The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-02
Says the 0ne-ConVention Idea
Brought Defeat in 1895.
ADVISES A "LOVE FEAST"
Is Against 0hiCe-HoIderS as
National Delegates.

submitted by Chairman Grimes Of the
territorial central committee that but one
convention be held for the purpose OF
electing national delegates and nominal
ing a delegate in congress, instead OF
holding two conventions. Already such
prominent political leaders as Senator H.
E. Ravens Of Enid andTom Ferguson Of
Watonga have publicly stated their OBJ
lection to the single convention idea, and
row Governor Barnes comes forward and
voices an emphatic dissent from the prop
osition. He insists that such a course OF
procedure Is in violation of Republican
policy. and points out that the failure
of the committee four years ago to carry
out the will and wishes of the large ma
jority Of the party in this regard led 10
the defeat of the Republican candidates
at the polls in November, the Republicans
losing not only the deuegate in congress,
but most the county officers and both
houses Of the legislature.
Referring to the memorable campaign OF
four years ago, the governor said; AT
the statehood convention, held in Okla
homa city in January, 1896, Mr.. chair
man Grimes called caucus Of RepuoA-
cans present to discuss and advise the
committee as TO the holding OF conVeh-
lions for the purpose Of electing delegates
to the national convention and Tor the
selection Of a Republican candidate Tor
daIega7s in congress. The caucus was
largely attended. every county in the ter
ritory being represented by prominent
Do fo.ar Among
those present and participating in this
meeting were Ex-Governor Seay' John l.
Ollie John f. Stone. Senator Havens
Mcdonald of D." Charles II. Filson
Dick #. Morgan, Captain Day, sam Mur-
phv and a host of other good and true,
thoughtful and conservative men. Inc
subject was discussed at length, and 1t
was finally agreed to unanimously that
The committee be advised to call separate
conventioas-the first to be held as late
as possible within the rules of the ma
tionaI organization in order that we
might know the results Of conventions IN
the states and other territories as far
as possibIe: and the second, to nominate
= delegate in congress and make a plat
form. to be held after the st. Louis con-
ventionN had nominated a candidate for
president and announced the national Re
pubHcan platform. Subsequently, how
ever under the leadership of Chairman
Grimes. the committee met at FL Reno,
and. rudeIy refusing to hear Republicans
not members Of the committee. adopted
the early and single convention idea.
Right then and there" continued the
governor. with added warmth, "the party
in this territory got off on the wrong
foot"
Pausing a moment the governor con-
tinued: Il have been much pleased TO
observe a strong feeling in the rank and
file Of the party demanding harmonious
action and Republican methods, and hope
that such good counsels will prevail
There viii be no attempt this year to Sc
Iect any but Mckinley men as delegates
TO the national convention, and it is an
honor to which any member Of the party
has a perfect right to aspire. heartily
agree with the sentiments expressed by
Senator Ravens and by Mr. Ferguson in !
their newspapers Of last weeks issues /
wherein they advocate holding two sepa- /
rate and distinct conventions for these /
purposes this year The failure Of the !
committee four years ago to carry out |
the win and wishes of the large majority |
Of the party in this regard led TO the de- |
feat of our candidates at the polls in No /
vember and we lost the delegate in con- |
gress, most Of the county officers and |
both houses of the legislature 1t does /
not take q prophet to foresee that the /
same result viii follow the course pro- |
posed by Mr. Grimes, to hold but one, /
and that an early convention"
The governors idea in securing more !
perfect and harmonious understanding in /
the party is to hold a love feast" in the /
near future. such as is the customs in /
most of the states. Pursuing this line /
Of thought he said let us have har- /
mcny and concert of action for the up |
building of our party and our territory. |
As one Of the means Of securing this, I /
think It would be a wise measure and /
would promote harmonious action il the !
Republicans Of the territory would hold /
general love feast in the near future
ana discuss these matters ana advise
the committee as to the wishes Of the
people. We are upon the eve Of another
national campaign. with indications that
ii VIII be warm one. and education
and organization must be the watchword
Of the Republicans.
There has been considerable speculation
rs 20 the attitude Of Governor Barnes re
lating % the propriety Of federal office
holders seeking TO Zoe delegates 10 the ma
Jonal convention. but this doubt is dis
PEELED by the governors positive response
70 The direct query IL he would be a can
didate for national delegate. in which he
said; NO I Will not DE a candidate for
delegate TO the national convention. The
party should not be handle pped in the
next campaign by a criticism that the
president was nominated By a convention
or office holders. OF course il is an honor /
70 represent the Republicans Of Okla
aoml in the national convention ana SNme
cur office holders would make good and
acceptable delegates. especially Il there
were a contest for the nomination when
good Judgment and political experience
would he necessary. Bat This wear Nc
Kirley VIII be nominated by acclauation.
the convention unanimously voicins the
weii-known sentiments Of TIE Republican
party as wei as Qt The loyal. patriotic
and business men II the country: ana
this honor can and ought 20 De bestowed
upon other and worthy and deserving
Repunlicans. O whof Oklahoma has -
many as any OF the states The Office I
holders have a'eady been honored BY their
appointment 20 their respective olaces;
now let the honors be divided around
among other aspiring members OF the
party
PARDON FOR WALTER FFlTS