The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-17
ONLY Ten HERE.
POpuliSt Conference Today Was
Not Large.
Mr.. EdgertOn, of Colorado, Big
Man of the Meeting.


If you have an idea that ]. a. Edger-
ton, who was the prime mover in the re-
cent reorganization Populist convention
at Denver, and who called the confer
ence of the Kansas Populists in Topeka
today is an old time Pop of the crank
variety you are badly mistaken. IN
stead he is shrewd. smootn-raced
young man who bears no resemblance
whatever to the Populist of the funny
papers. He formerly resided at Lincoln,
Neb. But he left there four years ago
and has been an editorial writer on the
Rocky Mountain News. He is now on
his way east to do similar work on the
New York Journal.
Mr.. Edgerton is chairman of the ma
tional reorganization committee of the
PopuliSt party, which was formulated
at the Denver convention in July. The
real object of the conference which he
called to meet in Topeka today is to
stir the Populists up and to select
member for Kansas of the reorganiza-
tion committee. This will be done late
this afternoon or tonight
There were only ten Kansas Populists
present al the conference at the ThrOop
hotel this morning. but there had been
misunderstanding concerning the
time of the meeting. and the majority
are expected in this afternoon. Neither
Judge w. ]. Babb. chairman of the
Populist state central committee, nor
]. II. Curran, its secretary, were pres
ent this morning. Babb is expected
this afternoon, and Curran, although
living in Topeka. telephoned that he is
too busy to attend the conference
Those present at the beginning. besides
Mr.. Edgerton. were Major A. NJ. Har-
vey. who was elected chairman of the
conference; r. F. Creek. of Pratt. secre-
tary; Senator M. A. Householder, Co
Ir-,. he. To-
Sinsley Graphic; Harvey Eckert, ed
itor of the L.arned Tiller and Toiler: J.
s. Cobb. editor of the Salina Union; S.
=. Gebhart, editor of the Pratt Union
p. H. DOlan of Salina and Albert
Griffin. of Topeka.
The morning session of the confer
ence was short and informal. Expla-
nations were offered as to why more
planned the movement started at Den
yer in July, and explained that he
wanted this conference to name
member of the national organization
committee. 1t was also suggested that
a member Of the regular Peoples party
national committee be named to sue
ceed Jerry Simpson, who has moved
out of the state but this action would
regularly belong to the Populist state
committee. An adjournment was then
taken to o'clock this afternoon 1t
which time it is expected that Chair
man Bahb and other prominent Popu-
lists will be present.
This conference is only one of a series
which Mr.. Edgerton is holding on his
way east. The series takes in every
state from Kansas to Pennsylvania. The
list of dates and places of these confer
ences is as follows:
Missouri, Chillicothe. September 10.
Illinois, Springfield. September p.
Indiana, indianapolis, September "a.
Ohio, Columbus, September 26.
Pennsylvania, Harrisburg September
%.
Mr.. Edgerton believes that the Cleve-
land wing of the Democratic party Will
control next year and name the presi
Dental nominee. and while he does not
say so, he evidently believes that this
action will cause big bolt among the
Bryan Democrats. and he proposes 10
have national organization to catch
them.
was started at Denver in July. and Of
which / was elected chairman" he said.
lis for the purpose Of stirring up the
Populists where they are lukewarm. re-
viVing state organiza tions where they
have been allowed to Lapse. and get
things i'm shape for the contest next
year. l do not know whether the ma
tional ticket viii be nominated under
the name PopUlst or some new name
altogether. and | do not care That will
be a matter for the national convention
to determine.
THE two wings of the old Populist
party have been hdrmOnlZed. ana look
for the POpulist party itself to be re-
Vived and national ticket pur IN the
neld under that name. but that is i'm
material You know in 1899 there was
a bolt in the Populist national commit
tee and the southern Populists went OF
hy themselves. They came together at
/ the Denver meeting. and the executive
committees of the national committees
of the two wings will meet at St. Louis
on February % and issue the call for the
national convention. 1t viii probably
be held at St. Louis or some nearby
city. possibly Springfield. Ill. There will
be a difference of opinion as to the time
Some want it held before the old party
conventions for fear an effort will be
made to fuse with the Democrats again.
For myself I would prefer that IL shall
not be held till July. until after the
Democratic convention.
There will be TO more fusion-the
miGdle-of-the-road Populists need have
no fear of that. The Popuifsts have
nothing to hope from the Democrats
believe that Grover Cleveland or some
nan dictated by him will be nominated
by the Democrats for president There
is a strong movement in Wall street for
Cleveland, and in fact all over the east
Temperatures of Large Cities.
Chicago Sept III a. m. tempera-
| lures. New Work. "A; Boston, 49, Phil
adelphia IS Washington "A: Chicago,