Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-04
CHAIRMAN ALLEN THINKS KIRK
PATRICK WILL WIN.
SAYS FUSlONlSTS ARE DIVIDED
DEMOCRATS NOT GIVING RIDGELY
HEARTY SUPPORT.
Many Old Line PopuIists Feel That
Patriotism Demands the Election
of ConEressmen Who Will
Stand by Mckinley's
Administrations.

CHANUTE. KAs.. Nov. 3.-(special) The
Third congressional district of Kansas pre-
sents one of the most striking instances
of the changes among the voters who sup
ported Populism during the last campaign
that is to be found in the entire state.
Ridgeiy's majority in 1886 was 4.1S', and
at the beginning of the campaign this
year the most enthusiastic workers in the
Republican party We're hopeless of over
coming that majority. But Populism has
been losing and Republicanism gaining eV-
cry day since the campaign began, and now
the Republican leaders profess belief that
when the ballots are counted next Tues
day, Kirkpatrick will be found to have
handsome plurality. Senator K. \. Allen,
chairman of the Republican congressional
committee, is entitled to much of the
credit for the splendid condition of the
Republican forces to-day. This is not his
first experience in managing the political
fortunes of the Third district Republicans.
The senator has served through three
hard fought campaigns, as congressional
committeeman. He is the possessor of am
pie means, which he generously donates
whenever demands are made for the sinews
of war. In an interview to-day Senator
Allen said:
The prospect for Republican victory in
the Third congressional district brightens
every day. The Republicans in every coun-
ty are we'll organized and enthusiastic.
There are changes from Populism and De-
mocracy to Republicanism by the scores
in every county. While the Republicans
are working shoulder to shoulder and ig-
noring all personal differences. the opposi
ton in several of the counties seems in
different and without enthusiasm, especial
ly for Mr.. Ridgely. Many of them who
supported him most heartily and enthusi-
astically two years ago will not attend
his meetings, and express general indiffer-
ence as to the election. Besides the DEM
ocrats recognize the fact that Mr.. Ridgely
while in congress has done nothing. and is
no credit, even as a Populist representative
of the district. There is evidently among
the Democrats n very general feeling OF
dissatisfaction toward Mr.. Ridgely because
he is not in harmony with Democratic
principles, but believer in all the vagaries
of Populism. socialism and fiatism. Be-
sides. they know full well that as long
as Mr.. Ridgely is reelected there is no op-
portunity to secure fusion on Democrat,
and. consequently, no hope for a Demo-
cratic congressman in the Third district
until he has been shelved. If Mr.. Ridgely
is beaten. the Democrats will claim and
demand the right of naming the fusion
C3nulCate next llDle ana lne 1OpullstS
cannot reasonably refuse their request.
While they will not say anything openly
to antagonize Mr.. Ridgely, there is a feel
ing among them that is chilling, and the
result of the vote will show the effect
of the Democratic frost.
Many of the old-line Populists are dis
gusted with the present Populist adminis-
tration, in many parts of the district, to
such an extent that they will not go to the
polls. determined to emphasize their dis
gust toward the Populst leaders by their
absence. Many others feel that true
patriotism requires that they should assist
in upholding the Mckinley administration.
They believe the war with Spain was right
and the administration of our foreign af-
fairs and of the war, by Mr.. Mckinley
could not have been excelled by anyone,
and they will register their Endorsement
of the administration by voting the Re
publican ticket, and especially for a con-
gressman who will support his foreign
policy in the house of representatives.
There will be very few Republicans who
will vote against Mr.. kirkpatrick because
of their failure to receive appointments for
which they were applicants. One would
thirk to hear the talk of some people
about the disappointed applicants for post
offices who were going to vote against
kirkpatrick, that they surely were
Populists in spirit and only Republicans
in name, for the purpose of securing their
bread and butter. Such is not the case.
They are Republicans from principle. All
appreciate more and more every succeed
ing day the necessity of good Repub-
lican majority in congress in harmony with
Mckinley. in order that our country may
enjoy and profit by our victory over
Spain, in the expansion of our territory
and foreign commerce; also that this is an
off year and in such years there Is usual
iy some danger of reversals to the national
administration of any, party by rea,
son OF the discomfort of unsuccessful and
disappointed ofiiceseekers and their pei
soral friends. And the results are usually
most manifest in the election of congress-
men The disappointed applicants in the
Third congressional district are inspired
with patriotism far superior to personal
gardless of personal feelings. Upon the
whole the opinion is general that Mr.. Kirk
patrick will run up with the state ticket
with the possible exception of Mr. STAN
'.How about the mining vote in chel~;ee
and Crawford countless:
THE mining vote in those counties is al
ways an uncertain quantity. 1t is i'm
| POSSIBLE to estimate it with anything like
| the accuracy of the farming vote or the
vote of the usual country town. From the
| best information | can obtain there is good
prospect of great change in these two
counties. The opposition does not count
on more than half the majority they re-
| ceived two years ago, and the Republic
| ans expect to divide that with them. I.ead
| pnd zinc represent the great mining inter-
| ests of Cherokee county. and prosperity
| with them is ut its climax. the product be-
| ing the greatest and prices the highest ever
| known: hence they appreciate what the
| Republican party has done for them. Craw-
| ford county contains most all the coal
| mines in the district. and while the miners
have all the work they can do at good
| nriCes they are not so impressed with the
| fact that their prosperity comes from Re
publican laws and national administration
of affairs as are the lead and zinc miners.