The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-07
HIGHEST BIDDER.
POpulists Sell Their COnven-
tion For $3.50.
Comfort and Convenience of
Delegates Doesn't Count.
FORT SCOTT CHOSEN.
Location Is Only 10 Miles From
Missouri Line.
Almost Inaccessible to North
western Counties.
Railroad Fare Will Keep Many
at Home.

The Populists will nominate their can
didates for state officers at Fort Scott,
the delegates to the national conven-
ton at Clay Center. These places were
selected by the state committee last
night in session at the National.
The Fort Scott politicians, headed by
Jake Shepard, one of the smoothest
manipulators in the state. came to To-
peka seeking the convention to noai-
nate the delegates to the national con-
vention. When it was announced that
Shepard and his followers had captured
the biggest convention by votes OF lO
to the surprise of the Populist loiter-
ers in the hotel lobbies was inexpreS-
sible. 1t was first accepted as a joke,
but the doleful news was finally ac-
cepted in good faith.
Fort Scott is a good town and has
good people in it, but its adaptability
for state convention purposes is not
what it might be. Delegates to the con-
vention from the northern part of the
state and in the vicinity surrounding
Topeka and along the Kaw, east and
west will almost be compelled to go to
Kansas City to get to Fort Scott Its
main line of railroad is the Missouri
Pacific northwest through Ottawa,
Usage City, Council Grove; from there
west. Connections are made for Wich-
ita and other cities in that section of
the state, but the territory north of the
Union racine VIII DS COIlp0llSO 10
journey a long way around to reach
the scene of the convention.
Fort Scott is ten miles from the east
ern boundary of the state. 1t is sc
miles from the south line and 134 miles
south of the north line, being 205 miles
east of the center of the state. It is
almost in Missouri in the directions of
east and southeast.
Fort Scott is located as follows:
From Cheyenne county. 462 miles.
From Smith coIlF1fV 315 miles
From Hays City, 331 miles.
From Ness City. 326 miles.
From Abilene, 221 miles.
From Salina, 252 miles.
From HiaWatha, 252 miles.
The candidates for governor were sur
prised, except W. H. Ryan, that the
convention should be taken to Fort
Scott. The friends of Mr.. Ryan claim
the victory means an advantage for
their candidate for governor. Mr.. Ryan
says nothing, but feels elated that his
friends should capture the convention.
1t is claimed that this action of the
committee means that Ryan is stronger
in the southeastern part of the state
than the remaining candidates have ad-
mitted.
Mr.. Munger was glad the convention
went to Fort Scott. AcNall, Breiden-
thai, Harvey and Stone were surprised.
Fort Scott won the convention by
cash. The representatives of that city
were busy. They had headquarters in
the motel anu WOIh6Q AL
the time. They said nothing about cash
but cash won the day on the finish of
the fight.
Last night representatives of Topeka,
Wichita, Parsons and Hutchinson ap-
peared before the committee and asked
for the convention. Wichita promised
$500.
Jake Shepard, representing Fort Scott
established a new precedent and for the
first time in the political history of the
state made the committee a cash pres
ent for the campaign fund. Money has
been furnished the committee in var
ious ways, principally through the pay
ment of expenses but this is the first
time that the cash has been put up.
Mr.. Shepard made his speech to the
committee then said: Il have here $50G
in checks He exhibited the checks and
talked a short time Here is an addi-
tional $3.50 in checks he said, pulling
out of his vest pocket a small bundle
of that kind of money. He talked on
fourishing the checks and seemed to
be ready to close.
wait minute" he said and dived
into another pocket. He pulled out a
roll of bills. 1t did look large, being of
small denomination.
Shepard then placed the currency on
top of the checks and said:
Here's another $100 If the conven-
ton goes to Fort Scott the committee
may have this money for campaign
purposes"
The ballot was taken. Topeka had
four votes; Fort Scott 6; Wichita T.
This lasted through four ballots and
the contest finished with 10 votes for
Fort Scott and four for Topeka.
The committee then located the con-
vention to nominate the delegates to
the national convention at Salina Be
fore the vote was made public Clay
Center offered 5000 for the convention.
The vote for Salina was reconsidered
and the convention relocated at Clay
Center, much to the surprise of the
Clay Center people who were here.
The dates for these conventions will
be fixed after the national convention
call is issued.
The committee adjourned and met
again this morning at 9 o'clock. The
basis of representation will be fixed and
the resolutions against fusion submit
ted by G.. c. Clemens will be disposed
of.