Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-13
KANSAS AND THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.
Topeka Commonwealth,

The Republican party has moulded
directed and controlled the affairs anC
destiny of Kansas since its birth as 6
state, now twenty-six years. During the
| two years in which Kansas had a Demo
cratic governor the legislature was over
whelmingly Republican and the other
state officers were Republicans, the con
troll of the state being all the time in the
hands of the Republican party.
Has that party governed well? Has il
enacted wise laws? Has its rule prolnot-
ed enterprise. fostered agriculture, en-
couraged industry and nourished com
merce? Has it endeavored to further
morality and to promote sobriety? Has
it honestly collected and disbursed the
public revenues!
These are questions which every man
in Kansas who takes interest in the pub
lie affairs of his state, and every good
citizen does, Is called upon to answer be-
fore casting his ballot. If he answers
the questions atiirmatively he cannot
reasonably or consistently vote against
the nominees of the Republican party
for state officers. And no Democrat can
reasonably ask for the suffrages of the
people for that party unless he can
answer them negatively. We believe
we are correct in stating that SO far no
opponent of the Republican party in
Kansas has attempted to answer them
negatively: not even the candidate of
that party for governor, who IS eagerly
soliciting the suifrageS of kansans. On
the contrary, Judge Martin states that
every Kansan is proud OF the state,
proud Of its growth and development,
proud of Its institutions and proud of its
history"
In that he is right.
The marvellous growth and develop
ment of Kansas is without parallel in the
history of American states. In 1860
Kansas had population of only 107 200
and ranked as the thirJy-third state III
the union. Today the population is not
less than / ,500,00 and she ranks as the
thirteenth state. All of the other great
states were from - to 100 years in at
tanning the population that Kansas has
attained in 80 years. In 1860 less than
$50. 000 acres of land were under cultiva-
ton in Kansas: the area at present is
nearly 10000, 900 acres. In 1860 the
assessed value of the property in Kan
sas, real and personal, was less than
$23. DOC, 900: for 1887 it was nearly
800. coo. 900. There was not a mile of
railroad in Kansas IN 1864: there are
now over 5000 miles. No state has the
educational advantages that Kansas has.
Its state university, agricultural college
and normal school, are institutions of
which every kansan is proud. Our
common school system, supplemented
by dozens of denominational and private
academies and colleges, Is wonderful in
the scope and extent of Its educational
facilities. During the past twenty-seven
years Kansas has expended 10000. GOO
for school buildings and the support of
public schools. and for her institutions
for higher education. Kansas churches
and her institutions for the unfortunate
the insane. the deaf and dumb, the blind,
and the idiotic, are equally without par
allel. So, also, are her reformatory in
situations and her penItentlary. and the
latest object OF her beneficence, the in
stitution for the education OF the orphans
of old soldiers.
This marvellous growth and wonderful
development is positive proof, and proof
which no sensible man can deny or re-
flute, of the wise government OF the
state. Had 1t been inefficient and cor
rupt these would have been impossible.
Republican intelligence, Republican
policy. Republican courage, enterprise
and sagacity have framed the laws Of
Kansas. established her institutions, and
controlled every stage Of her marvellous
development
Is there anv reason why good citi-
zen OF Kansas should cast his ballot for
any party other than that which has
served the state >'well and with such
magnificent reAss, as the Republican
party: This is question which comes
home, especially to those VINO are ex-
pecting to vote with either Of the new
parties in Kansas, the Prohibition party
or the Union Labor party. This, with
the fact that every vote he casts Is a half
q vote for the Democratic party, which
has always opposed the Republican
party, whose administration Of the az
fairs of the state has yielded ssicis
splendid results, ought to deter him il