The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-22
y. R. Burton's Friends Trying
to Placate Fusionists.
Fear They May Combine With
the Anti Burton Faction.
MET BY AN EMISSARY.
w. w. Smith LabOring With
Fusion Legislators.
Explains How Burton Might
Be ssOf assistance"


The call for Populist conference in
this city January p has not been
changed, but prominent leaders are be-
ing summoned for a day or two in ad-
vance Of that time to take final action
on the senatorial question.
There seems to be no doubt that the
Populists and Democratic members of
the legislature are making plans to
cause the defeat of J. r. Burton for
senator, in the event he should seem to
have prospects of success, based on
something more tangible than claims"
The Burton managers are very much
exercised on this point, and they feel
that alarm on their part is entirely JUS
tifiable, because they recall with regret
Mr. Burton's prolonged and oft-reiter-
ated declaration that lin the event of
Republican success in the legislature a
law should be passed to prevent fusion"
and his bitter attacks upon the Popu-
lists.
The Burton managers are so much ex-
ercised over this condition of affairs
that their representatives are holding
conferences with every fusion leader
who comes to town.
W. ". Smith, of this city, is in charge
of the conferences with Populist lead
ers. He held two conferences yesterday
but obtained no satisfaction so far as
the Burton plans are concerned On
the other hand, Smith was told that the
Burton people need expect no favors
from the opposition party, although
Smiths intimatiOn conveyed the Idea
that while the Burton people were very
much averse to having fusionists vote
for Baker, they would not turn and flee
from such support for the Abilene man.
BurtOnS friends point to his con-
tinuous record of abuse for the fusion
lists as an indication of Republican
fealty. The PopulistS are now calling
attention to this same subject as a sub
stantial reason why they should aid in
keeping Burton at home.
While the tradition of the Populist
party that the office should seek the
man has in some instances been vio-
lated, the old-tine Populist, and there
are several of them in the coming legis-
lature, think that Mr.. Buttons effort to
be senator unsuccessfully made for ten
years. should not now be rewarded.
Mr. Smith explains that Mr.. Burton
will be in a position to assist aspiring
Populists or Democrats in many ways,
but the POpuIiSt leaders have been told
about Mr. BurtO1'S promising two men
the same consular job, so they do not
place much faith in his recently mani
Tested desire to aid Populists.
The publication recently of the as
signment of the federal offices in Kansas
greatly disturbed the Burton managers,
because one or two men claim to have
been promised the jobs which are slated
10 go to others. This does not have the
effect of strengthening the Burton lines
particularly. and while the managers
are keeping up great show of courage
as the time for the final battle ap-
breaches, the men who have publicly
stated that the senator-elect will not be
Burton are more confident than ever.
1t is reported that the Populists want
TO make a combination with the I'M
pledged and anti-BurtOn members of thu
legislature for the nomination of a man
ITO be named by the majority Of the Re
publicans. It is also claimed that all the
Populists, Silver Republicans and Dem
ocrats will ask. is that this majority
stand together to prevent legislation
which would prevent fusion. This 1egls-
1ation could be had by a law prohibiting
the placing of a candidates name il
more than one place on the official bal
lot. Now the Democratic and Populist
tickets contain the same names for the
same positions.
Jerry Simpson, a candidate for the fu-
sion nomination, would gladly give up
his senatorial nomination aspirations to
effect the defeat of Burton. John Breid-
enthal, state bank commissioner, would
also take this position. He dislikes Bur
ton and for good reason, the Populists
claim.
With Breidenthal. Simpson, Webb Nc
Nall the POpulist state COMMITTEES and
dissatisfied Republicans against them,
the Burton managers realize there is not
much hope for them SO they have started
a Ddck ure ana MI Smith IS working
10 get the Populists in line for Burton.
with a combination against Burton
with the one purpose of securing his de-
deat if possible, there is no possibility
for Burton to land Populist or fusion
votes
Burton is now conceded about as votes
An the legislature for the caucus noni-
nation which requires So votes 1t is
claimed that he will never have more
than this number Of votes In fact this
week Mr. Burton has lost two or three
votes upon which he counts absolutely.
AS the time for the election approaches
the anti-Burton element, not necessarily
the Baker supporters, are booming their
fight and with apparent success. Mr.
iBurton's chances are not as good today
as they sRera q rzaalr n 90