Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-04-15
Ben. Rich Speaks.


ELLIS, KAN, April 10.-For the pur-
pose of enlightening the people of this
part of the state as to what was done at
the last session of the legislature. how it
was done, and why what they didn't do
was not done, great mass meeting was
called to take place in the G. A. r. hall
in this city this evening, and Ben Rich
was to clear away whatever clouds of
mystery there might be hanging over the
history of that mem orable session.
AS the hour set for the discourse drew
near, farmers could be seen in all direct
IONS driving rapidly in the opposite di-
rection. Ellis was probably selected as
the best point for this explanation on
line, thus giving the people of Ellis and
| Trego counties an opportunity to hear
the tr lth as it fell from the lips OF one
| who was tat the front" The wisdom of
the selection, the anxiety Of the people
to hear the story, aud Ben's drawing
powers, were all apparent as the hour set
| for the speaking arrived and found the
large hall filled to its utmost capacity,
with the chilly night air and the lonely
| ianitor. Presently, however. the people
began to flock in and by $50, when the
speaker took the floor, an invoice" dis
covered seventeen pops, including Ben
and the member from Ellis county; four
republicans, two democrats, ten ladies,
wives of some of the pops. and three
small boys. The speaker was introduced
as the Hon. Ben. c.. Rich, chief clerk of
the house of representatives. He then
proceeded to use up one hour in telling
what II" did; fifteen Minutes telling
| what "that little woman" did; fifteen
minutes on what the other fellows die,
and thirty minutes in what orr people
must do before the millennium in poll
| tics is reached.
He satisfied US all that the republicans
| were miserable, tricky set who Wouldn t
tote fair at al, that the rump house was le-
| gal and would have given the state some
wise and needed legislation if they had
! not been imposed upon and hindersd by
the republicans. He told us a whole
lot of things we never would have known
il Wa had waited for the CAPITAL to en-
tighten us. For instance, he said he was
anxious to be arrested by the republicans
| ont EQey WOuIuu dIfcSO duO uy Alui
as they knew ne would appeal the case.
The republicans preferred to try some
fellow who would not appeal. He says
according to the decision OF Judge
Horton a certificate of election is all that
is necessary" and advises the pops to
turn their strength all towards the cleo
tor of county clerks and then they can
get certificates for all their candidates.
He said ''just elect me clerk OF Trego
county and I'll see that we have repre-
sentative" From Ben we learn that it is
a mistake to suppose that lawyer Is a
proper person to elect as judge of the
district or supreme court, that farmer
with good horse sense is much better
timber for that position. Alao that the
United States supreme court must be
wiped ont. These are about all the ideas
he advanced. In regard to the equal
suffrage proposition, he said he should
vote Just as Mrs. Rich told him TO when
the time came, showing that whatever
his shortcomings may be he is at least q
dutiful husband. At the end OF two
hours his voice fell and left the impress
ion that while long on words the slate
clerk" is short on ideas.