The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-13
CHALLENGE TORES|GN
Campbell Proposes to DuvaI
That They Both Retire.
CLAIMS FUSION PLACE
In DuvaPs Power to Settle
Seventh District Middle.

| The latest move IN the Seventh district
| fusion contest is embraced in a letter
written by J. P. Campbell 10 his oppo-
nent, Claude Duval, in which he chal-
lenges the Democratic nominee 10 with
lraw from the race. II he withdraws from
ton viii become effective. This IS the
last extremity to bring an araicable set
tlement in the present political muddle
and effect fusion II is Democratic senti-
ment in Wichita that Mr.. Duval viii let
the proposition go by unheeded unless the
| leaders OF that party take it up and use
sufficient pressure 10 cause Mr. Duvars
retirement, which is not at all probable
at this stage in the fight.
However, in the event that the Demo-
cratic candidate considers the challenge
| and finally agrees with Mr.. Campbell TO
withdraw and give room for another man,
a new convention will be called and both
parties will again nominate a candidate
This is an exasperadng state of affairs
and would in all likelihood result in the
denomination Of both the present nomi-
nees, but 1t is the scheme and intention
for one convention to endorse the candi-
date decided upon by the leaders of the
two parties.
This would either give the nomination
to Mr.. Campbell or Mr.. Duval As the
latter's friends are sticking to him like
leech. and as it is hardly probable that
nf If
made had not Mr.. Campbell had such de-
signs he no doubt considers that he has
! the best show TO win out.
To reporter for the Eagle Mr. Camp
bell said yesterday that he had contem-
plated resigning but that he had received
over 300 protests from leading Populists
to stay in the race, and that after mature
elaboration and by the urgent request of
some Of the leading politicians he had
adopted the latter course to effect peace
full settlement When asked If the move
met with the appreciation of the state
committee and his followers, Mr.. Camp
bell said:
ut most certainly does. I made several
propositions to Mr.. Duval and each offer
was rejected. In the interests of both
a proposition to let the matter rest with
the two parties as to who should be the
fusion candidate-to be determined by
primary election or some other similar
oian.''
What If Duval refuses to accept the
challenger was asked
Then I will stay In the race and de-
feat him" replied the congressional can
didate. rather emphatically.
you don't mean to say that you can
win over both he and Long?"
That's exactly what 1 mean" replied
Mr.. Campbell, boastingly.
But If you both withdraw, will you
seek to me renominated?"
II will say this much: was the
unanimous choice of the Populist conven-
t.ion and if my party wants me to with
draw I will not lift my hand in order to
get the place again. If they see fit to
place me there It is all well enough"
Mr.. CampbelFs aggressiyeness in the
campaign is of a puzzllng nature to many
of the local Democrats and they don't
quite understand his attitude but 1t would
appear that ne is forcing the issue.
The resignation of Mr. Campbell has
been placed in the hands of the Seventh
district congressional central committee
subject to the conditions stated in the
proposition. His views in regard 10 the
matter are stated in the following ex-
tract from his letter TO Mr.. Duvai:
Il viii leave it for others to say
whether or not the two parties were
equally represented, or whether the ap-
portionment, giving one 126 delegates and
the other 1l7. was equitable, when com
pared with the actual vote Of the two
parties in the district. The two conven-
tons adjourned, and the situation has re-
manned unchanged.
1T has always been my belief and |
judgment. that, for many reasons. which |
1 win not stop here to enumerate, sue
cess IN this district depends upon the |
of a Popul!st I believe that |
IL the Populists OF this district are re-
quired 20. and do vote for a Democratic |
ticket. and do vote for a Considerable !
number OF Democrats on the state ticket. |
that that IS as far as they can be induced |
70 go, or ought TO go; and that II they are /
asked to vote, in addition TO the above. /
for a Democratic for congress in the /
Seventh district, that some man repre- /
ssnting some other political party viii be |
nominated for congress in this district, |
and viii receive some votes from that |
overworked element.
These are my views as a citizen. and /
not as a candidate. To be candid with i
you. IL IS not possible FOR both OF as 70
be elected, and not al all probable that
either OF US viii BE- II each continues In
the race. and IL view " what occurred
IL the two conventions. u 81 ny 5U6E-
nent that ths Democratic rarity should
,oncede the place 20 the Popuiists: and
that I having received The nomination
from the Pooui!st convention. shouts be
allowed 70 make the race But a. you
and those q your party leaders Who
-avo-e3 your nomination have net .r.ii-
,sted az any tine. a. or since ihs egs-
reation. that they O. you. are ling
nat you should Withdraw from fhs yace.
n my favor. have e0ncIuie5 %. au5
hereby make you the following ptcso-
auon a. the Only solution of ias s5Ua-
son that seems possible"