The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-07-04


The peoples party state convention
was large and enthusiastic gathering.
The fusion proposition was thoroughly
discussed, and the debate was at times
sparp, but friendly. There was diff
ference of opinion as to methods, but
otherwise there was substantial agree
ment as to fusion.
The majority was in favor of filling
out and nominating the democratic
ticket The minority favored the nom
ination of what has been often called
"split ticket" of candidates for Offices
left vacant on the democratic ticket,
and to be filed with the secretary of
state as the peoples party ticket, and
thereby preserving the standing and
identity of the party in the state. On
these propositions the vote stood 1925
for the former proposition to 274115
against it. 1t was urged against the
latter proposition that thousands of
votes would be lost through the con-
fusion that would inevitably result
from voting a split ticket. The resoJu-
ton which carried was as follows:
Resolved, That this convention rec
ommend candidates for the various
places on the state ticket, including
state superintendent of schools, not
fled by the democratic convention,
and then forward the names of such
candidates to the democratic conven-
ton with the request that the demo-
cratic convention nominate them and
report that fact to this convention.
That in the event of such nomina-
tions being made by the democratic
convention that our convention then
proceed and nominate a full ticket
made up of the same candidates as the
democratic, ticket.
That our state committee be in
structed TO file with the secretary Of
safe a certificate of the nominations
so made and demand, then and there,
that the peoples party ticket be placed
on the ballot with the democratic
ticket.
That IN the event of a refusal on the
part of the secretary of state to place
both the democratic and peoples par
ty tickets on the ballot, our state cen
trail committee is instructed to take
such legal steps as to it shall seem
best to test the validity Of the anti
fusion law and secure the peoples
party its rights under the state con
stitution.
The following is brief history of
peoples party elections in the state of
Kansas:
The first convention of the peoples
party was held in Topeka August 13.
1880, at which P. P. Elder, of Franklin
county, was chairman, and Ben @.
Rich of TregO county, was secretary.
John F. WiIlltts was the candidate for
2 governor In this campaign there was
a three cOtnered fight on all the can
dictates except for attorney general,
John n. Ives having received the nom
lnatlOn OF both the populists and the
democrats, aud be was elected by q big
majority. The vote for governor that
year Wss-Humphrey, republican, lis.
143; Wil1itts, pOpniist, 1O6.S41; Robin
son, democrat, 1922 Humphreys
plurality was 1892, which vas a minor
s ity OF q, 40 Of the popular vote. 1t is
the general belief Of a large number of
people of the state that WflIitts was
elected governor aud was counted out.
The second PsoPle.s-party state con
ventiOR was held in Wichita June Is.
#7sfS92-1 This Was the convention that
ROmiBated "a ID. LeWelling for Cover
nOr- The ticket nomiDsted at Wichita
was endorsed By the democrats aud
the vote for governor was as follows.
IeweIEnR, 163, 507; Smith, republican.
E 150,045. LeWslliBg's majority was B.
432. age
The third state convention was held
in Topeka June y, 1894, and the entire
state ticket elected two years before
vas renomiDated, With the exception