The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-09-30
Acting First Assistant Postmaster Gen
SHOW FAKE INDEPENDENCE
Ridgeley State Chairman Trying to
stop POpuiist Breakup.

political circles yesterday over desper-
ate attempt at Topeka to stop the disso-
luton o1 the Populist party. 1t will he
remembered that in the Sixth district, as
here in the Seventh district, the Demo-
Gratis and Populists each nominated a
man. The Populists nominated Dykes,
the Democrats TuIly Scott. Dykes has
tried to favor Scott in every way to set
him off the ticket but this can't be done.
In the Sixth district. as in the Seventh
district, the Populists are pulling away
from their party. The disaffection is
spreading all over the state and Ridgely
the Populist state chairman, taking a let
ter from Scott as a pretext, has issued a
last desperate letter, trying to fool the
Populists into the belief that Populism
can still be independent towards Democ-
racy.
In his letter to Scott RidgeIy says:
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 18th re-
ceived last evening. Your having given
| it out to the press in advance Of it's re-
ceipt by me makes it unnecessary for me
to treat If other than as a public affair
ITO your first conclusion candidly dis
! agree. I have taken a great deal of
| pains to investigate the sentiment of the
voters in the Sixth district, and you are
| the first and only man among scores of
! both Democrats and Populists to claim
that there is a possibility Of electing you
if Mr.. Dykes should withdraw. To the
contrary. a very large number of Dem
ocrats, as well as Popursts, say they do
not believe you could be elected under
any possible conditions within human
power to create this year.
ITO your second also disagree. Again
| have the candid and unbiased judg
ment of scores of Democrats and Popu-
| lists that if you would withdraw and Mr.
| Dykes put on the Democratic ticket in
| your place he would be elected. In 1896
the vote Of the Sixth district with three
| Candidates in the field resulted as fol-
lows: Republican, 1888; Democratic,
| 1.547; Peoples party, 1927. In 1898, with
| three candidates in the field again the
vote resulted as follows: Republican
1888; Democratic. 1884; Peoples party.
147S2. In view of these facts the belief
that Mr.. Dykes, the present Peoples
party candidate, can be elected is well
founded
''To your third I answer that I do not
| believe it possible to select a new man
this late in the campaign who could be
elected
Mr. Dykes has made you three pro-
positions, each of which you have seen
! fit to reject. First ne proposed to sub
nit the matter as TO who should be the
fusion candidate to a joint primary cleo
ton to be held in your district at which
all voters supporting Bryan should be
allowed TO vote This proposition was
made soon after the double nomination
took place and in ample time to have
permitted the Bryan voters in the dis
trict to have united upon one candidate
by majority vote.
His second proposition was made I'M
der the solicitation Of Mr.. J. C. Johnson.
chairman Democratic national executive
committee through Mr.. De Ford and in
response to a telegram from Mr. John
son asking Mr. Dykes to meet Mr.. De-
Ford in Kansas City. which he did This
resulted in Mr.. Dykes agreeing TO leave
the matter as 10 whether you or he
should have the united support Of both
parties TO a committee of six three 10
be appointed by the chairman OF the
Democratic national committee and three
BY the chairman Of the Peoples party
national committee. This you refused.
Then in response to 4 telegram from
Mr.. Johnson meeting was held in Kan
sas City about a week ago, you being
present and Mr.. Dykes being represent
ed by his brother. acting with fun au-
thority. At this meeting you declined to
submit the question 10 the committee or
six
Then Mr.. Dykes submitted the follow
ing proposition; To leave the matter as
10 which one should be placed on both
tickets to 4 committee OF four. two DEM
ocrats and two Of the Peoples party. as
follows; J. Mack Love. chairman Kan
sas Democratic state committee; J. G.
Johnson. chairman Democratic national
executive committee: Senator Harris and
myself This you declined
IN conclusion, and in view OF ali the
above facts I believe that az this STAGE
It would in5ure orr cause more II Mr.
Dykes would resign than TO have you
both remain in the field. ! believe your
resignation in favor Of Or. Dykes would
strengthen every enc OF the candidates.
from Bryan down 70 cur .ecsl tickets.
not only in the Sixth district but
throughout the entire state. and aa-
peal % YOU to decline YOUR ro-ina ton
IN favor Ct AR Dykes and help Us a.
you can ~ this generous act 20 win
complete victory for cur en5i-e national.
state and local tickets Yours tguiy.
e R. RIDGELY. Chairman