The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-25
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Populist Convention Promises
to Be Interesting.
Anti-Democrats Are by No
Means Scarce.
HANNA'S PLAN FAVOR
An "American" Union Ticket
Might Be Satisfactory.
Burton People Thrown Into
Spasms by Caldwell.

While there are at present few as
pirants for places on the Populist tick
ct, it is by no means improbable that
the coming Populist convention on
February II will be one of the live
hest of the year. The indications point
to a hard fight over the proposition to
go into the Democratic party. There
are strong forces on both sides OF the
question, while a number within the
asst week have taken the middle
ground proposed by ex-senator George
Hanna, of Clay county.
The majority of the Populist papers
which have expressed themselves on
the subject are radically opposed to the
Democratic invitation Conner Davies,
of the Concordia Kansan, who is recog-
nized as one of the brainiest men in
the Populist camp, is leading the anti
Democratic fight in northern Kansas,
with the Belleville Freeman and the
Clay Center Dispatch seconding it, In
the southern part of the state the
Wichita Commoner, w. J. Babb's pa
per, is against the proposition.
The proposition of Senator Hanna for
the Democratic and Populist cOnven-
tions to meet together, after reorganlz-
ing their state committees, and noni-
nate a joint state ticket under the
head American Ticket" is meeting
with considerable favor, particularly
as it seems to be along the idea Sug-
gested by Senator Harris. 1t is admit
ted that such ticket would have TO be
placed on the ballot by petition, but it
is argued that this could be easily ac-
complished.
difference of opinion in the state con-
Vention to make it interesting. There
will be nothing ''cut and dried" about
it.
The announcement in the State Jour
nal few days ago that W. W. Cald-
well, of Concordias is being groomed
by his friends as a candidate for lieu
tenant governor, caused all kinds of
CONSERVATION in the Burton camp and
the wires promptly set to work TO
block any candidacy on CaldWelfs part.
1t at once became apparent that Dave
Hanna is one of the fixtures on the
Burton slate CaldwellS candidacy
would likely hurt Hanna and for that
reason the Burton people are anxious
to keep him from running. They may
be successful. Caldwell would like the
place but he wants to be coaxed, and
there will be no great amount of coax
ing this year.
The Scandia Journal declares in ia
vor of young man for United States
senator, but it doesn't say whom Long
or Curtis would either answer the de-
scription, and Stanley is by no means
ancient
Frank Nelson continues to receive a
great deal of encourag cement to run for
a third nomination for state superin-
tendent, but the encouragement comes
from teachers and school men, The
politicians, the fellows who fix the con-
ventions and pull the wires, are not
saying anything to Nelson There is
little doubt but Nelson has the
people who are most interested in the
schools on his side, but that doesn't
give him the nomination. The polite
ians are privately talking against him.
The third term idea isn't considered
good politics. even if it should be
good for the schools. 1t is among the
politicians that Mr.. Nelson is liable to
fall down.
The Republican congressional COM
mittee in the Seventh district has been
called to meet at Hutchinson next
Thursday evening, to fix the time, place
and representation for the congressiOn-
al convention. There is little interest
in the matter, as the convention will
simply be sort of ratification meet
ing and Congressman Long will be re-
nominated by reclamation.
Nearly every paper in the state re-
marked the past week that Lit has
lit
Congressman -at-large Scott is MAX
ing himself solid with the people VINO
like to get congressional seeds. Con-
gresham Scott has no special district
to represent, so he has been making a
speciality of looking after his seed dis
tribution, and he is making great hit
at it, too, The Oberlin Eye says:
'.Chas. F. Scott, congressman-at at-large.
has distributed his quota of garden
seeds throughout every county in Kan
sas- One hundred packages were sent
TO Decatur county, and have already
been received by those whose names
were furnished This promptitude on
the part of Mr.. Scott will enable those
receiving seeds to make use of thenV
this year Quite often there is so great
a delay in the sending of seeds that the
summer is gone and the harvest is end
ed before the packages reach their des-
tination."
The Sixth district congressional con-
vention Will probably be held at Colby
this year
The Lincoln Sentinel announces that
f w. Wellington now considers that
he has Osborne county solid for him
and against Reeder.
The question raised by the State
Journal a few weeks ago, rs the Old
Soldier in Politics Passing?'' is still
newspapers of the state In referring
TO the article Governor Riddle, of the
Minneapolis Messenger, says:
Beyond any question, some of the
old soldiers who figured largely in pol
itics have passed. Probably never again
will old soldier occupy the presi-
dents chair in Washington, although
there are yet many old soldiers strong
in politics and statecraft. who could
fill this position and not claim great
er weight of years than some presi-
dents we have had.
'sThere is one class among the old SOL
dierS which has surely passed The
great leaders of that conflict are either
dead or feeble with age These men,
for the most part, welded a powerful |
influence in politics while they were vet
alive and active. but their time is |
passed. They were middle-aged men |
during the civil war. and thirty-five |