The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-19
PARTIES ALL ALIKE.
J. R. Burton says Reform Party Has
No More Virtues Than Others.

j. r. Burton believes that the Popu-
lists who are now so busily engaged in
procla1ming the various attempts at
bribery in connection with measures
which were pending before the last
legislature were first responsible for
the attempts in violating the state law
by inviting such negotiations
AS a rule" said he, with rare ex-
cep1ons a man is never approached to
be bribed unless he hangs out a sign
By this 1 mean the real sign, too, not
the sign of a detective bent on finding
out something. 1t takes smooth man
to draw out other men, and the average
Populist legislator would not be en-
ployed by Pinkerton. In other words
the most of these Populists claim they
were drawing out the lobbyists, not
with any intention of taking anything
but just to get on to their way of doing
things. Now, I don't believe there are
any Pops in the state smart enough
to play detective"
Referring to the incident as shown by
the testimony where an agent of the
book trust threw a 500 bill at Speaker
Street, Mr.. Burton remarked: when
ever you see person hanging around
a puDlic hotel, then see a person lured
away to a private room and offered
800 in cash, you can put it down that
the transaction does not end there.
In my judgment, there was less
Doodle used this winter than is suspect
ed. The trash usually brought out at an
investigation comes on account of some
doing brokerage business in bribery.
1t would have been far better, though
for the state, as well as the Populist
party, if the investigation had never
been held. The investigation illustrates
that large per cent of the voters of
the state have been fooled by the re-
form party which, to say the least,
does not contain any more virtue than
the old parties"
OF the political situation, he said:
$50 far as the Republican party is con-
cerned it has gained ground in Kan
sas steadily since 1890, and it VIII poll
more votes than the opposition com
bined in 1893, no matter II the OppOSl-
ton votes together or separately. The
Republican party of Kansas is now set
tied squarely on Republican principles
NO false financial notions IKE Tree slI-
yer can gain Endorsement from a Re
publican convention again; nor can the
more baneful idea which has been
taught that the south and west should
unite against the east ever again De
mart of the Republican creed; nor will
ANYBODY in the Republican party be-
come frightened about the hue and cry
against corporations, trusts and banks.
Trusts viii fall to pieces; corporations
win be properly regulated. Banks and
corporations have lost as much money
proportiOnately as individuals in any
other kind of business. Take the rail-
roads not only in Kansas. but in every
other part of the country; they have
sustained as great losses to holders of
stocks and securities as has been sus-
tanned by the farmer or the merchant.
The expansion of credit during the
period of wild speculation which was
not confined to any locality or nation,
bred a worldwide panic, followed by
great distrust extending over a period
of years, and nothing but a return to
business methods and a general hqui-
dation OF debts, so that creditors and
debtors alike shall pocket their losses
and find out where they are at. can
bring good times back to the people.
The liquidation of all debts when the