Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-08-09
Mrs. Lease Likens II to Barnum's
Circus.

pertaining lts nrst natlonai Satnerlng
| The buildings are patriotic with Law
| ish adornments of national colors ant
gay with bunting. The great multi
tudes thronging the streets and the
public buildings are in holiday attire
A curiously entertaining ,air of ex
pectaney pervades the atmosphere
and is plainly stamped upon the tired
looking faces of the multitudes. you
can't tell what may happen at this
convention" is the general comment
and speculation and curiosity are rife
concerning the great democratic hip
podrome, which begins its proceedings
tomorrow.
Not since the balmy days of the
great Snowman, z. 7. Barnum, has
such colossal aggregation of polit-
ical hybrids, trick riders, reform
clowns and equine performers held
forth in an American city. The great
show is really a combination of sew
eral smaller shows, all contained under
the big democratic tent that has JEFF
ferson and expansion at the entrance
and Bryan and anti-expansion at the
exit.
The old populist circus is here, or
rather some of its remains. These re-
mains secured by the democratic man
ayers are used by them to lure pop
ulist sheep from republican pastures
to the scant browsing not always OBJ
tainable in democratic dump heap.
The Topolobampo schemer who held
office under republican administra.
ton is here, ostensibly in the interest
of Bryan, though he sent his trained
cat to indianapolis to manipulate the
socialists votes of Kansas in the inter.
est of The republicans. Poor old Peter
Cooper
james B. Weaver, tired of the world
and the world tired of him, is here TO
lift up his cracked and aged voice for
the men and the party that during
his presidential tour of the country in
1892 bcspattered him with stale eggs
and over-ripe cabbage when he at
tempted to speak till he was compelled
to take refuge in northern state.
Properly speaking, the populist
party is not here, nor is it decently
represented by the struggling hang
ers-on who call themselves populists
and who are here to make the pre-
tense of holding convention and in
dorsing the candidates selected by
democracy because they are paid to
do so.
The fire and enthusiasm and con-
secrated spirit of populsm has gone
out, and the Doodle refuse of the party
have become parasites upon the dem
ocratic growth. The greed for spoils
has penetrated their vitals, and their
motto Is get office, and get it any
way" They are sorry samples of the
reform that will come to the coun.
try should they ever have opportu'
nifty to put their theories into prac-
tice.
The convention is a reminder that
the human animal presents curious
study. 1t is related that a certain lady
with incredible patience and lavish
kindness taught a dog, a cat, mouse
and ar owl to dwell in the same cage.
The hunger for office has wrought
similar achievement among the polit-
icaI animals of the menagerie here.
We have the lion and the lamb, the
tiger and the mule, the fierce brayin.
pettigrew from Dakota, the aged bell
wcther Weaver from Iowa, and a
whole cage full of tigers whose sleek,
tawny hides and well-covered ribs in
dcate that they are willing that the
other animals should fight over the
bones. provided they themselves get
their share of the meat.
That they will have their share OF
the meat is evidenced by the manifest
of BOSS" Croker to &C.
cept and indorse whatever platform
may he formulated.
Victor Hugo, in speaking of Bona
parte, declared that he "embarrasse'
God" David Bennett Hill would Ger
tainly embarrass Bryan very seriously
for the vice presidency.
The silver republicans have decided
upon Towne as their choice and will
boom him to the best Of their ability
If the democrats persist in givin
to silver and declarins
their allegiance to it they will be com
PEELED to project their theories ant
their hopes into world beyond thu
grave, where time lasts until eternity
md where, the wicked having been
veeded out, there will be no republic.
ms to interfere with their plans fol
financial salvation.
MARY ELIZABETH LEASE.
VIII Handle Income Tar In Letter
Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 2.-W. J. Bryan
aid yesterday he would not discuss