The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-11-13
KANSAS POPULIsM on TRIAL

Populists of Kansas will soon have
an opportunity to show to thestate and
country that they are capable of man
aging the affairs of a great state wisely
and we'll. They will be in position to
prove the malice aud fsIsity Of the
charges of incapacity and corruption
which have been current among our
political enemies ever siuce the peoples
party was formed in 1890
Such a situation has not before eX-
listed. Though we began to elect men
to important offices six years ago, our
party has not yet had entire control of
the state government. The legislature
of 1891 was composed of a populist
house chosen in 1890, and a senate
elected in 1888, The state administra-
ton elected in 1890 was republican.
The senate elected in 1892 was popuIist,
the house republican and the governor
and other state officers were populists.
In 1891 the senate still remained popul.
list, but the house and state officers
were republicans.
But in January, 1897, every depart
ment Of the state government passes
into the care of the populists. The
Legislative, executive and judioial de-
partments, all will be in their hands
They will properly held responsible for
all that is done in the enactment, the
construction and the enforcement of
the laws. They will be held rigidly &C
eountable for all that may DO or appear
to be wrong or injudicious in the man
agement of state institutions and in the
nomination and confirmation of officers
whose duty it will be to administer the
laws.
The situation is full of responsible
lies, A new party is always closely
watched and the rule is a good one. 1t
ought to be applied much more rigid
ly than it is to old parties. But the
populists of Kansas are peculiarly sit
uated. They will not be treated as new
parties usually are. In addition to the
watehfulness of republicans in the
state, the work of the incoming legisla-
ture viii be sharply scrutinized by all
republican politicians of the country,
aided by the argus eyes of the opposi.
ton press. The new state administra.
ton will be subjected to a continuous
running fire from the party gOssIps and
every mistake will be magnifed into a
dreadful excess.
Populism will be on trial, The Ad-
vocate has no doubt about the out
come. Gov. Leedy has had some legis.
lative experience. He is a elear-headed,
practical man. He may be expected to
call about him as advisers and helpers
none but men of ability and character
who viii look upon their connection
with the administration as a constant
admonition to be careful and avoid
even the appearance of evil. We con
fldently look for a conservative, hon
Orable and business-Gke mauagameDk
of stats affairs.
And as to the legislature, it will be
composed Of men of mature years, most
Of them well-to-do farmers who know
that what is best in legislation is that
which best serves the people at large
and thus promotes the general welfare.
Every member of the body will appre-
eiate the force of the fact that his
course as a legislator will be measured
and criticised by standards more ex-
acting than those applied in ordinary
cases. Theirs is not an ordinary case.
Populism has been mercilessly, cruelty
talked about as no other party has ever
been; and these our Kansas legislators,
knowing the Injustice and mslignity of
most Of this stuff, will recognize the
Importance of a wise policy that viii
rebound to the good Of the state and
the credit Of the party. They viii re-
membersthat Kansas populism IS on