Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1900-03-22
REEnEP NOMINATED.

ton yesterday accepted the caucus
nomination of w. a. Reeder by ec-
elamation, the snti-Reeder men de-
parted fer their homes charging bad
faith, and the Reeder men fall OF
forebodlng and doubt. Owing to
lack of organization the anti-Reedsr
men were unable TO rally tAeir forces
systematically. They could only
''eount noses" and so they were with
out organized leadership. But they
had pledges of 70 vetes-enough and
four TO spsre-to handle the caucus
and defeat Reeder The other side,
however, Was fully organized, and
what it lacked in numbers IN made ap
geReralship There were numerous
side ambitions IN the oaucus aud the
Reeder men were quick to take adj
vantage of them.
Among the antl-Reeder pledges
were Graham ceaRty's eight votes,
Llncoln's eight votes and Ellis's four
vote g, and right here the Reeder men
got in their work. Graham had q
candidate for delegate to the national
convention in the person OF D. j.
Hanna Lincoln had an aspirant for
presidential elector in the person of
f. r. Bracken. and the bill ceding
the Fort Hays military reservation to
the state of Kansas WAS IN the hands
of the president unsigned. By open
hreats the friends of Hanna and
Brscken were frightened into divid
,ng their respective delegations, and
by covert hints the people of Ellis
county were made to believe that if
Reeder were defeated some myster
IoHs influence would cause the presi-
dent to veto the coveted bill. So in
came when the roll was called on the
motion to have a secret ballot, that
the anti-Raader men were astonishe5
to hear a divided vote announced
by Graham and Lincoln counties Cd
the question, and the Ellis county
delegates turn squarely about and
vote solidly on the side of Reader.
This completely turned the tables.
Instead of the result being 70 fer
secret ballot and go for sn open one.
it was 80 AYES and IA nays
This ended the contest for the in
-fnence of federal patronage made it
dangerous for many in the caucus. ne
matter what might he their eenvie-
ton or sympathy. to vote openly
against Read4r and the resHlt of the
ballot on a choice of candidates was
exactly the same-74 for Reeder and
go for the other candidates.
The hue and cry was at once raised
against d. j Hanna by the anti
Reeder men and r Burrow. who
was running with him for delegate,
- h. IzViRn hnf tho
question of national committeeman
WAS at stake and Hanna was elected.
Bnrrow was also chosen Reeder'e
leaders were wiling to fight Burrow,
hut he had made combinations that
saved him. When it came to presi
Dental elactor, the line was more
closely drawn and the Reeder men
savad Brackan.
On the floor of the caucus John O.
Royce of Philips county led for
Raedar end Hayes White of Jewell
FOR Haskell, and the bard fight be
tween them came on the question OF
a secret ballot. Royce supporting
motion TO amend by making 1t an
open ballot, predicted defeat in the
district if Reeder was turned down.
He said that the republican party
his year would be confronted by a
close and determined fusion of all the
opposing elements, and that II the
caucus should stab Reeder in thu
back and in the dark, as the secret
ballot meant, it would drive awRy
many honest voters. White, replying,
said that secret ballot meant fair |
ballot; that the brayest men of the |
district wanted leader OF courage |
and ability, one who could open bis |
mouth in congress without shsmiDg |
his constituents. More than this, be |
said, by voting secretly the menace |
of federal patronage woHld not hover |
like an aveDger over the caucus The /
caucus was behind closed doors. but |
the reporters stationed at a window |
on the leeward eide of the hall heard /
all that was said, and promptly |
passed the information to the waiting |
multltude outside.
Although the convention was dom
mated by men who sympathize with
j 3 Burton and whose friends SNUFF
fed danger to the state and, cense
a uently, to the legislative ticket in
inc reorganization of Rseder, federal
patronage was 3 stronger force than
Barton's personality. sad saved /
Reeder This, however, was Offset
aftsrward by accepting the candi- /
dates OF the Burton men for national
delegates, and ct the close of the
when Burton addressed
1t. the delegates were enthusiastic in |
their demonstrations of favor.
Reeder's denomination neither |
strengthened nor weakened the tick |
ct. If he had withdrawn ten 3sys /
ago 3 different feeling might have |
set IN, but the fight proceeding IS II
did to a show of teeth in the ca1cns.
has last q aore placa in the party thai |