The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-04
Kansas Populist Convention

LleT consideration. he moved, tlere-
fore, that we accept this proposition.
OF course. every man there knew
that this was the Dale plan without
change of even punctuation mark.
But the Parker populists" were there
to enforce just such pfan; and the
real populists were equally determined
that it should not be done, even if
they were compelled to bolt"
Col Fred j. Close got the floor and
made most persuasive plea for the
motion. The damnable outrages COM
mitted by the republican party against
Kansas should be punished, even if
we had to ~sacrince great deal The
democrats would consider no other
plan, therefore, we must yield. He
preferred the Independent ticket
plan-but the democrats would none
of it. And, for Gods sake, we mustn't
throw away this opportunity of life
time to remove the blight of Burton
ism from Kansas.
All afternoon there had been de-
mands that Would-be Candidate Dale
be invited to address the convention.
Committees on such invitation were
appointed, but they mvarra1iy failed
to find Judge Dale. He was conven-
iently ill-Topeka water is fright
and besides the hour had not yet come
for the man to appear.
But now the critical Juncture was
at hand. Calls for Judge Dale met
with success. He was in the hall, an
earnest, eager onlooher. Notwith-
standing his recent iiiness-which
was genuine, feel sure-he came for
ward and made very clever talk.
Why, of course, the democratic state
platform would endorse the ST. Louis
platform and candidates. Why
shouldn't it? Wouldn't the peoples
Springfield? Wouldn't the republican
convention endorse the action at Chi
cago? Why, of course and OF course.
But what in the worso aad that to do
with the state ticket? Why, nothing
whatever What we wanted to do,
must do. is to turn the rascaIs out,
ETC., ETC.
After that speech, Chairman Far
vey's heart swelled up bigger than
bulls. He got exceedingly gener-
Gus to the "nlid-roaders. as all were
called who objected to fusion upon
terms dictated wholly by the demo-
Gratis That is, he readily recognized
men with a penchant for long, ramb-
ling talks" and began series of
waiting moves" as we say in terms
OF chess | began to fear that no vote
would come till long after midnight
and left the hall somewhat earlier
than was really necessary to catch
Rock Island train 10.
Was it that measly number that
ADD KAN POPS-TWO
made me miss seeing John Mollison's
dramatic invitation for all true popu-
lists to withdraw, as soon as the roll
call had ended showing about to / in
favor OF being "swallowed?' Or was
it because the moon was trine to Mer-
curry? Possibly some of our eastern
astrologers can tell.
That vote was not indicative of the
true sentiment of those present. A
count of noses would have over
whelmed the motion to give up every
thing the democrats asked and go
belly-guttering and SOLDERING into the
Parker camp. But many counties
where the Joint CONVENTION rad pre-
vailed had no populists present, and
a lone democrat was on hand to cast
the vote and give an occasional
"hunch" that Parker is sure to be
elected; there'll be some postofices
changing hands, and no populist STEP
children!"