The Topeka state journal., 1902-06-03
Sixth District FusiOnists De-
termined to Unite.
Anti Fusion Law Has Brought
Them Close Together.
MIR. ABEL, OF LINCOLN.
Contest Appears to Be Between
Him and Turner.
J. n. Fike is Looking on and
Awaiting Results.

Beloit. Kan, June 3.-The POpulist
convention organized at noon today by
electing Harry Gray of Osborne county
temporary chairman ana Ben T. Baker
of Smith county secretary. There were
two candidates for chairman, Mr. Gray
and. Mr.. Kay of Graham, chairman OF
the congressional committee
There was no issue except the per
sonal ambition Of the two men and the
vote stood Gray 81. Kay 40.
At q POpulist caucus held this morn
ing DIR. J. B. Dykes of Smith proposed
that the Populists and Democrats meet
In joint caucus and decide upon a nomi-
nee by a tWO-thirds vote and that each
convention then ratify the nomination
position at first to the two-thrds rule
but it was talked down.
The Democratic convention elected e.
J. Collins Of Russell chairman and John
yentions appointed the usual commit
tees.
Beloit. Kan, June 3.-There seems to
be every indication that the Populist
and Democratic Sixth congressional
district conventions, which are in ses-
sion here today, viii unite on a COM
mon candidate. There is practically no
bitterness between them, such as has
nearly always characterized the fusion
parties in the Sixth district. Although
James Fike, of Colby, the anti-fusion
Democratic leader, is here, he is not
talking for a straight Democratic can
d1date for congress. Elke seems to be
satisfied since his crowd captured the
machinery of the Democratic state CEN
tral committee.
The main reason to which is attrib-
uted the harmony of the two parties is
the passage of the anti-fusion law If
the sentiment of the delegation is any
indication the law has aSeonnDlished IN
the Sixth district just what it was in
tended to prevent. 1t has caused the
naTfiPE law aside their differ
ences and has set them at work trying
to find a plan to get together. Now
that there is a law against fusion, they
are wonderfully anxious to fuse.
There is an intense sentiment against
the law in our part of the state" said
D. J. Trefber, of Russell, ''and it is not
confined to the Populists and Demo
Gratis. The voters feel that the law is
they don't like it. A good many who
have not been much in favor of fusion
heretofore are now radical fuslOntstS.
The Lincoln county delegations to
both Populist and Democratic conven-
tions arrived last night and at once
started a hot fight for George D. Abel,
Lincoln county's candidate for congress.
They are pushers and they have the
help of the Ellsworth county delega-
ton.
7 believe Abel is the most available
candidate for the fusion nomination,
said James R Logan, one of the Lincoln
county democratic QGlGBdllOIl. WHO HAS
been here since Sunday working up
sentiment for Abel Abel knows the
Democrats all over the district but he is
not so well acquainted with the Pop
ulists But in Lincoln county, where
the POpulists know him, they are all for
him Two years ago Abel was the
fusion candidate for county attorney
and he ran 500 votes ahead of Bryan
even. That shows what Lincoln county
Populists think of him."
f S. Bower, one of the Populist dele
gates from Lincoln county, corroborated
LOgan's statement.
Lincoln county has the largest rep
resentatiOn in the Democratic cOnVen-
ton continued Mr.. Logan, "and Els
worth county has the next largest. Both
of these counties are for Abel and he
will pick up considerable scattering
strength over the district"
r. w. Turner of Mankato IS evidently
in the lead in the race, but the Smith
county delegation, who are neighbors oi
Turner, are putting up special fight
or him. The reason for this fight is
because Turner bolted the fusion nomi-
nee for judge in this district four years
ago and supported Judge Picker oi
Smith Center, the Republican nominee
who was elected. This made the Smitt
county fusiOnists angry at Turner ano
they have not yet got over 1t.
The nomination of W. E. Saum OF
Hays City for judge in his judicial dis
trict by both Popdlists and Democrat Is
against J. H. Reeder, the Republican
nominee, is pointed to as an indication
that there will be close fusion in the
Sixth district. That judicial district il
| composed Of Russell, Ellis, Trego, Cove
Logan and Wallace counties. FOu
wears ago the POpuliSts and Democrat Is
were divided and the Republicans
elected Judge Lee Monroe, but not by c
majority. This year the fusion force.
got together on Saum without trouble
and they claim they win easily eleci