The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-21

enforced. In the course of long edi-
torial, the Capital said:
"A peculiar Populistic notion seems
to be abroad among some of the thick
and thin administration organs of the
state as to the limit of freedom Of
speech by Republican newspapers in
discussing state officials. Last week
Brother Bristow's esteemed Herald re-
ferred to the Capital among other pa
pers that had ABUSED" Governor Nor
rill, although the governor, it states,
voted for this paper for state paper.
The Atchison Globe a few days later
denounced other sterling Republicans
as "blackguard retormers" because of
their criticisms of the plumbers of the
governor at Wichita, Leavenworth and
Atchison. The Holton Recorder on
the same day attacked the Holton Tri-
bune for furnishing Populist papers
with plenty of ammunition, such as it
is, for the campaign" the Tribune pass
ed its opinion, in mild language enough,
Of the mismanagement Of the police
commissions. 1t looks very much like
q concerted effort to gag independent
Republican newspapers on the apparent
theory that the only province of a Re-
publican paper is to defend everything
and shut its eyes to blunders and in
constituencies
1.-The Capital feels entitled to protest
against this sort of Populistic heresy
because of its support of the admins
tration from the first. There has been
no paper in Kansas more ready TO
praise Governor Morrill, for everything
in his record that is creditable, and the
readers of this paper know that there
is a good deal that is creditable to the
governor and the party. He went into
office pledged to give the people a clean
business administration and the books
in every department of the state gov
eminent and in every public institution
show how we'll he and his fellow off,
Gals have fulfilled the promises OF their
platform. On business grounds nobody
has to apologize for Governor Morrill,.
Honesty and economy have been the
watchword from the governors office
down. But while Republican papers
have been glad TO accord Governor Nor
rill full credit for what he has accom-
plished for good government, they have
felt called upon by sense of duty
as strong as that of any state official
to protest against political mistakes
and governmental blunders that have
confessedly stirred up and intense feel
ing among the rank and file Of the
party.
THE condition of things in several CT
ties of the first-class is a standing re-
proach TO the state OF Kansas and it is
only because of a very friendly feeling
toward Governor Morrill, and respect
for his career and his personal charac-
tGr - "a ic ~ h oil f1-r
from every decent paper in the state.
The law says the governor may, at his
discretion whenever conditions demand
it, appoint state police commissioners
in cities Of the first-cless for the more
stringent enforcement of the law. There
is no other reason for making these APP
pointments. If cities are able to per-
form the police duty themselves there
is no occasion for state commissions.
1t is a matter absolutely within the
discretion Of the governor whether cir
cumstances demand their appointment
or not. In those cities, therefore,
where saloons are permitted to run wide
OPT n, with no pretense of law enforce
merit, by the appointees of the COVER
nor, where il is known to him that the
appointment of these commissions is a
mere farce, it is ridiculous to pretend
that the governor does not share in the
responsibility for the open violation of
law. Wherever he believes that pub
lie sentiment favors non-enforcement
the least he could do would be to with
draw the commissions and lay upon
the communities themselves the respon-
sibility for the execution OF law. But
he has not been pleased 10 do this al
though he has bee nurged TO it. He
stands before the state as the RESPONSE
bic official agent in the nOn-observance
of the law. He has made use of the
statute which authorizes him to ap-
point police commissions for the en-
forcement Of law, by appointing COM
missions that cOnnive with the saloon
against law observance. These are
plain facts known TO every citizen OF
Kansas and it is not the duty of a Re
publican paper 10 close its eyes TO them.
There is no decent Republican news
paper with any conscience and sense
OF responsibility TO the people that viii
defend the governors attitude in the
police commission business, and the
radical organs which denOunce some
of the best Republican newspapers Of
Kansas for refusing TO endorse his poll
cy are attempting 10 load the party
NANAA "a EtA4cAOAA4As N44Nt I-4faAt7I ~ tAAI
governor alone. II Governor Morrill,
desired 10 unite the party he would
have accepted the SCUM dadvice Of this
paper and others months ago and where
he found it. in his judgment. impossl-
bic to enforce the law by his commits
SONS he would have withdrawn the
police and entrusted the
police duty 10 the cities themselves.
Had the governor done this. there
would not today be 50 general an ex-
preston, even among his supporters.
OF doubt as TO his election Il Tenominat-
ed.
The Capital has been and is friendly
to Governor Morrill, and as his friend
and the friend OF the state sdm.nistrs-
ton It has a right 10 criticise his Official
actions wherever principles are iny0!v-
ed, without being accused Of abusing
the governor"
GENERAL CONFER I
ENCE, CLEVELAND. OHIO
May LIST 70 31st. For This occasion the /
Missouri Pacific Railroad company MI |
sell tickets TO Cleveland and return Tor /
one and one-thlrd fare on the certificate |
plan TWO trains daily Va = LOUIS. /
Leaving Wichita a. Iz-15 and 80 , II 4
City ticket Office. ia North Main stTe~t- /
Depot corner Second and Nlchltz 4