The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1878-02-14
Tom Ryan and the Third District Again.


In general way last week we dep
recated the effort being made by GER
tain parties and papers of the upper
portion of this valley to cloud the
popularity of Congressman Ryan. In
that article we exposed the animus of
the unlocked for and unexpected fight,
showing it to be desire on the part
of some for the loaves and fishes, and
upon others for revenge for some
small local grievance. We also said
Ryan had been untiring il his efforts
TO advance the interests of the people
of his district. In this connection we
will specify few acts and results as
taken frem the records which must
convince every unbiased mind of the
tenability of our position and asser-
tions last week.
Immediately after his election. for
eight months he followed up the Kaw
land matter which had been hanging
for ten years and, aided by Col Plumb,
surmounted every formidable barrier,
making several trips to Lawrence and
to Washington, until he finally tri-
umphed in securing the organization
of a satisfactory board for the apprais-
ment of the lands so that the thous-
ands of settlers might obtain their
homes at reasonable prices.
He directly fastened the action that
has brought the Cherokee strip into
market, the advertisement of which |
will be found in this paper. The land !
has long been settled, but now be-
comes taxable.
He has been zealously pressing |
measures TO subject the Usage Trust
and Diminished Reserve lands and al |
so the Sac and Fox lands TO early tax
alton. and at the same time relieving |
the settlers by giving them long time
in which TO pay the purchase money |
in small annual payments.
lie has also been working up a |
measure for determining by govern
ment the practicability and cost OF
canal and river navigation along and |
on the Arkansas river up TO the mouth |
of the Little Arkansas or mouth of |
Cow Greek. This canal question is |
this very week brought to the notice
of our readers in an ably written CON-
munication.
He has also brought out a measure |
for opening highway through the In
dian Territory of several miles in
width that Texas cattle may be driven
to the herding grounds of the Upper
Arkansas without being subject to a |
tax levied by every Indian tribe in the
course.
He has also introduced a bill for
giving the right of way to any compa-
ny who will build another railroad
across the Indian Territory.
Upon the silver question, although
somewhat conservative in his personal
views, he has stood right up for the
silver measure in voice and vote, de-
claring for the silver dollar, without
limit as to quantity coined or its legal
tender capacity.
AS regards every local interest in
his district, no man could be more
vigilant.
The Emporia Meas, in an able re-
view of the matter, punctures the pre-
tensions of the squad who are endeay-
oring 10 work up case, from which
article we make the following extract
touching Ryan:
He has made an excellent member
from all we can hear and have read
about him. He has worked faithfully
and industriously. In point of ability |
he is credit to the district. We do
not know whether he wishes 10 go ,
back or not, as we have not heard Ell
Their from him or his friends on that
point. If he does, so far as we are now
informed. we think he ought TO 90. :
Our sympathies and interests so far as ,
we entertain local feeling and preju-
dices, are with the Southwest. But
we can see no reason for change. We z
believe Mr.. Ryan is broad enough in 4,
his views 10 work for the Arkansas
Valley with the same interest as il he
lived there. We take him to be that
sort OF a man. Judge Peters now oc- d
cupies one of the most honorable AID
responsible places in the State, and be-
ing young can afford to wait if he
wants TO go to Congress. These are
our views of this matter, and if the o
for Peters comes from no l.
other motive than appears upon its II
if there is no better reason a
for. a change than has yet been stated il
if those who are urging him are doing h
SO because OF reasons personal to them d
the attempt TO make change ought q
lot TO be encouraged by the people of C
he district.
We hope the Third District will not ;.
the foolish practice of u
changing its Congressman every term, CO
and thus fritter away its strength, for b
-he sake of any of the ''yallies" within e,
is bounds. No matter where the man
zones from, if he behaves himself and
Toes well, let us keep him there long a,
enough to do the district some good. :
ui
Secretury Sherman on Kansas. al