The southern argus., 1891-07-02
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
TOPEKA, KAN, June 80, 1891.

The news of the brutal murder of
Col. Sam Wood at Hugoton caused
much excitement at the capital city.
| Speculation is rife as to the cause.
Some argue political significance to
it, others take the more sensible view
and claim it to be the result Of a long
standing feud growing out OF the late
Stevens county seat war Sam Wood
| has long been a striking figure in the
F, development of this state, both polite
ally and materially. He has ever
taken advanced ground upon all great
questions. In his tempestuous career
he has ever been staunch friend Of
the negro. In the darkest hours of
slavery agitation, when it was a crime
to speak in defense Of our rights, Col.
Wood was found brave and an out
spoken champion. He was all intense
believer in negro manhood. His brut-
al and cold blooded murder will leave
stain upon the fair name of our
state that will never be removed. In
his death the people lose bold and
fearless champion and defender. The
Afro American citizens Of Kansas all
mourn his loss and extend cordial and
deep sympathy 10 his widow, Mrs.
Wood.
Political sparring is the order of the
day. All parties are looking for an
opening. The caucuses of the various
executive committees are being watch
ed with interest. The political up
heaval of last year left the various
parties in a sad plight. Neither un-
derstand fully the strength of the other.
The republican party of this state is
preparing to carry, if possible, ma
jority of the counties. In event OF
their doing so, this will place Kansas
again in the columns of the solid re-
| publican states.
The outlook for an abundant har-
vest, and the very good market price of
farm produce, well it is hoped allevi-
ate the depressed financial condition
Of the Kansas farmer. With remov-
al of this condition the republicans
hope to see the political unrest and
dissatisfaction pass away and with it
that conglOmeration of cranks known
as the third party. The sincerest
hopes of the party leaders will be
realized, if the peoples party is but
the outgrOwth of conditions over
which man has no control. That the
peoples party in its platform has many
Of the Old greenback ideas galvanized
is undisputed but as to whether these
ideas are in harmony with the people
remains to be proven.
Rev B. f. Foster, The foremost negro
alliance man Of Kansas, will deliver
the Fourth Of July Grafton at the
farmers picnic down in Republic coun-
ty. Mr.. Foster has chosen as his sub
ject "The three great epochs" in the
history of this cOuntry. He is indeed
one of our bravest men. A man who
is in every way qualified to represent
our people.
The season of harvesting brings
home all the great leaders who have
been sojourning i'm the east during the
past year Senators Plumb and PETER
and "Sockless" Simpson, M. c., have
been in the city. All speak encour-
agingly of the prospects Of the parties
in the east The senior senator looks
forward with fond hopes to the sue
cess of Mckinley in Ohio and Senator
Peffer believes that Mr.. Mckinley will
win. He sees but very small hopes
| for Senator Sherman. Both are free
coinage advocates "Sockless Generali-
ty Simpson" with his usual suavity and
paucity of political ideas, assures the
| success of the peoples party through
out the country. Some have had
| strong hopes that Jerry would learn a
thing or two while at the capital, but
he has returned as he left-"a sound
ing brass"
The Advocate of Leavenworth opens
fire on the American Citizen this week
A careful resume of the paper con
vinces us that school is out and Town
send is at home. The record of tie
editorial correspondent and the oleag-
inous corpuscle at the head of the Citi-
zen affords Bro. Townsend an excellent
opportunity for the display of his will
and caustic sarcasm. The people of
Topeka do not believe i'm Afro-Ameri-
can inferiOrty but simply ask that the
black man be accorded justice as he
deserves with other citizens.
Hon. B. X. Bruce, of the Leaven-
worth Advocate, is spending the
summer in Colorado. Some interest
ing letters are expected from him.
The management of the Dispatch
Band should be complimented for the
very entertaining concert given last
Wednesday at Barker's church in
north Topeka. This is undoubtedly
the best band in the west. The hoys
are open for enga cement TO play in any
part of the state FEARLESS.
Thank you, readers and friends, for
the kind words you are dropping here
and there in behalf of our journal.