Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-02-01
THE suHfIowIR LEAGUE.
G. G. Clemens Offers Some Remarks
on Its Objects and Plans.

A large number OF Popullsts OF
Dickinson county have been induced
to Join the Democratic organization
called the SunHower League which
seems to have for its principal object
the combination Of the fusion fcrces
on a playing horse basis-with the
Populists being the horse and the
Democrats the driver. G. c. Glenn
ems, ex-supreme court reporter, is in
revolt against this plan and has been
trying to induce the state Populist
committee to organize league OF its
own in opposition. At the recent
meeting Of the state committee he
asked that a resolution be passed
favoring the organization Of Popu-
list state league, but the committee
"forgot" to pass it, in the interest OF
fusion. So he issued the following
"manifesto":
81 am an innocent young thing,
entirely unused to the wiles OF the
world, and | scarce know what to
make of the conduct Of the Popullst
state committee. The request made
was SO easy to grant and the reason
for it was made very plain and was
undenied.
"About two weeks ago, the Kansas
Democratic executive committee he'd
a meeting at Kansas City hotel
Mr.. johnson, chairman Of the nation
al executive committee, journeyed
from Chicago to attend that meeti ng
General Weaver, of Iowa, that distip-
guished Democrat who wears himself
out working at the job Of a Populist
war horse, also attended. Rumor
says the Populist state committee
was not unrepresented. Evidently it
was deemed an important conference.
Yet Its only apparent purpose was to
give out to the Kansas public that
the Sunhower lea. ue was considered
an orthodox and highly respectable
organization, and that Populists and
Free Silver Republicans, as well as
Democrats, were expected to join it.
"It is fair to assume that even pol.
iticians have reasons for what they
do, and thought | could see a rea-
son for that manifesto. | thought
the object might be to have the dele
gates to both the Populist and Demo-
cratic state conventions chosen from
the membership OF the Sunilower
league, into which only Democratic
Populists would 60, and thus both
conventions could be controlled by
that league which would, in turn be
controlled by the two state commit
tees. As the state ticket would be
split by an alleged Populist conven-
tion, the Populists who really believe
in something would be expected to
partake of the crow provided for their
refreshment and make no disturbance.
1.-The reckless willingness which
certain members Of the committee
expressed to leave everything to the
state convention, confirmed me IN
my suspicion that moccasin tracks
we're visible in the sand. So asked
the committee to do something to al
Law not unreasonable suspicion
among Populists that the Sunfower
league is intended as a political
cellar.door down whose gentle decliv,
ity Populists are to be tobogganed in
to the Democratic party. My sled
being Of the old style, | do not feel
like risking myself on it in the pres
ent precarious condition Of my politi-
cal health.
"All requested was some resolu'
ton providing for the organization OF
straight Populist league the test OF
membership in which should be un-
equivocal Endorsement OF the Popu'
list state platform Of lS9s' No ac'
ton OF this kind was taken. Nearly
every member has privately assured
me that the committee was practic-
ally unanimous in favor OF my idea.
They have also privately informed
me that the very thing wished done
has been going on for month
or longer; that the secretary Brother
Botkin, and perhaps others, have
been organizing Populist clubs under
the commmittee's direction, and thai
the work Of organization will be Wig
orously pushed.
'In my Sissy Jupes stupidity,
asked why this mighty missionar!
movement had been so cautiousl.
-il t.o,, s;r, In p,;,daJ all