The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-19
HARMONY CALL
Issued by the Democratic Ex-
ecutiVe Committee,
Now Headed By j. G. Johnson,
of Peabody, Kansas.
A SPECIAL APPEAL
Is Made to the Party Following
In Kentucky
To Stand by GOebeI on Account
of Next Year.
SPECIAL APPEAL

Chicago, Sept 19.-John G. Johnson,
of Peabody, Kan, the executive officer
of the Democratic national committee,
will take charge of the active work OF
the ways and means and press commit
tees and within two weeks will come TO
Chicago to open headquarters.
Senator Jones, chairman of the Dem
ocratic national committee, will arrive
in New York October 6, and two days
later he will meet Mr.. Johnson either
in Chicago or st. Louis. Mr.. Johnsons
selection as the executive officer OF the
national committee under Chairman
Jones is considered a triumph for the
members of the committee who have
been working toward harmony in the
party.
Mr.. johnson was placed on all the
committees by Ex-Governor Stone, vice
chairman of the general committee. He
is one of Senator Jones' most intimate
friends and he stands as the represen-
tative of all the factions and classes in
the party.
To emphasize the fact that they want
all Democrats to get together" next
year, the national committeeman
adopted harmony call'' as follows:
THE national committee of the Dem
Ocratic party in session at Chicago to
consider the work of party organiza-
ton, preparatory to the campaign of
1900, sends greeting to the Democracy
of the nation, with the assurance that
the prospect of Democratic success
next year grows brighter every day,
and we have every reason for con-
hdence as to the outcome. The great
need now is party unity and thorough
organization. The committee appeals
therefore to our party friends in all the
states, and especially in the states
where elections are to be held this year,
to put aside all local differences where
ever they exist and support the regular
party tickets earnestly and enthusiast
ticalIy, keeping always in view the
great struggle Of next year and remem-
bering that in unity there is strength
and in division weakness. Especially
do we appeal to the Kentucky Democ-
racy to give loyal support to the reg
ular ticket in that state headed by Mr.
Goebel and thereby make sure Dem
ocratic victory in the state and the
return of Senator Blackburn to the
senate of the United States
Mr. Johnson is one of the few men
on the national committee who never
held public office. He was born in
Brooklyn, N. Y, and for a time lived in
Peoria county, Illinois. In 1877 he
moved to Kansas. He is the Oldest
member in point of continuous service
on the state Democratic committee.
Just prior to the Chicago convention of
1896, he was selected as the Kansas
member of the Democratic national
committee.
The executive committee, ways and
means committee and press commit
tee, of the Democratic national COM
mittee were in session all day yester-
day. Secretary Charles A. Walsh was
made a member ex-officfo of all the
committees and secretary of each
Nothing but organization work was
discussed in the committees. 1t was
determined to spread the ways and
means system of collecting funds over
more states. Samuel B. Cook, general
manager of the committee made his
report, and although the details were
not made public, it was learned that
the committee has in the neighborhood
of 100000 pledged and about $40 600 on
! hand.
The nearest approach to friction
came in the executive committee when
George Fred Williams was asked why
the Massachusetts Democrats were to
select delegates to the Democratic ma
uOnal convention next Thursday
months before the national convention
will be called. It is said that Mr. Will
liams admitted that John R Mclean
| Massa chusetts Democrats had taken
snap Judgment but insisted that the
Bryan Democrats feared that the anti
Bryan men might get the delegation
| away from them, if the election of ma
| tional delegates was put off until next
year.
Mr.. Williams, just before leaving for
! home, said that the Republicans had
/ passed a law which provided that only
| two political conventions could be held
| in one year by any one party, and if
/ a convention were held next wear to
| elect national delegates the Democrats
would not be able to hold the other two
| necessary nominating conventions. The
! Texas Democrats are booming the Dali
! las state carnival for half of the gate
/ receipts are to go to the Democratic
state campaign fund The executive
| ing the carnival and most of the com
/ mittee who were in the city yesterday
| will attend.