The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-28
REFORM CRY.
Fifty Topeka People Make an
Organization.
VIII Study Direct Legislation
at Home.
Is NOT PARTISAN.
Ready to Accept Any Political
Party.
Must First Adopt Reform Plank
However.
IS NOT PARTISAN.

"A Union Reform League was organic
ed last night and will begin an active
campaign at once in the line of direct
legislation.
In pursuance to a call issued by
committee composed of T. J. Maxwell,
c. D. Skinner and Geo. B. Harrison, 40
or so followers Of the reform faith met
at the old court house Thursday night
for the purpose of talking over the stu
alton and take steps to perfect an i'm
mediate organization. Alonzo Wardall
was elected chairman pro tenn and T. J.
Maxwell, temporary secretary. Mr..
WardaH said: AT the request of the
ladies and gentlemen present, will call
this meeting to order. AS you are all
well aware, we are here for the purpose
Of organizing a club for the education
of its members and the people along the
line of direct legislation. The meeting
which was held at the Copeland hotel
few weeks ago, for the appointment
of the committee to arrange for this
meeting has accomplished it's purpose
and here we are ready for business. If
l understand it right we are to meet
here tonight first to listen to the re-
marks of those who were so fortunate
as to be present at the Buffalo cOnven-
ton and secondly, to form an organiza-
ton. There are several in the audi
ence whom I know were at Buffalo and
if they start things to moving, we will
all be pleased to liSten.''
L. A. Stebbins: I had the pleasure
of being at the Buffalo convention, but
was not there at its final action. The
prevailing sentiment of the convention
was not to organize a new political par
ty, as many suppose, but to bring direct
legislation to the front and educate the
people along that line. More was said
about direct legislation than any other
subject. All the delegates to the con-
ventiOn were in & general way in favor
of this, the only differences of opinion
were the best and quickest ways of
bringing about this reform. Only until
recently was I interested in this meas
ure but now that begin to understand
what it means and the good that 1t will
surely do, why I am heartily in favor
of it. To my mind, direct legislation is
not the end of anything but is the
means of almost everything.
AT a conversation held in the hotel
corridor between Mr.. George Fred VIII
Hams, Of Boston, the leader of the Bry-
an Democracy in New England and J.
w. Breidenthal of Kansas and other
prominent men, this subject of direct
legislation was thoroughly discussed.
Mr.. Williams said during his remarks
that he was in favor Of what he termed
regenerated Democracy. He was in IA
VOr of Incorporating into the Demo-
cratic platform, all reform ideas now
current which it could safely do with
any degree Of success. How far we
would dare to go with this move, he did
not state but he did say that he belieV-
ed that the next Democratic convention
ought to and would put in their plat
form a plank for direct legislation.
Il saw Mr.. Pomeroy at the conven-
ton and he is without a doubt the head
and front of the direct legislation move
in this country. He took part in many
of the discussions and is an able man
and with a great future before him. I
am very much in favor Of organizing a
club here in Topeka and of organizing
right away so as to get into the work
at once"
Mrs. Annie L Diggs: ''The Buffalo
conference had many great and dis
tinctive features. 1t was a unique
conference and one, the like of which
has never before been held in the his
tory of the world. There was no pre-
determined purpose to draw the crowd
of people together at that convention.
1t was no secret meeting for anyone
was welcome to come and take part
in the discussions. The people were
there for the purpose of deliberate
Every section of the United States was
represented. Every phase of reform
was represented. It was a wonderful
meeting. I have attended many con-
ferenceS and conventions but never be-
fore have attended a meeting that had
the spirit and tone as did the Buffalo
convention
1T was the prevailing belief Of those
participating in the conference that we
ought not to look to political action for
new forms and beliefs. We must trust
to the education of the masses. We
must eO uCd te me peOpIe 70 Know ana
believe in direct legislation. If we can
accomplish this end through any politi-
cal party, then so well and good. for it
matters not of what political faith that
party may be- if it adopts our reform
ideas, then we will associate ourselves
with that party, and accomplish that
which we have undertaken. The So
cialistic college which viii be establish
ed in the east at Boston, will be an i'm
pOrtant factor and we can safely expect
much from its teachings. The men who
will be associated with it as professors.
will all be men of national reputation.
and world wide standing for their abiI-
ity.
This reform movement of ours is
based on sound educational foundation
and has arisen from some political
move or discomfort. eW do not hope for
some calamity to arise to turn the