Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-12
Nothing Done,

during one session Oh Ino hdnSdo leSlS-
lature. The voting power of this
secret order was absolute. 1t had two
votes to oppose every one that could
be mustered against it. If it has
failed to pass any measure through the
house which was demanded by the
subordinate lodges of the order the
failure must lie at the door OF the
representatives whom this secret order
sent to Topeka to make laws for it.
They cannot shift the burden for any
failure upon the part of the house.
1t was their duty to pass such meas
ures as their constituents demanded,
and if such measures then failed to
become laws, let the failure rest with
a republican senate and a republican
governor,
The representatives of this secret
order went to Topeka with their
pockets full of bills which they had
promised their constituents should
ldMos IL 10 u uC NnC BAOA44AGNo
were made without due consideration,
10 the heat of a political campaign,
and with the very earnest desire to
secure votes. In many instances they
were made without the least intention
upon the part of the promisors to make
any serious effort at their fulfllment.
Others were made in good faith by
men who had had no experience in leg
islatiOn, and who were holly ignorant
of statescraft-men whose political
horizon up to that time was bounded
by their township lines except posi-
BILE annual political tour to the county
seat as delegate to the convention
of their party.
If that prOverb, by their fruits
shall We know them" is applicable TO
politicians. then the latter class largely
predOminated in the house of represent
tstives. The only promise made by
the representatives of this order,
which has been carried out in good
faith is Abe literal Interpretation which
they united in giving to that old Jack
soniau adage, To the victor belongs
the spoils." The alliance members of
the house both by preeept and example
herOically defended this democratic
Renaissance. They succeeded in fill
ing every Office in sight with true
'frater" of the order. Ard not with
standing every representative of this
secret order throughout his election
campaign carried carefully prepared
bill around which provided for the
reduction of the salaries of the state
and county officers and especially the
''robber fees" of the state printer; yet
when it was learned that large major
ity of the county officers whose sala-
ries would be affected belonged to the
secret order, no fees and salaries" bill
could pass that alliance legislature.
The secret order was the victor, and
the secret order officials must have the
spoils.
Very few bills of a general nature
passed the house. Many bills were
introduced for the sole purpose
Of buncombe. Their authors never
expected them to reach a vote,
and had they come up for final
passage would have voted against
them. Others were introduced for
the purpose of giving their authors an
opportunity to air the peculiar notions
of this secret order at public expense
The principal harm done by these
oIatorical displays of political ignorance
was the discredit thrown upon ouI
state. That the members of a state
legislature should publicly consider the
question of Reputation was enough tC
destroy confidence in all our people, and
it is almost impossible for afaImer to gel
his mortgage renewed. Eastern CAPT
talists and loan companies have in
structed their agents to withdraw theil
capital from Kansas investments anC
the result is that unless a farmer il
30 situated that he can keep his inter
est paid promptly he must meet {
foreclosure. This unfortunate condi
ton of affairs has been brought abou
by the injudicious and unwise attempts
to make laws which would discrimi
nate against money owners. Outside
of passing the general appropriation
bills, the house has done nothing
which will in the least benefit tht
state. The alliance representative:
went to ToEska with the idea that il
was just as easy l. make laws for q
million and a half of PEOPLE, as tt
dictate the policy of a neighbO.- hood
debating society. They return, as
everyone expected they would, having
fulfilled no promises and having passed
no laws for the benefit Of their con-
stituents.