The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-05-18
PROPOSITION FOR FUSION.
PoPuIist and Democratic Committees Of
the sixth District Trying to Get
Together On Candidate.

In response to plan put forth BY
the pOpulist congressional committee
looking toward the harmonious union
Of the democrats and populists in the
Sixth district, the democratic congress
sio1al committee proposes the follow
ing solution Of the difficulty:
Norton, Kan, May 10, 1900.
Hon Frank Forrest, Chairman PeO-
pies Party Committee, Mankato, Kan.
Dear Sir:-YOur communication Of
April so was today submitted to the
democratic executive cOmmitte, and
am directed By that body to make re-
ply as follows: That while We reshhrm
and reiterate the declaration made in
our platform, favoring direct IegisIs-
ton, and while We are equally anxious
that "the state and electoral tickets Of
the Bryan forces in Kansas may not be
jeopardized BY a three cornered fight
IN this congressional district" this
committee cannot consent to the prop
Osition for the following reasons:
First-There are - counties in this
congressional district and approximate
y 500 voting precincts. The expense
Of a canvass aud Of holding primary
elections in each Of these would not be
less than $500 Of 5000 to each candi-
date, which neither our candidate or
our committee can afford
SecOnd-YOur letter implies a purely
personal controversy as between DR..
Dykes and Mr.. Scott, which We cannot
in any sense recognize as existing.
Third-The plan you propose could
bit result in a crucial test Of party
loyalty, even if both candidates we're
members Of the same political organi-
zatiOn. In this case the whole question
would turn upon the proposition as to
whether the democrats or pOpulists
should have the nominee WrangIing,
strife, disputatiOn, and resultant evils
could be the only outcome. The sue
cessful candidate at the primary could
expect only defeat at the polls, and
primary election would expose to the
republicans the strength and weakness
Of the fusion forces, and tend only to
defeat the fusion state, electoral and
legislative tickets.
At the solicitation of Mr.. Scott, who
has at all times been ready and willing
to yield any mere personal interests
for the success Of the principles for
which be stands, the democratic com
mittee proposes that DR.. Dykes and
Mr.. Scott shall each place his written
withdrawal IN the hands Of his com
mittee; that thereupon joint meeting
Of the two committees as they were
elected BY the conventions, be called
to select a fusion candidate for con-
gress, a majority of the members Of the
joint meeting to govern. The nominee
to be DR.. Dykes or Mr.. Scott or a new
man as in the wisdom of the meeting
may seem best for the interests Of the
reform forces. These committeeman
stand as the regularly elected repre-
sentatives Of their respective party or
CARNATIONS in the several counties.
They are in close touch with their con-
stituents, and are IN a position to know
and understand the will of the people
they represent in this matter. 1t would
seem that all could rely upon their pa
tTiOtism and good judgment, and in
this simple and inexpensive way the
matter be satisfactorily adjusted. Very
respectfully, CHARLES II. SAWYER,
Chairman.