Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-02-02
LucIen saker,e Platform.

After the joint convention of the Kansas
legislature had completed the election of
Lucien Baker to the United States senate, a
committee was sent out to bring in the new
senator.
After the applause had subsided, Senator
Baker said:
"Mr. President, Fellow Citizens, Ladies and
Gentlemen 1T Is undoubtedly a pleasure
for you at this moment to think that you
have elected United States senator for the
coming term of six years. While it may be
a pleasure for you, it makes my heart bleed
to think that tn S honor and this burden have
been st upon me. l tried to pass it, but
my friends would not have it SO.
4 have tried to conceive what the respon-
sibilities of this position will be; what it
will mean for me. My every surrounding,
my business associations, my family rela-
tiOns will be changed almost in the twin k
ling OF eye. My life for the next six
years will be open to public scrutiny; |
must bear the censure of the public for any
mistaken act, and in this trying hour | ask
you all, repub leans, democrats and popu-
lists alike, TO uphold my hands, Withhold
your censure until you find that | am not
fit to be the representative of Kansas.
This is no time to make a speech, but it
Is roper for me to say to my fellow repub-
llcans and this assem- blage what l believe
on some subjects.
Il believe that no men on earth deserve
so much praise and commendation as the
old soldiers. | will endeavor to see that full
justice is done to them. So long as this
country stands will their fame be sung in
song and story.
Il am in favor of protection to American
industries and | believe in reciprocity in
trade with other nations.
81 believe IN both gold and silver on a
parity as circulating mediums and national
currency as strong as the nation and the
flag.
Il am with you and the people on the sub
ject of transportation. / am in favor of do
ing equal justice on that subject and reduc-
ing the rate of tran Sportation of passengers
and commodities to the lowest possible point
consistent with corporate rights.
Il believe the time has come when the
American people should save America for
Americans. | think we should forbid the
landing on our hores of the baser elements
Of immigration, thereby upholdng our in
stituions and protecting our laborers.
"Above all, l am Kansan and proud of
my state. | believe in her loyal men and
forgiving women; l believe in her future
prosp rity and greatness and shall uphold
her fair name on all occasions. | shall
make her wants and conditions study, and
it will be a pleasure to me. My every effort
shall be directed towards building up this
great commonwealth.
''If any part of this state is not so blessed
with natural resources as some other por-
tious of it and legislation can be devised to
aid in that respect, then | am IN favor of
such legis alton. If any scheme of irrlga-
ton will be practical and helpful for the
western part OF the state it will receive my
cordial support.
''Along these lines | shall devote my best
efforts for the next six years and in my en-
deavor to do my full duty 1 ask the press
and all the people of the state to uphold and
assist me.
II thank you once more for the con 6dence
you have placed in me. / accept this great
honor which was unsought by me and will
try to be credit to you who have placed me
in this high position