The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-08
TWO BITES OF A CHERRY.
Barely Enough Democrats to Split,
But They Split, Nevertheless.

The "other Democratic central COM
mittee," about Is in number, held a
meeting last night. The action OF the
Democratic mass convention" com
posed of 25 persons, was ignored and q
date was fixed for the primary ana
ward caucuses. The date for the prim-
airy is Friday evening, March 8. at 9
o'clock. The caucuses will be held
Wednesday evening, March 1.
The representation will be as follows:
First ward-F'irst precinct, 5; Second
precinct, 4; Third precinct, 5.
Second ward-First precinct, 4; Sec
ond precinct, 8; Third precinct, 4;Fourth
precinct, 4; Fifth precinct, 5.
Third ward-F'irst precinct, 4; Second
precinct, 8; Third precinct, g.; Fourth
precinct, 8.
Fourth ward-First precinct, 4; Sec
ond precinct, A; Third precinct, 3;Fourth
precinct, 2.
Fifth ward-FirSt precinct, 3; Second
precinct, 2.
Chairman Lee Jones was present and
as he was made the scapegoat of the
mass convention those present listened
anXiOuSly for what he would say but
he did not even refer to the convention.
He waved his hand for silence and then
said: 81 have called this meeting OF
the Democratic central committee pc
cause I am in favor of doing something
as Democrats. 1 am forever opposed to
any trading or bartering in the name
of Democracy. Let us go before the
people with a good, clean straight ticket
and start out and get all the votes we
can. 1 do not believe, however, in
working my head off and then be traded
off by some one"
This talk started some applause and
then Frank Benson, who was mem
Der of the mass convention, informed
Chairman Jones that he had been super
seeded and a new committee had been
elected.
There is only one committee" re-
piled Chairman Jones, land that is the
committee elected in ward caucuses and
N
come out and declare himself a member
of this committee who was elected in
any other way.
An ominouS silence followed and then
John Schmidt, the Second ward Demo-
cratic leader, arose. Let us get down
to~busineSS,' said he. '"There is only one
committee and there sits our chair
man. Look at him. By the other plan
any one could come in here and claim
to be a member of this committee. Any
one might call a meeting. L have been
here since 1863 and 1 stand always
ready to face Democracy. The other
meeting was not called in a regular way
and no one will be responsible for it,
81 will stand responsible for it," said
G. Max Claudy who had just come in.
You didn't sign that call as secre-
tary, did your
Eyes 1 did," said Claudy and that
ended the controversy.
C. L. Fraser of the Fifth ward then
made a speech of the ringing kind
on the question of Democracy. He said
that he was glad to see the turn things
had taken and he was in favor of
straight Democratic ticket. There is
no reason for i'll feeling" said he.
There is no i'll feeling" said T. NJ.
Hanley. 1.-The old committee was elect
ed in ward caucuses and is the regular
committee"
II was always in favor of a Demo-
cratic ticket and I am now" said Frank
Benson. Let US have a ticket if we
get no more than a dozen votes"
W. J. McGarry, who is called the
Democratic war horse of the Flambeau
club, said 81 intend to stay in the fold
all the time, no matter what happens.
I-Want-to see straight ticket in the
field and I will vote for 1t If I am the
only man in Topeka who will I was
one of the few people who voted for you
for mayor" said the speaker pointing
his finger at Chairman Jones. The COM
pliment was acknowledged by a grace
full bow.
John Schmidt and T. NJ. Han1ey de-
clared themselves in favor of a straight
Democratic ticket and the meeting was
closed