The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-05-09
DAVID Talks BOLD
Overmeyer Says the PopuIisl
Party Is Dead
AND CLAIMS THE CORPSE
As an Asset of the Straight
Democratic Party.
md CLAIMS THE CORPSE

Of Wichita, Chris Hoffman, Of Enter
prise. and Grant Harrington of Hiswa-
tha- John Curran, secretary of the com
mittee, mailed the letter TO Mr.. Love at
noon. and it will reach him tomorrow
morning. The committee required Mr.
Curran to promise that he would not
show his copy Of the letter TO the re-
porters.
1t has been learned from members Of
the committee that the letter contains
about 1000 words. 1t is stated in the
document as the opinion of the com
mittee that the Republicans can be de-
feated only by a union of the opposite
forces; that a successful fusion is made
impossible by the enactment Of an anti
fusion law; that many Democrats would
not consent TO a plan that would take
t47em into the Populist party. and many
P 7puists would object to going into the
Democratic party, and that the only way
out is to let 90 of the old parties and
form a new one. The committee does not
suggest a date for the proposed con-
ference.
There was strong opposition to the
scher ne in the committee, Frank Chase
Of H,syt, Ed vrey of Lindon. P. P. FL
der of Ottawa, and Grant Harrington in
sisted that the plan was not feasible,
but they were outvoted, six committee
men supporting it-W. J. Babb, Paul
Russell of Paola, H. n. Gaines Of To-
peka, J. NJ. Lewis of Kinsley, Henry
Eckert Of Larned and Secretary Curran
pushed The fight for the new party.
The proposition for a conference was
sprung by Babb at midnight last night.
The committee discussed it till $3.50
o clock this morning. when q recess was
taken till S o'clock. Upon re-convening
a ballot was taken. which resulted in
the adoption, by vote of to 4, OF the
proposition to ask for a conference with
the Democrats
The Populists expect a reply to their
letter in the near future. They have
advices that the Democratic committee
is about TO be called together, and ex-
press the belief that in view of the re-
quest for conference Mr.. Love viii
hurry" the call.
Democrats do not look with favor upon
the new party movement. WWhen in
formed that proposition had been sub
mitted to the Democratic committee.
David Overmyer said: II am not a
member of the state committee and do
not assume to speak for it or any Of its
members and whatever say I shall
say for myself alone, simply as a Dem
ocrat. This proposition, If it is what
understand it is. fills me with astonish-
ment. True I had heard that McNal
and others had made such suggestions,
but had no idea that a majority of the
Populist state committee would be will
ing. at this time, to make open proclama-
ton Of their readiness to formally aban-
don their organization,
seThis is an Indication Of 4 condition
Of disintegration which far exceeds any
thing I had supposed to be possible at
the present time. I do not know of a
single Democrat who is seeking an ave-
nue. Of escape from the Democratic party
and. While there never was a time when
the Democrats of Kansas had a more
definite purpose or more faith in their
principles than at the present time.
Even those who were originally anti
fusion Democrats are now perfectly
willing that ali the political elements
opposed to the Republican party should /
be united. and while this is true, the /
strongest fusion Democrats see clearly |
by separate organizations, and Demo- /
Gratis of all shades Of belief are of one |
opinion on the proposition that after /
such an exhibition Of toleratien and pa !
tience as the Democracy of Kansas has !
given, all ths opposing elements in this /
state ought to be willing to align them
selves under the Democratic banner, cast |
their fortunes with the Democratic party |
and participate in directing its energies
and shaping its destiny"
Certainly if conditions were reversed
and the Democratic party had no organ
ization except in one or two states and
the Peoples Party had a national organ
ization such as the Democratic party
has, and was sufficiently acceptable to
the Democrats TO have received their
support in past elections as the Demo-
cratic national candidates have received
theirs, they would not be slow TO tel
US that it was our duty to join them
and thus united the people who were op-
posed TO a common adversary.
what they would certainly expect OF
us. they ought TO be willing 10 do
am satisfied that the very men who
voted for this proposition. on reelection.
Wiz come TO the conclusion that any at
tempt TO form a new party in a single
state, disconnected from any national
party must prove an utter failure. II
VIII surely be looked upon by the public
as mere device upon Inc part of GER
tain public men 10 avoid the responsible
ity OF a holder course and escape the
embarrassment OF the present situation
But the tine has come when these men
must pluck up courage and do the right
thing, even If 1t is q little distasteful
for little while
There are men in the Peoples Party
who occupy high positions in the politi-
cal world. FoliucaI prominence i'm
poses responsibility. For such men this
IS a supreme moment Let only q few
1f these boldly point out the right way
and the masses are prepared 70 Go their
luty- Let q few OF these men svince half
he courage in council and in leadership
With which the Democratic leaders of
his state have for ten years pointed /
3ut what they believed TO be the path
y duty. even when disagreeable. and
he problem viii be solved. But lat those
lpon whom now rests the responsibility
Il leadership recou from the exercise OF
hat responsibility and their action VIII
mark lost opportunity which may ,
never be regained
There is no trouble with the rank and i
lie The trouble IS al in the minds q
he leaders and wvrld-be leaders. The :
'1l rrsssment exists only among the 7
'oliIieians. They are afraid that ia the :
general shuttle they Wiz lose their posi- {