The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-13
CYRUS DOWN IN OKLAHOMA
He Attempts to Get His Fingers on
the Patronage
OFOUR LITTLE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR

But Gets a Hot Roast From the Guth-
RE State Capital.
From the Oklahoma State Capital. March II.
Flushed with their meritorious Kansas
victory, there appeared in this city to-
day direct from Wichita, Hon. Cy Le-
land, of Troy, Kan, Hon. L. S. Crum, of
Oswego, Kan. and Hon. J. w. Haughey,
| of Wellington, Kan, to look after the
| Barnes and Mckinley fences in Okla
| homa. They had not been here very
long until they discovered they had
come on a dangerous mission. Ii there
Is any man on earth opposed to dictation
| of any kind it is the Kansas man, and
! Mr.. Leland and his associates readily
recognized that there are a big lot of
| Thoroughly independent Kansas men in
| this part of Oklahoma, and they will
ind there are lot of the same kind all
over the territory.
This territory will not get into Mr.. Cy
Leland's pocket any quicker than into
Mr. Powell Clayton's. This territory is
neither the caudal appendage of Cy Le-
land or Powell Clayton. Oklahoma Re-
publicans do not need to be fixed" by
any outside bosses or inside bosses. They
resent dictation from Kansas as quickly
as from Arkansas. Powell Clayton may
sling his whip over Arkansas Re pu bill
cans and Mr.. Cy Leland may win bril-
hAohh hACLO1Ioa IN Ills OWN DdIIt"lCkg Oub
In Oklahoma they are as poweriess as
broken straw in a whirlwind. This
territory is perhaps for Mckinley, but
1t will be for him in its own way. No
Arkansas or Kansas boss can tell US what
we have got to do Neither can any
Arkansas or Kansas political fxer assure
US of federal patronage through the
Arkansas or Kansas routes. This terri
tory is an infant in age but in political
independence and stalwart Repu blican-
ism is as old as any neighbor, and it al
lows no surrounding state TO dictate to
or overshadow it.
There are local conditions in Okla
homa which neither MIR, p. Clayton or
Mir. C. Leland are familiar with. The
people of Oklahoma understand what
they want. They ask no advice from
beyond our own borders. When it comes
to patronage they will expect those Re-
publicans who can get the largest home
endorsement, bear the highest charac-
tiers and best records to receive the pres
idential favors. 1t will see that the nose
of Arkansas and Kansas is kept out of
our business, now and hereafter.
The stalwart Republication, excellent
manhood and popularity of MIR. Clayton
and Mir. Leland on their own dunghills
is undisputed and deserved There are
many Oklahoma Republicans who know
each of these gentlemen personally and
for them as men and party workers have
the highest regard. But they are neither
big enough nor good enough to come to
Oklahoma and tell Oklahoma repub-
licans what to do in their local affairs.
Politicians are one thing, home makers
are another. The job dispensers are not
ruling in Oklahoma's Republican offices
any more than are the job hunters. The
farmers and business men-two-th thirds of
whom are friendly to McKinley-will see
to the kind of a presidential deleg alton
Oklahoma sends to st. Louis, and that
delegation will be composed of men
whose chief consideration is the good of
Oklahoma and not political jobs for
themselves or anybody else, These bust
ness men and home-makers prefer to rnn
their political affairs instheir own way
and will not only thank outsiders to keep
hands of, but will see to it that no for
eigher sticks his fingers into our domes-
tic pie.
The visit of Mr.. Leland is as unfortu-
nate at this time as was the visit of Mr..
Clayton. The mission cannot be covered
up. Mckinley men understand that
neither of the visits of these disting uish-
ed men is for the good of Mckinley in
Oklahoma, but very much to his disad-
vantage. Oklahomans are patriots They |
are independent, know their needs bet
ter than any outsider, and before this
campaign is over and the president
nominated, will have shown an unselfish
and sensible policy " hich will meet the
approval of every Oklahoma Republican,
regardless of the wishes of those aliens
who will utterly fail in their attempt to
run u.s.
RnNn1