The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1874-02-12
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The fcsblc attempt of tho sclf-stylcd
saeformers" to organize new party in
Kansas was ludicrous. Patiently had
these fellows awaited the assembling OF
the Legislature, at which time they were
intending to mako fearful raid upon
the Republican party. They gathered a
lobby at the State capitol, which was to
help on their victory. And such lob
by 1t reckon in It's ranks all the played
out politicians in the State. These were
the men who were to do the ''outside
work" for the greet party OF reform
The Legislature assembled and the "ic'
formers" endeayored to elect speaker
They failed in that. They cndcavored
to control the organization Of the
House. They failed in that. They cab
ed caucusses in the interest Of the new
party, but the benches were always near
iy empty; and those who did assemble
composed but a handful of scedy fellows
who had no uniform opinions, and each
one of them had his style Of "conplet
ing the organization" York wanted tc
lead, and SO did half dozen others o.
his ilk. In the House tho movement,
vas "laughed to scorn" by able Republi'
cans, who "stole their thunder" ut every
turn. Before the day set for the election
of the Senator, the whole movement had
dissipated and was fading away like any
other farce. The last groan of the
movement was heard when tho "Gentle.
man from Sedgwick' about to revelu,
tionize the country and told US to re-
member France. The day for Commun.
lists in America had not arrived, and such
bisotry even in the garments of a new
party was not to be tolerated in the leg.
islative body of Kansas. His words
we're met with shower OF hisses-and
that was the last that we heard Of the Re.
ierm party. In the election of Senator
Harvey, the "Reformers" claimed no vic.
tory, but a signal defeat. Eighteen OF
their men-the remnant of that great
party of Reform which was to ovcrturn
things generally-still voted together
and cast their sutfrages for Simons. Per
haps they thought it was "Simon, the
Cobblcr," who ought to be the patron
saint of such a ludicrous attempt at
Communism" Its legislative leaders
are laid on the shelf, and its lobby lead
ers have not been taken off the shelf.
The movement, in fact, is wholly and
in statu quo. The Legisla-
turs will soon adjourn and not one
footstcp of progress for the move
ment has been made. The Republican
party of Kansas is stronger and Is doing
the work Of publication in its own
ranks. 1t has Just elected a senator,
and the fact of his being an honest and
reliable man has disconnected the oppo-
sition, who had wished and prayed for
the election of another Caldwell-if he
was to be elected by Republican MAORI
~. The 'new party" is scattered like shot
from "back-acting" doubIe-barrel shot
gun-both barrels having gone of. 1t
can not recupcrate. 1t can figure but as
''small potatoes" in next falls campaign,
when the regular Republican ticket will
receive larger majority than ever
Some able men Of the State, who at first
were perhaps inclined toward the move
ment, are disguised, and will work with
The Republican party hereafter-even
some who have not done SO before.
Farewell to the " Reform( y" party.
LITTLE EAccIp