The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-01
PlPULIS7S TO JOIH
Taylor Riddle Says They VIII
Become Democrats.
He USES QUEER LOGIC
Insists That by Journey They
VIII Swallow Democracy.


Taylor Riddle. of Marion. Kan, who
was chairman of the Populist state COM
,nittee in 1898 and who is the author of
the fusion scheme by which it is proposed
for the popuIists Of Kansas to enter the
ranks of the Kansas democracy, was at
the Carey hotel last night. While in the
city he urged his favorite scheme upon
the local politicians. To reporter for
The Eagle, Mr.. Riddle said:
u believe the Populist conference which
meets in Topeka, on February q, viii
decide to enter the Democratic party. The
sentiment among the Populists IN favor of
that proposition is growing. Marion
county, where I live. has already elected
its delegation to the state conference and
the delegation Is solid for the proposed
scheme ] travel over the state a great
deal and whenever L finish my business
III town. 1 call on the politicians and
argue in favor of the fusion plan"
According to the ideas Of Mr. Riddle
the Democratic party wiz be the one to
be swallowed If the plan is adopted in
stead Of the Populist party
THE plan is for the P0pulists to enter
the Democratic primaries" he said. las
there are three Populists 10 one Democrat
you can see that the Populists viii rule
the convention. We viii put the Demo-
cratic name over Popullst principles. The
Republican legislature by its anti-fusiOn
law left the POpulist band wagon in the
middle Of the road without any horses
r hitched TO it. A team of horses is hitch
ed to the Democratic band wagon but
there is nobody in it, We propose to
hitch the Democratic team to our band
wagon. The plan viii be satisfactory to
the rank and file of the Democratic party.
~ few 1or fss1f will
TO the plan, but the party has invited us
10 join them and we VIII co it,"
How VIII the ticket be divided" was
asked
About fve-sevenths Of the delegates TO
the convention VIII be P0nuists and YOU
ran readily see how the ticket VIII be. Til
Popuiists VIII bee magnanimOus enough 10
give the Democrats about two-sevenths of
The ticket. 4 do not think J. Mack Love
would be acceptable 10 the P0pulists for
state chairman. as he is such a prominent
Democratic leader. and I do not think he
would want the position. Personally,
would have no objection to George Z.
Pitts OF Wellington
The plan for the Populists TO enter the
Democratic party is more feasible than
any other plan that has been proposed.
Tie Democrats have a national organiza-
ton. The Populists have none. Another
advantage is that IL the plan is adopted it
VIII keep the Democrats who are discOn-
tented from assisting the Republicans by
placing third ticket in the field. Il is
asked what the recognized party would
do if such n man as iii was nominated
Tor president. It would support him about
as much as the Populists would"
Mr.. Riddle has a plan TO prevent the
middle of the road popUlists from placing
p ticket in the field under the populist
name.
You see he said. I'VE viii enter the
Democratic party temporarily. After the
conference at Topeka a manifesto viii be
addressed 30 the Populist voters advising
them to 90 into the Democratic primaries.
The Populists viii meet and decided not 10
call Popuiist convention We VIII main
tain Populist Organization. That VIII
keep the middle of the road fellows from
doing anything. In 1904 it VIII not be nee
assary TO adopt such measures to prevent
the middle OF the readers from doing any
thing. We viii be completely in the Dem
Dcratic party then.
1T is proposed for the Populists TO 90
with the Democrats at county and con-
Eressional elections as well as at the state
election