The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-18
UNDER NEW FLAG.
Proposed to Nominate an Inde-
pendent State Ticket.
Fusion Movement to Discard
Names of Both Parties.
EDITOR EMMONS' PLAN.
Delegate to Populist Convention
Explains His Scheme.
Attempt TO Build Up DemOcra-
tic Party Here Won't Succeeds

One of the propositions that will be
made when the Democrats and Pop
ultsts meet in their state conventions
here on August will be that state
ticket be nominated as an independ-
ent ticket and not under the name of
either party. This proposition is
made by c. H. Emmons, of Hill City,
one of the leading Populists of the
Sixth district and it will have other
hackers.
1t is argued that this sort of a plan
would make the state campaign strict
ly on stat issues. 1t would leave both
the Democrats and Populists free TO
put up presidential electors on their
respective national tickets, but ii
would enable them to fuse without
either party getting the advantage of
the other in the matter of prestige.
Mr.. Emmons is a delegate to the
Populfst state convention from Gra-
ham county He is editor of the Hill
City Reveine. In discussing his plan
he says:
Il note an evident desire ON the
part of some Republicans to see the
opposition to the Republican party
get together in order to make the de-
feat of T. T. Kelly possible and to
further the interests of some needful
state reforms. In view of the results
of the Democratic national conven-
ton, fusion under either the Demo-
cratic or the Peoples party head
would be waste of time. Any fusion
between two such diScordant elements
could be nothing more than a me-
chanical mixture which no amount of
shaking could make takeable. A
party ticket with an unqualified en-
dorsement by the Democrats would
not produce hopeful prospect.
If there be anything in the indie
papers as the Atchison Globe, the
Leavenworth Times, the Lawrence
Gazette, the Ottawa. Herald the Pao,a
Republican, the State Journal AMI a
dozen or so of less noted papers that
the Republican party in Kansas needs
at least a partial defeat this year. why
could they not be induced to support
an independent state ticket. whose
from all parties? A ticket nominated
to win must commend itself to that
large class of Independent RepubIi-
cans who believe they serve their
party best wheE they oppose dishon-
eSty and corruption in their own
party. when there is an opportunity to
improve the conditions by supporting
the nominees of some other party.
And surely that class of voters can
be more easily persuaded into such a
purihcatton movement if they can be
made to feel that their action is not
assisting a movement that will be a
permanent barrier to their own
party's success. If such a movement
can be made to bear the fruits of a
better class of officials and to bring
about certain needed reforms in the
state, why need any partisan COM
plain that it is a waste of time in
building up his particular political
party?
Amy attempt to build up the Demo-
in
necessarily be a failure. If the People's
party is willing to waive it's opportuni-
ty to rehabilitate itself and Join in a
popular movement in behalf of a bet
ter administration of state affairs, sure
ly the Democrats and Independent Re
publicans could do much. A ticket
of clean business men headed by Judge
Dale for governor, David Overmyer
for congressman t-large, and other
nominees taken from other parties who
are characterized by the same degree
of fitness and ability, would command
the respect and admiration of the whole
people regardless of party affiliations
Such an arrangement made and based
upon the interests and welfare of the
state would be respectable; but a fus-
ion of two parties wholly at variance in
their political principles cannot and
should not succeed.
AT the former Peoples party con-
vention which was adjourned to meet
in August / made a talk before an in
formal gathering of delegates in the
parlor of the National hotel advocating
this same thing. 1 based my conclus-
ions upon the probable result of the
Democratic national convention which
contention for the only feasible plan of
getting together in a contest that will
mean something to the citizen who is
not a politician"
Concordia. July 1s-A meeting of Fifth
district Democrats will be in Concordia
such action as is necessary on the forth
coming convention which will meet in
Topeka, August 3. Many other matters
will be talked over. The Fifth district
Democrats have always been known to
work unftedly, and are recognized as
having the best organization OF any
in the state. When they go after any
thing they usually get it. One of the
district delegates in the st. Louis con-
vention supported Parker for president
and should Parker be successful, W.
H. L. Pepperell, of this city, can have
the postoffice or any old thing he wants
Congressional matters will be discuss
ed tomorrow and either Saline or Dick
inson counties can have the candidate.
Judge F'lack of Abilene. and Judge r.
o. Lovitt of Salina, are the most men
toned for congress.
T. NJ Dolan, of Clifton, who was a
visitor to the st. Louis convention, is
talked of for the Democratic nomina-
tion for state treasurer. His name will
also come up in the Concordia meeting.
If he gives consent he can have solid
support from the Fifth district.
The Democrats of the Washington
county senatorial district appear to be
favorable to Frank INNING. ex-post-
master at Hanover, for the nomination
for state senator Other names men
toned are DR.. N. NJ. Smith and ]. w.
Rector of Washington.
John Doyle, of Belleville. ex-member
of the legislature from Republic coun-
ty, will hardly be present at the Con-
cor6ia meeting, for the reason that he