all been largely attended, and in every
county there are many instances of popu-
lists who have repudiated Simpsons at
tempt to ride two sides of the present ma
tional issues. Long and his friends are
confident of success.
Charles Curtis. republican, is regarded as
certain to be returned to Congress from
the first district.
Calderhead, in the third district, is max
ing a strong campaign against Vincent
populist and from a poll which has been
made of his district is regarded as certain
of success. Bowersock. in the second dis
trict, is regarded as sure of defeating Pc
ters, populist.
Webster Davis made thirteen speeches in
Kansas, each one packed, his closing
in ('itV