The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-06
CROSS AND
JOHNSON
COMBINE
In an Effort TO Control Demo-
cratic Patronage in
CONGRESSIONAL MATTERS
Party Leaders Are Preparing
to Defeat Plan.

: Oklahoma City, o. T.. Oct. Since
the organization Of the jefferson Demo
cratic club in Oklahoma. politics in Demo-
cratic circles have reached the stage
where combinations are already beng
. talked Of although the congressional
campaign is many months off. The re-
port of an alliance between William
Cross Of this city, who has aspirations for
seat in congress, and c. Porter John
son. who recently came here from Illinois.
has caused a stir e mong the Democrats,
and a protest is being made against such
a combination ~ leaders Of the party il
Oklahoma
J. has been well known that Cross de-
sires TO be the nominee OF the Democratic
party for congress He was once a candi-
date for congressional nominee, but was
defeated by Judge Bob Neff. This de-
feat did not dampen the ardor of Cross.
Since that time. and Immediately after
the election, tie travelling salesman has
been erecting fences" whereby the con-
gressionai plum should fall to him. There
are persons in Oklahoma who do not de-
sire To have the nomination go TO Cross.
These people have been active. Other
men have been mentioned for the place.
Cross has been seeing the leaders in order
TO ascertain just what strength he can
muster fer the battle. This investigation
evidently has not been satisfactory to
him. and hence the rumor OF a combina-
ton between himself and C. Porter John
son.
johnson came to oklahoma from Illinois
with the reputation Of being a spell
bindec" He came with the title of seaa-
tor This title evidently pleased his van
ity, for according to the reports. John
son has a desire TO be a United States
senator from Oklahoma when the time
comes. It is wen known that he is in
favor of Cross for congressman. Ite has
been working to this END for weeks
Even at this tire, it is understood that he
Will stump the territory for Cross if he
gets the nomination. and previous 10 the
nominating convention viii do an in his
power to pull the strings which VIII give
Cross the nomination. Johnson is reputed
to be an orator of no mean ability. Party
leaders fear that Johnson, il Cross is
successful. viii have close place TO the
nominee for congress.
As reward TOR his service I'm assisting
Cross TO secure the nomination, it is said
that Cross viii allow Johnson, providing
nc is elected, to nave the SAY in re-
gard 10 the patronage in Oklahoma, and
this viii give Johnson an opportunity to
arrange for his campaign when the time
is ripe for the selection OF a United
States senator.
Democratic politicians in oklahoma have
been at a loss to know why Johnson came
here There his been a feeling all the
time that ne had some Interior motive in
leaving Illinois. where he is reported to
have been IN good standing, but since the
announcement that he has allied himself
with the Cross forces and is looking for
ward to seat in the United States SEN
ate the cause for the change seems clear.
An effort Will now be made by party lead
ers TO defeat this combination between
Cross and Johnson. If the attempt if sue
cessful. it may mean that whatever
chance Cross has had for the nomination
previous to this time. he VIII be reiegated
to the mas been crowd" of the Demo
cratic party.
Roy Hoffman of Chandler has been
much talked of as possible candidate
for congress Hoffman IS anxious for a
chance at the nomination. He has had
conferences with his political adviser,
Judge Frank Dale of Guthrie, but Dale is
Of tho oninion that the tire is not ripe
for Hoffman to make the race. The
chances are that if Dale does not give his
consent TO Hoffman entering the race.
that he will wait until the time is op-
perfume in the judgment Of his adj
visers.
The Democrats have been very enthus
iastic over the jefferson club in Oklaho-
ma but from al indications. the club is
10 cause mixup among the members
that Will take months 10 eradicate the
evil effects from the membership.