The advocate., 1892-01-13

To the Editor OF THE ADVOCATE;
The Wellington Monitor and many Of
the time honored ~ Republican sheets
of the state are indulging In expressions
Ike the following for partisan effect,
evidently presuming upon an ignorance
and stupidity Of the people co-equal with
their own base venslity:
Senator Plumb's untimely end was un-
doubtedly hastened by the extra burden
which deyolved upon him as a result Of the
political revolution in the state last fall.
The work of looking after the immense
mass Of pension, homestead and other claims
that fell to his share was enormous, even
with Senatorial colleague and seven Re-
publican Congressman to share II with him,
but when Ingalls, was defeated and five
hard-working and experienced Representa-
tives were replaced by an Alliance delega-
ton, all of them inexperienced and most Of
them incapable, Plumb's already heavy
load was doubled at once. At the time Of
his death there were over 5000 claims be-
fore the pension Office that Plumb was
pushing, and his mail averaged over 200 let
ters day, the bulk of it pension cOrreOpOn-
denoe. Plumb struggled with his gigantic
task until over. strained nature could bear
NO more, and the prop on which so many
were leaning for assistance and support was
in an instant taken away. If it is Kansas
good fortune ever TO secure another such
useful and devoted servant, it is to be earn
6stly hoped that her people will not demand
the sacrifice Of his life as the price he must
pay for the honor conferred.
Doubtless few, If any, public men have
ever lived whose lives were not some
what marked by inconsistencies, failings
or Surroundings In the times Of fierce or
speciouS temptations, and why can they
not let their most recent and honored
dead rest without pointing to dark clouds
that can only throw deep shades Of sus-
piclon upon their character while living
only for the desire to raise the fallacious
and vicious cry that "That cloud Is dust,
and you raised it."
Now, as the Monitor and other Repub-
lican oracleS ~ are forcing their gall
upon the public in doses as per the
above, will they please tell US II the PEN
sion department Of this Republican ad-
mlnistration is honestly and efficiently
manned, why 1t was, or could be, that
"at the time Of his death there were over
5000 claims before the pension office
that Plumb was pushingp II the pen
sion officers were doing an honest routine
Of duty, how could Plumb, or any Sena-
tor claim honesty or duty in pressing any
claims Of local or personal favOritism.
Why have pensioners been regularly
notified by personal interllning that their
claims were recognized by the especial
efforts Of P. B. Plumb Was 1t not, and
only, to create false sense Of obligation
TO Senator Plumb and for partisan Oh
personal interest Could an "Alliance
delegation" be supposed to be drafted
into that kind of partisan legerdemain
service even if so worshipful q life a.
Plumb's lay upon the partisan Sacrihcial
altar?
Did not the Hon. P. B. Plumb say In
his speech In the Senate on the 7th oi
last January: "Isgree that a half dozen
men in this country, a. the condition Of
things is to-day, and has been for long
time, may stand between every oiti'
zen Of the United State and the results
OF his labor, skill or ventureS" Did h'
not IN various speeches in the Senate
oAo.oo kha rooDonaihlllkv for fhA AXia