The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-11
THERE WILL Be TWO
Convention for Delegates and
Congressional TO be Separate
DENNIS LYNN WANTSIT so
While Chairman Grimes De-
cIares He Isn't Opposed to 1t

two Republican territorial conventions
this year, the congressional convention
folio wing the convention to select dele
gates to the national convention.
Dennis Flynn has written to friends
that he favors this. Governor Barnes
has expressed himself in the same way,
It will be remembered, in an interview in
the Eagle, and this week in an interview
in the Kingfsher Free Press. Chairman
William Grimes says that he does not
oppose the two conventions proposition,
and explains why he favored one, as well
as replying to the interview of Governor
Barnes.
The Kingfisher Free Press, which con-
tains Mr.. Grimes interview, says: There
has been so much said recently on the
question of one or two conventions, pro
and con, that the Free Press sought out
Chairman Grimes the other day, before
the reverberation of Governor Barnes
artillery had died away, to see whether
he still considered himself "sfoot or
horseback" What have you got to say
now, Mr.. Grimes, about the territorial
convention business?' Queried our minis
ter plenipotentiary.
II now see that there can be reasons
for holding two territorial conventions in
stead of one which did not exist a few
weeks ago. And to start with desire to
state that 1 have no personal interest to
be subserved in any event. 1 am entirely
willing for the Republicans of the terri
tory to do whatever seems to be best
Some weeks ago conditions were some
what different than what they are now,
and without giving the matter any par
ticular thought, I expressed myself in
favor of only one convention At that
time it looked as though there would be
early and favorable consideration of the
free homes bill. In that event it seemed
10 me that all parties would favor the
denomination of Flynn, and that the feel
Ing would be so strong that he could not
afford TO refuse to accept it. With that
view in mind I could see no necessity for
holding two conventions. I do lot think
there is much in the suggestion of con-
flict between the Republicans of Okla
homa and the Republican national con
vention. Political conditions are entirely
ago, and such differences as then existed
among Republicans have no existence
now. Republicans are now everywhere in
harmony on all important questions of
party doctrine and policy. One of the
principal reasons that might now favor
two conventions is that there may be con-
ditions under which there will be several
candidates for the Office Of delegate to
congress. I doubt whether this is true.
but as such a contingency seems to be
considered. of course it is apparent that
all changing influences and combinations
In the nomination OF a candidate for con
gress and the selection of delegates to the
national convention should be avoided, and
every man given a fair and equal
chance"
You have seen the statement of Cover
nor Barnes in regard to the defeat of the
Republican party of this territory three
years ago and the causes that brought it
about. What have you to say in regard
TO that?'
HE appears to attribute Mr.. Flynn's
defeat four years ago to the fact that he
was nominated prior to the meeting of the
national convention: that the Republican
territorial
vention was not in entire harmony with
the national platform, etc do not think
that these features had much to do with
Mr. Flynn's defeat. There was wide dis
agreement at that time among Republi-
cans everywhere. and especially in the
west northwest and south. upon the
money question, and these differences
conld not be healed prior to the election
OF that year. There are other facts to be
taken into consideration In 1894 the COM
bined vote of the Democrats and Popu-
lists of this territory was about ten thou
sand more than the Republican vote. This
had to be overcome. The first fusion Of
The opposition forces was in the next cleo
uon. lsS5 when IL was stronger than II
ever has been since. The issue growing
out of the money question. especially
here in the west was strongly in their
favor, but with all the opposition ele-
ments and other adverse influences ar
rayed against him. Mr.. Flynn was only
defeated by 1,16S votes out of a total Of
$500. / challenge comparison of the man
agement Of that campaign and its results
with those OF any other state or territory
west Of the Mississippi river. To question
the intelligent and successful results of
that campaign, Is 10 cast an unjust i'm
putation upon the hundreds and thousands
OF loyal Republicans Of this TERRITORY
who worked night and day for the suc-
cess Of the ticket. I Will also add thar
] have never Yet heard Of a SINGLE Re.
publican in this territory who voted
against the ticket st that time because
OF The early nomination Of Mr.. Flvnn.'
What have you TO say Of the charge
that prominent Republicans were ru5el,-
treated by the territorial COMMITTEES et i+s
meeting when the time for holding the
convention was fxedrr
We'll 1 simply deny II There r., or
was time in the history Of the territory
thar the right TO be heard before The
committee on any party question was de-
med during the time I have hen i-s
chairman. OF course. II is true hat the
men named by Governor Barnes as bsy-
ing been ignored and mistreated." were
men Of high standing in the party. and
they uiuered with the committee as 70 the
time Of holding the congressional couver-
ton But. was ii not true. also. that thu
members OF the committee and luther
leading Republicans present AZ hat meet
Ing had inst as good a right tn their
opin4ons as The gentlemen to whom COW
ernor Barnes referred. or course. the
added insinuation that 1 rudely coercea
members Of the committee into adopting
my views is absurd and entirely rratui.
tcus
What have YOU to say about the gov
erno-'s suggestion that none but tried
and true Mckinley Republicans should
be sent to the Philadelphia convention 90
well only have this - sa,.. , Z,