Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-07-26
Hon. E. b. WhaIey's Letter.
TopEKA, KAg., JulY 1O, l894.

AOFAhAS hAp'S VuAy Avi AOOH'
Hon. John W. Breidenthal, Chairman Of the Peo-
pies Party State Central Committe, Topeka, Kas
DEAR SrR-The duties of citizenship de-
mand a careful consideration Of all public
questions, and the attitude of the several
parties toward the same, that the right of
franchise be exercised for the best interest
of humanity.
The practices as we'll as the promises of
political parties should also be well con-
sidered by the voter before he places him
self in line with any party.
The above requirements have endeav-
ored to meet, and the conclusion reached
by me is, that cannot remain with the
republican party.
It is with feelings of regret that am
compelled to make this decision, for it
sewers political associations Of IS years.
standing.
Ny reasons for this change are as fol-
lows;
The practices of the leaders of the party
in the past were the cause of much COM
plant in its own ranks, and the tendency
seemed to be rather to sggravate than to
remove the cause; the Capitalization of
power into the hands of few selfish and
interruptions men who have been manip-
ulating its affairs for years; the entire alb
sence of courage and conscience in the
last convention; and the subverting of
public interest to railroad interest.
My position on the executive commit
tee of the republican party and in the state
auditors Office gave me opportunities for
observation and investigation of which !
availed myself
The enormous republican majority of
1888 was swept away in the election of
1890, but the Buohan committees unscru-
pulous methods seated L. U. Humphrey
again in the governors chair.
The revolt by and the demands of the
people were alike unheeded by the repub-
licans in the senate that year, in refusing
to pass the redemption, Ohattel-mOrtgage,
and maximum-freight bills.
During the campaign of 1892, the re-
volt was fully as strong. In Shawnee
county it was aggravated by the use of a
large amount of railroad money to re-
nominate candidate for district Judge.
Governor Humphreys action in ap-
pointing the late B. W. Perkins as Pres
ton B. Plumb's successor, at the dictation
OF the general attorney of the leading
railroad of the state in using the COVER
nor's contingent fund to pay the ex-
penses of Lew. Hanback, in putting up
delegations for his (Humphrey's) nomi-
nation for congress in the third district
in hiring at the request of a railroad
lobbyist supposed.to DO anti railroad
lawyer to make up the case Of the peo'
pie against the Kansas Central railroad,
The action of the republican board Of
railroad commissioners in giving $500,000
in return for $4,000 to the railroads. The
action Of the republican school fund COM
missioners in purchasing $125,0OO Of
western county bonds and paying par
for same to the railroads at the request
OF a railroad lobbyist, when the same could
not be sold for more than 10 cents on
the dollar in the Eastern market.
In 1892 the election returns showed a
deplorable state of affairs for the repub'
lican ticket, and the methods of the Blu
chan committee were advocated. 1 was
asked how many votes Shawnee county
would furnish to make up the deficiency
and replied that Shawnee county could
not 90 into that kind of business. A tel
egram was sent to a committeeman il
the northeast corner of the state asking
how many votes his county would fur
nish to make up the deficiency, and hi
replied that he would furnish his share.
That man is now q prominent manage
of this republican campaign.
The plan was dropped, and the chair
man was cursed for his lack of courage Il
carry it out.
When it was discovered that the popu
lists had elected the governor and ma
jority of the senate, and that the hous
was very close, the scheming commence,
to at least save the house. The railroad
we're determined that the maximum-freigh