The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-03-25
EXCUSES FOR MORRILL,
BentMurdcck DefendsHimAg Against
Sol Mi1ler's Diatribe.
OFFICE SEEKERS ARE TO BLAME.

The Governor Who Was at First
Happy and JOvial is Now a sad and
Disappointed Man.
Bent Murdoch in the Eldorado Repub-
lican has undertaken to answer the at
tack made by Sol Miller on Governor
Morrill, and the Legislature and in long
editorial be places whatever blame at
taches to Governor Morrilps actions upon
the horde of Office seekers which crowd
ed in upon him as soon as be took office.
The editorial says:
"Instead of meeting the leaders of
the party in daily council and then adj
yising with the Republican mem ers of
the legislature in regard to what should
be done, and what left undone, mis- entire
time was taken up with the army of ap-
plicants for places; and having fallen
behind at the beginning, ne did not have
any opportunity to study the situation
from day to day. or suggest or outline
course TO pursue. The pressure upon
him was SO great that he was practically
carried off his feet and didn't do what
he set out to do, and didn't do what he
would now do had he the power to go
back and do it over again.
ave were in Topeka all the session,
and we venture to say that the governor
more fully realizes today than any body
else that he has not met the expectations
of his party, and is much more unhappy
about it than those who criticize him can
possibly be. He wanted TO do the right
thing at the right time; he fully intended
to not only put the most competent and
deserving men in control, but he also in
tended to stay with the legislature and
encourage it to do the things that it
ought to do and leave undone the things
that it ought not to do.
1.-THE governor came to Topeka on the
1st of January strong in the purpose to
give the state a magnificent administra-
ton. He was iovial and happy; had a
kind word for everybody and was strong
in the belief that he was master of the
situation. We talked with him num-
Der of times then and we talked with
him Tuesday of this week; and that he
is greatly disappointed aud Inundated
we verify believe. He is not the happy
man he was two months ago, and to our
mind could not and would not stand this
pressure a month longer He is kind
hearted and wanted to satisfy every body
but was overwhelmed by his friends. It
is an easy thing to say what one intends
to do when he gets to be governor, but
expedieucy seems to swipe good inten-
tons off the earth the moment one gets
in. But this is not all
"Cyrus Leland, who is in many respects
leader, and who is not given to making
mistakes, who is positive, aggressive and
seems to know the right thing to do at
critical times, didn't appear to under
stand that he and the executive end
of the state central committee, instead of
looking out for fat places for themselves
and friends, should have been standing
~ fE,o j., - Ct
the party and assist members of the legis :
lature in outlining a course that would
have reflected credit upon the party and
rebound to the glory of the state. Mr..
Leland is chairman of the Republican
state central committee and is to a degree
responsible for this failure.
There was no Republican caucus held
during the entire session; no outlining
of a policy by anybody; no understand
ing or agreement at any time, by any
body, as to what ought to be done; and
as no member of the house at any time
during the session developed into a
statesman Of sufficient stature to com
mand party confidence, the failure be-
came more complete.
"Speaker Lobdell did not seem to have
any time, outside his daily duties, to look
after public matters, while prominent
members of the floor had to spend days,
nights aud Sundays in efforts to prevent
the legislature from driving every indus
try of any importance out of the state.
A general onslaught was made upon
every public interest that was sup
posed to pay q dollar of dividends,
and hence members from the districts
where these were located had to fight
for their lives instead of for good party
record There was no leadership any
uhara Hence the failure
"George T. Anthony, who thinks he is
the biggest man in the state, was hunt
ing an Office. The Topeka Capital,
which usually has q good deal to say,
was after an Office. Farmer Smith was
home sulkinR; Colonel Learnard said he