The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-27
sLOAr's ACCEPrANCE-


fore the People.
In a rather lengthy letter to the Popu-
list central committee, K J. Sloat today
accepts the nomination offered him as
the Populist candidate for representative
from the Thirty-sixth district
1t has taken Mr. SlOat long tim to
make up his mind and aside from the
explanation he gives in the letter, he
says that he has accepted a position As
the travelling representative Of a glove
manufacturing company of New York,
and that the delay was partly OccaslOned
by his effort to find out if his acceptance
and his campaign duties would in any
way conflict with his duties as travel
ing salesman. His headquarters will be
in Topeka, and he will travel in the
state.
In his letter he SAYS:
must be either above or beneath the
ordinary feelings Of men did / not value
the fattering Kindness of your conven-
ton, in rendering me, unasked, a unani-
nous nomination as its candidate for
representative in the legislature; and /
shall be sorry to have it thought that my
hesitation and delay in accepting have
been due to the affectation and indiffer-
ence l did not feel. or to any doubt on
my part as to the principles of the Poo
pies party. My hesitation has been due
solely to the inconvenient circumstance
that I am not rich, but am obliged to get
my living by working for wages.
The pay OF a representative, if he be
honest and true. to the people. cannot
exceed $4,000, all told; and the wage
worker in the legislature who dares TO be
true to wage workers, NAV not hone to
be a favorite with corporations as en-
plOyers, after his Legislative days have
passed, but is altogether likely to find
himself blacklisted hencefOrth. Hence,
II was necessary that l should think, and
think very seriously before taking this
step. whether I could afford it; for, if l
go TO the legislature, / am determined
10 take no wages not paid by the state,
and am equally determined to be true
to the people who work, or who starve
when denied the chance to work I do
not think such an undertaking can prove
very profitable to me, after 1 have care
fully thought il over, but under the cir
cumstances / would be a cowardIy trait
or to my people were / to refuse be-
cause of possible consequences to my
self; and / have decided 10 accept, let
the consequences be what they may
As TO what wage worker in the leg
islature should do, have some very de-
cided notions, but / am not a philoso-
phical bigOt, and shall be glad to re-
ingmen may choose TO offer.
An end should be put to the system of
letting contracts for public work, by
which contractors are enabled to live
and grow rich from the unpaid labor of
other men.
The state, the counties and the cities
should be their own contractors, paying
decent wages to those who do the work,
in inaugurating the eighI-hour day, and
employing local labor on local public
works The state capitol should be in
ished on this plan, and should not be
finished until this plan is adopted, as,
should the Populists have a majority in
the house, IL dou btless will be-
Speaking Of the capitol. every bust
ness man and property owner in Topeka
il deeply interested in the com pIetioE OF
that building, the appropriation FOR
which, If expended under the direct en-
ployment plan, would put thousands OF
dollars into circulation in this city: and
every business man and property owner
knows that, the senate being Populist,
and its feeling OF two years ago prevail
lngs the appropriation to finish the CAPT
tol IS much more likely to get through if
urged By Populist member elected by
the voters Of this city, and urging il as q
measure certain to give employment to
local labor. He must be a blind partisan
indeed who can not see that no more
profitable step could be taken BY this
city than the election OF a Populist to
the legislature. No matter what NAV be
the result Of the election this fall the
senate will be Populist still.
The necessity Of a fair system OF ar