The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-04-07

township OF OLuSIWlSc, III Tue COuuty,
Almost to a man, however, they are
ardent admirers of Mr.. Bryan, and
gave loyal support to the fusion state
ticket. Among Kansas democrats
there are a good many of the Cleve-
land variety, or, perhaps, more prop
erly speaking, the "anything-to-win,"
band-wagon brand; and these men
were always persistently pushing
themselves to the front in every fu-
sion arrangement. This made 1t diff
ficult for Smith county populists to ac-
cept cooperation; but they did it. AS
one of them expressed it to me, I'VE
fused with Bryan-not with the DEM
ocratic party
Finally, in 1902, the election law
had made cooperation impossible as
heretofore, and the attempt resulting
in a state ticket composed Of demo-
Gratis and populists and one republi-
can-Webb McNall-which went on
the official ballot as "a democratic"
ticket, the populists of Smith county
were induced to abandon their time
honored custom of going it alone in
county matters. They fused with the
democrats on county ticket-and
got clicked out Of their boots"
Following the defeat of 1902 the
Smith County Journal, which there
tofore had been a staunch populiSt
paper, and had received thousands of
dollars in county printing at the
hands of populist county officials,
Topped over to the democratic column
and left the populists without pa
per- There was no election in 1903
and, hence, no county convention that
year. Accordingly, there was no way
of telling whether the peoples party
of Smith county was dead and buried
or simply alternating.
Having no gatherings in the way
Of conventions or committee meetings,
and no newspaper talking populism,
there was no way Of knowing much
about the status of the peoples party
in Smith county. One could guess
but it would be only guess. The
convention today, with its big at
tendance and enthusiasm, Is in
marked contrast to the political con-
ditions in Smith county less than six
months ago. A bit of history may
prove interesting:
Last summer The Independent, TAX
ing as starting point a directory of
populist papers published by The Non
conformist in 1891, published few
articles regarding peoples party pa
pers and sent marked copies to the old
addresses. One of these copies fell
into the hands of J. A. Wright, cf
Lebanon, Kas. He responded with an
Of populism in Smith county, and this
led to further correspondence. When
the first $50 letters of invitation to
enroll in The Old Guard of Populism
were sent out, Mr.. Wright's name was
on the list. The records show that
his enrolment was received Decem-
Der 8, 1903-a prompt response, inas-
much as the letters were mailed De-
cember S. With his enrolment he
sent list of names of Smith county
populists, among which was the name
of Il. T. Thompson, the present chair
man of the county central committee.
Mr.. Thompson was sent an invita-
ton to enroll. His card bears date Of
December rs.
Mr.. Thompson Is young man,
level-headed. cloar-sighted. He Is pc
culiarly q man of action. Many men
know what ought to be done. but by
the time they have made up their
minds TO do Il. the opportunity has
passed. Mr.. Thompson is not OF this
mould. He Ia not rash. but he does
not procrastinate.
With his enrolment papers he sent
a dollar for the Old Guard expenses
and list of 200 Smith county popul-
lists. covering every township In the
county. Several issues OF The Inde-
pendent were at once sent To them and
later on they were invited 10 enroll
In the Old Guard OF Populism.
Up To today the only enrolled mcm-
bers from Smith county are q. w. Ae-
ton. John IL Allnway. A. J. Hammond.
Ad Kennedy. E. r. Thompson. John
w. Ward. NJ. +. Wells. iIarye l.
Wright. and Joseph A. wrlsht-nine
out OF some $50 who were Invited 10
enroll ! have expended nearly so