The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-03-31

n Popul1St Editor on the late Rebellion.
One of the strongest Peoples
party organs during the last cam
paign was the Paola Times, edited by
J. w. Bell. The events at Topeka
during January and February, how
ever, opened Mr.. Bells eyes, and he
promptly severed his connection with
a party guilty of such infamous and
revolutionary actions. In a recent
letter to the Paola Republican, Mr..
Bell discusses the situation most Wig
orously. Wequote as follows:
1t is the duty of every citizen of
Kansas, regardless of party affiiation
or effect upon the future success of
any party, to stand up for the strict
observance of the constitution and
laws of the State. 1t is as a citizen,
and not as POpulist, a Republican or
a Democrat, that l have, from the first
overt act Of the POpulists in the State
Legislature in violating the spirit and
letter of our constitution and its laws,
taken sides with those Republicans
and Democrats who have so valiantly
and patiently stood up for law and
order and a settlement of all difficult
ties in the courts. AS a Populist /
have ever taken the same pleasure in
advocating the supremacy of the law
and the will of the majority when ex-
pressed within the limits of the law
that has as a rule marked its Obser-
vance in the most heated campaigns
conducted by both old parties. There
can be no reform worthy the name
outside the limits of the law, which
law-abiding and peace-loving people
are in any wise bound to respect. The
laws are supreme, Who advocates
differently advocates anarchy and
misrule. If the laws are bad, let them
be repealed, but until such is done, no
citizen can tolerate for a moment the
idea that they are to be violated.
The Populists declare that the
fraudulent certificates. Such is not
the case and there never has been the
slightest evidence that it was ever at
tempted, only in the excited imagina-
tions of men whose interest and am
bition lay in that kind of argument.
The canvassing board did just what
the law says it must do, and the
POpulist Attorney General thus
argued before the Supreme court.
Section 40 of the election law makes
it the duty of the Secretary of State,
upon the day fixed by law for the as
sembling of the Legislature, to lay be-
fore the Senate and House list of
the members elected with the districts
they represent, in accordance with |
the returns in his office. This Secre- |
tary Osborne attempted to do, when a |
POpulist arose and demanded that |
Osborne preside. This he |
said he had no right to do, and stated |
all his duties under the law. The |
POpulists insisted, when Republican |
arose and objected to Secretary Os-
borne presiding and demanded |
the reading OF the list The
Populists persisted, the Republicans
objected, when amid the clamor and
noise the Secretary put the list in his
pocket and left the room, saying that
when they elected a chairman he
would read the list. This cannot be
The secretary was
right when he told his party he could
not preside, and the Republicans
right in protesting against the Popu-
list demand that the secretary should
preside. The POpulists were wrong
when they so insisted. and the secre-
AIRY was wrong when he did not read
he list or lay it down, though pande-
itself had broken loose. This
vas the start of the whole farce which
las killed the Peoples party, dis
,raced the good cause and all but
'uined the good name and credit of
Kansas in the eyes of the civilized
world. Governor Lewelling had no
easOn to recognize either House until
was settled which of the two Houses
vas the legal one. But he has had
,ad advisors and seems unable to rule
hove his party and be Governor for :
he whole people. He has been !
-rIevOus disappointment. He has
the splendid opportunity to
how himself a man and a statesman.
lie has ruined his own reputation and [
hat of his party, and cast disgrace |
pom the name of reform. That he |
las violated his oath of office goes {
Without saying. Incompetent and +,
nfit for the high office he holds, his s
Misfortune has been in needing the ,
cry element in his party that tried to ,
efeat him. Anarchy and misrule {
re stamped upon his administration, G
M there they will likely remain. s