The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-07-11
For Congress.

For Congress.
Now that q Convention has been called for the
nomination of member of Congress from this
District, it is properly in order TO place before
the people candidates for the position, with rea-
Sons why they should lie chosen. The first
points to be taken into consideration are fitness
and soundness of principle, and party har-
mony. The man who is true Republican, who
is competent to fill the office, and who can be
supported with the greatest unanimity by th,
Republicans of the District, is the one who
should be preferred above all others. The fact
cannot be disguised that Col. Phillips will not
ill the requirement in the latter particular.
OF his ability and soundness there is ques-
ton; but that he has lost the power to harmon
ize, is too plain to dispute. He has now held
the Office for three terms, and the feeling of the
Western people for change and rotation is be-
coming restless There are reports regarding
his habits, which, true or untrue, are believed by
many, and have created strong prejudice
against him. But the most widespread oppo-
sition arises from the fact Of his having secured
support by making promises which he could not
fulfill, and in many cases made no effort to full
fill. On the other hand, he is placing men in
position for the purpose of recruiting new sup
porters to fill the places of those whom he has
failed to keep faith with. A man who is not
true 10 his friends and his promises, soon loses
earnest supporters. The feeling against Col.
Phillips was SO strong two years ago, that it
came near dividing the party in this District.
That feeling, SO far from being allayed, has been
intensified during the past two years, and it is
extremely doubtful whether Col. Phillips could
command the united support of the party, if
nominated. 1t is proper, then to look for man
who will avoid these objections.
Doniphan County will send united delega-
tion in favor of q citizen of her own, who, it is
believed, is the man for the times. We refer, of
course, to Cyrus Leland, Jr. That he is a man
of the people, is shown by the noticeable fact
that he was not originally brought forward and
urged on by persons in Doniphan County. Had
it been 80, it might have been claimed that he
was being put forward through scheming of his
own, or at least by the zeal Of too partial
friends. But the first announcement of his name
came from distant part of the District; and let
ters containing requests for permission to use his
name, and promises of support, have been pour
ing in upon him from all over the District. He
has consented to make the race, and of course
his hosts of friends in Doniphan County seconed
the motion, and propose to make an old-fashion-
ed, earnest fight for him. He will have full
delegation from this County, and working del
egation, at that.
There are various other candidates. who will
have their supporters; but We believe that Mr..
Leland possesses elements that make him pre-
ferable to all others. Mr.. Guthrie is actively at
work but We see it stated in several papers
that have been friendly to him. that he does not
expect the nomination himself, but will devote
his energies to defeating Col. Phillips. As he
was the opponent of Phillips at the time when
the intensely bitter feeling grew up, perhaps his
nomination would fall as short of securing har-
mony as that of Phillips. Aside from these two
gentlemen Mr.. Leland is one of the best known
men in the District, and is perhaps the most
popular of any. There is no reason why the
Phillips men and the Guthrie men should not
support him, as well as the large number who
have not been particularly attached to either.
Mr. Leland is essentially man of the people.
His business, all his life, has been with the farm
ers and the common people, who compose the
voters. He is thoroughly acquainted with their
sentiments and their wants, and it is with them
that he is most popular. He is a genuine Re-
publican, and on the financial and other ques-
tions of the day. is in accord with the great mass
of the people of the State. Although having
been prominent as a working Republican ever
since he was old enough to vote. he always
draws SO heavily from the Democratic vote, that
he has seldom had an opposing candidate, when
running for Office in this County. He is popular
wherever known, whether it be among the peo-
pie, or among the politicians who usually con-
yregate at Conventions. He is on perfect equal
ty with all whom he is in contact with. and |
aoes not rise beyond the reach of those to whom
he is indebted for his election. He is an untir-
ng worker, aud never fails to be there, when |
york is to be done. If elected to Congress- he |
would probably fall short in one respect-he |
would not fill many pages in the Congressional |
Record with speeches, and his constituents would |
probably not often receive the Record with leaf |
urned down and ink marks drawn to call their
attention to speeches never delivered; but when
here was work to be done, or interests of the
District to be looked after, he would be found
IN hand. And, not the least virtue of ALL he is
rue to his friends and will come as near fulfill
ng his pledges as it is possible for man to do.
Such is the candidate Doniphan County will
resent to the Convention. If man is wanted
Who will poll the full Republican vote of the
district, and good deal more if they prefer
york to talk; if they want Congressman who
viii be on hand from the rising of the sun to the
DING down of the same, this is the man they
re looking for. Nominate him, and there is no
oubt of his election.