The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-23
EAGLE EYE
Kept on Doubtful POpulistMem-
bers Who 1t is Feared
Maybe Influenced to Keep Away
From the Session,
Thus Reducing the POpulist
Majority on
THE RAILROAD BILL
And Defeating It by Help Of
Republicans.
List of Those Who Are Not
Here or Have Gone.
REPORT CIRCULATED
That POpulists Have Only SO
in Their Caucus
But They Claim They Can
Count on 66.
List of Those Who Are Not
Here or Have Cone
REPORT CIRCULATED
That POpulists Have Only SO
in Their Caucus
But They Claim They Can
Count on 66.


railroad bill in the house as well as
railroad influence on the outside, devel-
oped last night. 1t was rumored that
some of the fusion members would be
called home today either by sickness or
business.
The fusion caucus was closely watch
ed yesterday and a wave of enthusiasm
and hope spread over Copeland county
when it was reported that only 80 house
members were in the caucus. This would
leave the fusionistS without enough
votes to constitute a quorum and would
give the Republican members a, chance
to walk out and go home, thereby block
ing legislation.
Further hope was given to the RepUb-
HcanS when it was announced that +.
J. Armstrong, POpulist member from
| WyandOtte had received a telegram
stating that some member OF his family
was sick in Illinois and that he would
be compelled to leave.
The rumOr in regard to there only be-
ing 50 in the caucus is denied by POpu-
lists. They say that the attendance Of
the caucus has not been regular be
cause nothing has come up yet which
demands a full attendance and that
subcommittee consisting of three mem
bers from the house and three men,
bers of the senate are at-work prepar-
ing bill which will be presented to the
caucus for its action.
While the meetings of the caucus have
been behind closed doors there have
been siXty-siX members in the caucus
ty-three fusion members six have not
been in the caucus at all.
They are Samuel Ernst from Atchi-
son, c. r. Walters of Labette, B. F.
Singleton of Greenwood, Charles L.
Brown of Sumner, J. S. Bean of Saline,
and William Lewis of RawIins.
No one seems to have heard from
Ernst. 1t is said that he was one of the
members who failed to sign a promise
to support a caucus bill and so it may
not be surprising that he is not present.
G. r. Walters of Oswego has not been
in the city since the opening of the Ses-
sion Mr. Walters is said to be one of
the mem bers who pledged himself and
for that reason his absence has caused
some remarks among his brother mem
bers. At the last session he was the
member who introduced the decalOgue
as a bill The defeat of this measure,
which was begun as a joke, is hardly
enough to justify him in remaining
B. F. Singleton has been out of the
state on a visit. He received letters and
telegrams as he was considered ''all
right and when he was present this
morning at the opening of the house
the POpulists counted on another eau
Gus vote.
came to town this morning. The steer
ing committee have not counted on his
support owing to his attitude at the
last session. 1t is not known whether
he will join the caucus or not.
The information received concerning
J. S. Bean is that he is ILL.,
William Lewis is another member
who has not been in town this session.
Nobody seems to know whether he an
tends coming or not.
From time to time it has been whis-
pered by Populist members to one an
other in hotel corridors that some one
or two Republican members would vote
in favor of a railroad or banking bill.
Private Secretary James Lewis when
asked this morning if he thought there
was any danger of the caucus being un-
able to adopt a railroad measure, said:
mo, I don't think there is any danger
at all. In fact I think we would have
enough votes in the house to pass a
bill if we only had so votes in the eau
Gus as there are two or three Republi-
can votes that will likely help US out.
understand that the caucus is getting
along nicely, though"
The members of the committee appoint
ed by the caucus yesterday to draft
bill to be considered are house members
Brown of Pratt, Fairchild OF Kingman
and Jaquins of Cowley; those from the
senate are Senators King, Householder
and Lewelling. This committee will be
assisted by Attorney General Boyle,
Justice Allen, G. c. Clemens and Judge
David Martin.
The committee were at work today
and will probably report bill to the
caucus late today.