Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-18
Democrats Will Beat Fusion.

the same. 1t gives the best reason
for its action we have ever read, says
the Kansas City Gazette, justlfylng
any movement in politics. The edi-
tor Of the Gazette once read paper
before Republican editors, urging a
trust among newspapermen along
party lines. When the Democratic
party in Kansas polled 10000 votes
the schemers, jobbers and ringsters
Of the party fixed up fusion with . lot
Of hungry, disappointed and soured
Repub licsns, and the Democratic
newspapers have been out in the cold,
content for years with the husks
thrown away by those kicked out Of
the Republican party. The editor Of
the Democrat says:
"In the first place, Dave Overmyer
knows that it is absolutely necessary
for the Democratic press Of the State
to have Democratic party. 1t Is q
struggle for the Democratic press OF
Kansas to live anyhow, and with the
party organization gone it is only a
matter Of time when the party press
will have to abandon the field. The
Democratic editors cannot advocate
the socialistic principles Of the Popu.
lists, which are in direct opposition
to the teachings Of Democracy. With
the Democratic party swallowed up
by the Pops, the press is simply dy.
ing by slow degrees. This is an his
torical fact. A few years ago there
were 100 bright and up-to-date Dem
ocratic papers in the State. Today
there are fewer than fifty. Can the
Democratic editors be blamed for
wanting a reorganization Of the Dem
ocratic partyP"
Another Democratic editor, c. N.
Mcintyre Of Arkansas City, a real
genuine stock necktie plug hat, old.
fashioned moss back Democrat, also
comes out for the Republican ticket.
He edits the Traders Exchange at
Arkansas City. Asked why be left
the Democratic party he says:
There is no Democratic party in
Kansas to leave. Ten years ago the
Democrats had an organization and
polled the full strength Of the party
at each annual election.
ITO the inaction Of the rank and
file and the greed Of the boosters we
have sacrificed the principles Of the
party and battered its name on the
sacrifcial altar Of fusion. No less a
parsonage than Grover Cleveland
himself urged fusion with the Pops
when he was candidate in 1892.
When scores and hundreds OF us
counselled against the sell out for
peli for a few Office seekers, we were
told Just this one time; there will be
no more fusion We believed them
then, and humbled ourselves In the
dust before Weaver, Lewelling and
Dick Chase, and each succeeding year
we have been told just this one time,
with similar results. For nearly
seventeen years have been advocat-
ing Democratic principles and other
so-called Democrats have been reap.
ing rewards through fusion with a
party which is at enmity with the
State and notion"
Mr.. Mclntire says that in view Of
results he has concluded that "the free
coinage Of the silver Of the world In
American minis at the ratio OF l6 to
! was an inexplicable nightmare,
and that he was wrong and the Re.
publicans were right. And he adds:
"Oilicial statistics show an increas.
ed number Of employees, with better
wages under the Dingley bill, and have
men that American capital
and American labor thrive best under
a protective tariff, therefore | am in
perfect harmony with the Republican
platform on these two important sub
jects."
Add Barney Sheridan and this
makes three Of the most conspicuous
Democratic editors OF the State who
are determined that fusion shall die,
and give way to reorganized Democ.
racy. There will be more.