The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-11-13

GOV ERNOR Ia. ID. LEWELLIN0
trait predominates to such an extent tina
it was one of the causes that lead to hi.
nomination.; with what wisdom can bs
seen by the result. There is one thins
very certain and that is if Mr.. Lewelling
could not be elected no other Populist
could as he has all the elements
of strength from populist standpo IT.
and for the further reason that bis pres
ence and manners inspire the confidence
of conservative men outside that party
who may have reasons for not voting any
other ticket. When the reporter asked
him for an interview, he said:
"Why, certainly; il have any informa.
ton that The EAGLE wants 1 will he glad
to give it. | am not sore on the EAGLE on
account Of the fight it made on me; it has
treated me much better than other papers,
and, on the whole, iU did not treat me SO
very unfairly, considering its politics.
The fact of the matter is, have not much
information to give at present." and SO
saying. he led the reporter into the private
room of the executive committee. Here
the reporter bad an excellent opportunity
of studying his character. He is both
courteous and affable, and has frank and
pleasant way of saying things that few
people would look for in man who has so
successfully led an army OF the common
people of the state-a party made up of
fragmentary elements of all shades of
poItics-to victory; for he claims victory
without any doubt. He is intelligent and
conservative. and if all signs do not fail,
he will make fair, safe and impartial
governor-if the final count should SO de-
eide, and there is no question about
it from present indications. He is
refined in appearance and would
grade well in a COMPARISON with the
average man in public life. 'The first
question asked of him, of course, was what
his policy would be, and in reply he said:
sit is little to early yet to outline my
policy" The reporter then called his at
tention to an article taken from the Kan
sas City Star of few days ago touching
removals, etc. 1t reads as follows:
''Lewelling was at the Democratic head
quarters and it was interesting to note the
favor with which the fusion Democrats
expressed themselves in regard to the re-
calcitrants.
Mitchell would as we'll write out his
tOddy uduu v NC! dShCu StC.
Rotary Peperill of the newly elected gov
ernor. Before he had time to reply some
one had inquired: How about Charley
Spencer and the Topeka police commits
sioners" What are you going to do with
Judge EmeryT asked another Democrat.
To all of these questions Mr.. Lewelling
replied, 4 guess they will all have to go.
''Lewelling's election means complete
reorganization of all the boards in the
state and that Wichita will, for the first
time, rule in Kansas politics"
He carefully read it, smiled two or three
times, and finally looked up and re-.
marked: 81 have not been so unwise
as to outline any policy in re-
spect to appointments, much less
to make any threats regarding
removals and whatever may be done in
the way or reorganization of state boards
if anything, you may say that ali the in
terests and localities of the state will be
duly considered"
"Then you think there is no doubt Is to
your election"
II do not doubt it for a moment; the
entire ticket is elected from top to bot
TOM"
Speaking about the maximum freight
rate bill he said, st is impossible to fix a
maximum rate bill which is inflexible and
arbitrary, because if al apted to the needs
of one section of the state it might not be
what is needed in another. Then, again.
what is needed in one year might not be
desirable he next"
Was the maximum rate bill passed last
year an arbitrary one in your opinion?
sit was not, for the reason that the pro.
posed law provided also for a commission
with power to set aside or modify the rate
set forth in the schedule. Another point
III that bill was overlooked or covered up
by the Republicans in the discussion of
the question: For example it was said
that the stock rate schedule IL applied TO
this locality would be higher than the
present rate. In reply Ia this it may be
said that the railroads themselves have
already given Wichita and some other
localities special stock rates. aud the max
imum b II would offer no interference in
such cases. In other words the rate fixed
WAS only the maximum, or highest rate,
leaving the roads at liberty to fix as much
lower rate as they choose"
In case your psrty has the legislature,
will they, in your opinion, pass maxi
mum freight bill?
They will certainly enact some legisla-
tion looking to the coutroi of freight rates;
personally. am inclined TO favor a com-
mission, with power TO fix rates. a COM
mission composed of honest, capable and
conservative men; men who are compe-
tent to ascertain the needs of the people,
and to SO adjust Rates as will best serve all
the interests of the state The people OF
Kansas have no desire 10 do any injustice
to railroads, but they firmly believe in
their legal. moral and political rights to
control the great highways OF commerce