The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-06
NEEDN'T FEAR.
Kansas congressman Don'tWant
to Be Delegates
To the Republican National
Convention in 1896.
THEIR WORD FOR 1T.
Journal Washington COrreSpOn-
dent Questions Them All.
All But Mr.. Calderhead Re-
nounce All Claims.
ALL PUSHING BILLS.
Congressman Kirkpatrick Has
One Relating to Pensions.
HOwCharleyCurtis MadeFriends
With Mr.. Dingley.

From the State Journals Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 6.-The re-
cent agitation in Kansas against sending
state or federal officers to the national
Republican convention next year does
not seem to find any opposition among
the congressman at least. When asked
about the propriety of congressman seek
ing or taking a place on the deleg CATION
to the national convention they were al
most all of the opinion that it was more
than they had a right to ask or expect
Whether these opinions are due TO
innate modesty and the result of refec-
ton on the matter. or whether they have
heard the ticking on the sounder of
public opinion is something which is
known only in the depths of their own
consciousness. Most of them spoke,
however with the readiness which in
dicates a mind made up.
Congressman Calderhead was the only
one whose views differed from the
others. He was not only inclined to
think that there was no reason why a
representative or senator in congress
should not be a delegate to a national
convention but also rather inclined to
the belief that such men were perhaps
better fitted to do the work required at
those gatherings.
Senator Baker said for his part there
need be no talk regarding the matter.
He said:
81 am perfectly willing to go on record
that / do not want to go to the national
Republican convention as a delegate.
Those in the state who want the honor
may contest for it without the fear of
80 ffr,r, I
fed to do the work pertaining 10 the Of
fee have as best | can without seeking
further. In fact l should be happier to
be allowed to remain with what now
have to do"
Representative Blue, when told of the
talk against members of congress or state
officials going to the convention, said:
Il don't know but what they are right l
don't know of any of the men here want
ing to go, but it seems that congressman
should he enough
Representative Curtis was one of the
pioneers in the movement against con-
gressmen taking or seeking such honors.
He unhesitatingly declared that it was
not the proper thing to do. He said: 81
was among the first to declare that con-
gressmen should not be sent to the nation
al conventions. don't think they ought to
90. l would not be a delegate. If it
were offered to me in any way | should
decline, and ask that some one else be
names in my place. 1t is only right that
the fellows at homo should be given
chance. There are plenty of them who
are qualified to be sent, and who would
like to 60 1t should be they and not the
men therefore who have offices now who
should be given the honor. If congress-
men and other oficeholders went the
people would believe it was a ring or
combination. They would say it was on
account of federal patronage, or the
promise of it. that the delegates support
ed this or that man If the delegates
were selected outside of officeholders
they would be fresher from the people,
and come more nearly to expressing their
sentiments"
Representative Calderhead, whose
opinions do not coincide with those of
the other congressman, said he had
noticed the talk about officeholders not
being sent as delegates to the national
convention. He thought, perhaps, many
of those in the state who were of that
opinion had made up their minds
hastily and had not considered the
matter carefully. II think their
view is wrong one," he said.
while do not believe there is any reas-
on why a man should be sent because he
is congressman, l do not believe the
fact of his being one should be bar to
his selection as q delegate. In short, his
position a congressman should not
preclude the discharge of any duty he
can perform as a good Republican. Men
ought to be sent to the national ccnven-
tion who by their position and expert
ence have the largest opportunity to ac-
quire and accomplish things The men
who are at home are abundantly quail
fed to act as delegates, but they have not
the power to do when it comes to being
in a national convention. They would
in all proba ability vote all right, but that
would be the extent of their ability to
accomplish anything.
II have noticed that the eastern states
send the men in their delegations who
have had experience. They select their
leaders and mon who have been active in
public life. Enough others may be
chosen to fill in the quota but they have
the experienced men there anyhow to
lead and control. l have noticed also
that the eastern states usually get what
they want"
Representative Long was surprised
when he was asked what he thought
about the matter, and took on an air as
if he were being accused of wanting TO
be delegate. But when it was ex-
planned that there was no thought of
course that he should ever want to do