The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-08-13
KELLY is A THORN.
Bernard Making It Uncomfortable
in the State House
FOR MEN WHO BROKE PROMISES.

He Hay Become q Candidate for
Uafsed States Senator, but VIII Ac-
eeps No AppOtntive Office.
e Rev. Bernard Kelly is source of great
discomfort to the people in the state
house. He is causing them more actual
worry than any possible combination that
could be effected by the Populists and
Democrats
He persists in making four or Eve
speeches week at the county reunions
of old soldiers and he is inconsiderate
enough when touching upon political
subjects to tell the truth regardless of
whom it. hits. At Parsons last week, for
instance, he criticised Dick Blue for the
radical remarks he had made along gold
standard lines and told the people that
if the present congressman-at -large had
talked that way during his campaign last
fall, that instead of being elected by
majority of 10000 he would have been
buried under 4 majority of at least
10000 votes
He also reminded the people of Ger
tain letter written by Mr.. Blue in which
he expressed entirely different senti-
ments on the money question in response
to the pointed inquiries made by the adj
Vocates OF silver as to where he stood.
Mr. Kelly led his hearers to believe that
possibly Mr.. Blue gained his election on
false pretenses. Reports say that Mr..
Blues gold bug speech emptied the seats
in the camp grounds while Mr. Kelly's
remarks were received with loud and
prolonged shouts of approval.
MI Kelly has been reading to his
audiences list of the appointments
made by the present state administrati
and has shown that a ridiculously small
percentage of them have been given to
old soldiers Then he is reported as
saying that he cannot see much differ
ence between a man who skuIked in the
rear under the protection of the commits
sary department and one who hired a
substitute and remained at home. This
rather pointed remark caused Mr.. Kelly
to be rendered an ovation.
Then he became somewhat personal
and made a few references to the dis
sipated habits of some of those occupy
ing prominent positions in the state
house.
AS Mr.. Kelly's speeches have been
received with marked favor, the state
house people have come to the conclus-
ion that something should be done to
stop him from causing further opposition
to them. Several councils have been
held and it was the unanimous opinion
of those present that great mistake had
been made when the promise of rail-
road commissionership given to Mr.. Kel-
ly had been repudiated.
The easiest way to get rid of an enemy
SO powerful for good or evil to them was
to invite him into the fold, and steps
were at once taken to find a place for
him that would be commensurate with
his strength and influence. As a feeler
it was proposed to offer him the position
of superintendent of the Hutchinson re-
formatOry. An intimation was made to
him that the place would be his for the
asking, but Mr. Kelly showed no anxiety
to accept it, and it became apparent
that some other plan would have
to be devised if he was to be
won over. If q railroad commissioner
was to be elected now, it was suggested
there would be no difficulty in making a
place for MI Kelly that would be salts
factory to him and that would carry with
it the friendship of his thousands of ad-
mirers.
Then one more bold than the others
remarked that it was within the power
of the executive council to remove eth
sr Jim Simpson or Sam Howe and give
the place to Mr. Kelly that had been so
faithfully promised him during the cam
paign. Another scout was sent out to see
how such a plan would suit the much
needed orator. It was received coolly.
Rev Bernard Kelly was not to be bribed
with any Office within the gift of the
state administration.
The fact is that the speeches made by
Mr. Kelly have proven 80 popular with
the old soldiers and sons of veterans who
have been in attendance at the county
reunions that he has been urged by
Influential Republicans to become can
didate for United States senator
and it has been suggested by many that
he would easily command the support of
the old soldier element as opposed to
either Ingalls, or Burton, On the subject
of the senatorship Mr.. Kelly is equally
retcent. If he seriously contemplates
entering the race he is not
ready to. announce himself. What
ever may be his plan, however, one of
his warmest admires and closest politi-
cal friends said that under no circumstan-
ces would he accept any position that it
was within the power of Governor Nor
rill, or the state executive council to