The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-08

fact that most of the leaders of the Pop
| ulist organization are avowed believers
| in its principles. Kansas is cratic. 1t
blames the doings of providence on the
| administration, especially if the doings
are not to its liking. Hard times and
poor crops created the Populist organi-
cation. Should there come another per-
iod of depression there need be no sur
prise if the Socialist movement gains
many adherents- 1t may never become a
dominant force in state politics, but so
determined-fanatical might be a better
word-are the advocates of the new
movement that it is likely to become a
force to be reckoned with in the political
field.
The Socialists say that they will cast
$4,000 votes this year. 1t is an exaggera-
ton, but If they get half that number
1t Will insure Populist defeat, for prac-
t1cally every vote will come out of the
Populist column. Further, the counties
that have 100 to 200 Socialist votes each
will generally on that account elect Re
publican officers, even If there We're no
other determining cause, and this is
worrying the Populists. In response to
their appeals the Socialists say they are
going to defeat Bryan and his followers
If possible, regardless of who is bene-
flied by their action. 1t is on the whole
a peculiar situation, and yet one not to
be surprised at in Kansas
The of-the-road Populist party
will have a national ticket probably, but
1t will cut little figure in local politics
There is practically no following in state
politics for that party, and no county
organizations. Indeed, this year the two
large parties have had difficulty in Sc
curing representatives at their prim-
aries and conventions. In the country
precincts the farmers have been too
busy for politics, and the fact that it is
a national campaign does not arouse
them as in former years The picnics
and paradeS attempted thus far have
but very tame aaffirS, though there
may be a change in the fall when the
excitement becomes more intense. and
the committees are at work and the
Rough Rider comes this way.
1t may be the result of new issues or
of lack of old-tfne enthusiasm, but
picturesqueness is not as common a fea-
ture of the present campaign as in for
mer years. The calamity orator who
dressed in shabby attire and told the
farmers that they were degraded and
downtrodden serfs is not SEEN The
POpulist speakers wear tailor-made
suits and much jewelry. Jerry Simpson
leather shoes. The Great Red Dragon
literature is also lacking. Coins
Financial School" lies hyspecked among
the ten-cent library novels in the dus-
test corner of the village stationer's
store. The Populist candidate for gov
ernor rides on passes and openly ac-
knowledges it His only regret is that
he has no Pullman car pass also This
is different from the old-time regime
and shows a liberaliZing spirit on the
part of all parties. There is less bit
terness, less abuse. less distrust in the
newspapers Formerly when a Repub-
iican paper offered few remarks call
ing the Populists frauds, demagogueS,
and regulators, the Populist subscrib-
ers to the number of two or three hun
bred stopped their subscriptions and
perhaps. licked the editor. When the
Populist paper charged the Republicans
with corruption they sued him for libel,
but that has mostly passed away. Both
sides argue principles more and abuse