Kansas City journal., 1898-03-13
WHY STEPHENS WAS IGNORED
WILL SCARRITT REyENGES HIM.
SELF ON THE ADMINISTRATION.
Secret of the Refusal of Democratic
City Convention to IndOrse Gov.
Stephens Leaks Out-GreEory
an Unwilling Party to 1t.

The very wordy platform adopted by the
Democratic city convention last week, with
planks covering nearly all of the woes from
which the party alleges humanity suffers.
had no reference whatever to the state ad-
ministration over which Mrs. Stephens and
her husband have been presiding for the
past year. There has been much discussion
because of the omission. The representa-
tiyes of the governor here were somewhat
dismayed at the affront-for that is the
light in which it is considered-and have
been at work trying to locate the blame for
the failure to even mention the admins
tration. The platform indorsed the Chi
caEo platform and embodied all sorts of
good things concerning matters of Demo-
cratic faith but was painfully quiet about
the state administration.
The fight to prevent any Endorsement
whatever of Governor Stephens was made
in the committee on resolutions and when
1t reported the platform without reference
to him no one had the unspeakable hardi-
hood to arise and demand an Endorsement
Of the bifurcated state government.
From unofficial reports that have eman-
ated from the committee room there was
a hot time at the meeting and ex-poice
Commissioner Will Scarritt is given the
credit for shutting off Governor Stephens
from the taffy counter.
When Police Commissioner Gregory was
induced to take up the cause of Frank Sc
bree and undertake to land the delegation
from the Seventh ward for him. he secured
the assistance of the Helm brothers in the
work and they asked that Will Scarritt be
put on the delegation. When the commit
tees were made up Scarritt was on the res
olutions committee. He went to the rooms
where the committee was at work looking
very innocent but carrying hammer
greater in size than any park knocker ever
handled.
The draft of the resolutions as submitted
to the committee contained among many
other matters complimentary reference
to the state administration and Governor
Stephens. Mr.. Scarritt demurred to the
plank. 1t was pointed out to him that such
complimentary references were always
made. but still he demurred. Then it was
suggested that possibly he had personal
feelings in the matter. He denied this and
said he was fighting for the good of De-
Mr.. Julian suggested that ii personal re-
sentiment was good grounds for objections
he was in a position to lead the opposition.
but he called attention to the fact that no
matter what Governor Stephens had done
or might do. he was the Democratic repre-
sentative. and in 1860 the party would have
to stand or fall on the record he had made.
Under that view OF the situation he was
willing to vote the formal and compliment
airy indorsement contained in the report a
few members of the committee agreed with
him. Then Mr.. Scarritt got out his ham
mer and went to work with an enthusiasm
seldom seen anywhere.
He is said to have stated with much en-
phasis that If there was anything compli-
mentary in the report towards Governor
Stephens he would file a minority report
and carry the fight to the floor Of the con-
vention. He had assurances of overwhelm-
ing sympathy and support from large dele
cations If the question were forced on them
for action. He told the committee plainly
so the report goes that if the convention
indorsed Governor Stephens or admitted
his administration was Democratic. or wise.
no man nominated on the platform would
be supported by the Kansas City Times and
the party would find its compliment the
most costly bouquet it ever tried to throw.
With SO much vigor did he fight and so
plainly did he state his case that he car
ried the day and the committee decided as
n question of policy ii would be unwise to
allow any unseemly discussion on the floor
and that Governor Stephens would have to
look elsewhere for his Endorsements.
So 1t came to pass that the platform and
resolutions were rebuilt and the committee
consumed three hours in reaching a con-
ciusion. That is why the governor got no
bouquet and his administration. with its
nepotism and its whitewashing, got no vote
OF confidence.
The amusing part of the affair is that
convention through the arrangement OF
Mr.. Gregory, who represents the state ad-
ministration here, and was supposed to be
ton. Now that he is out Of politics and
Judge Scarritt no longer candidate for
Office, Mr.. Scarritt was able to do as he