The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-03
BUTTON WITH P.0. OMIT
Mysterious Emblem introduced
by John Breidenthal
Creates Curiosity for Some Days
Until Revealed.
It Means public Ownership" and is
Worn by Those Who Seek Gov
ernment Ownership of Pub
lie Utilities.

small button bearing the inscrip-
ton p. o. in red letters upon d white
field surrounded by a narrow border Of
blue is being worn in this city Since
the button made its appearance it has
been surrounded by an fmpenetrable
mystery.
Now the secret is out, but not until
many Of the men had been charged
with belonging to a society Of Political
Outcasts-''
The button signifies Public Owner
ship" All men who believe in gov
ernment ownership of railroads and tel
egraphs and theories of similar char
acter are eligible members of this new
organization which has no officers; no
conventions simply exists as a silent
indication OF the prevalence OF such
John BreidenthaI designed the button
and suggested its purpose At first on
" a few of the buttons appeared and
they were worn by AIr- Breidenthal and
the employees in his Office.
Friends of Governor Leedy declared
that the button represented an anti
Leedy organization and that 1t would
become a dangerous factor in state pol
iticS because 1t seemed to be engineer
ed by BreidenthaI and his followers
Then Secretary Bush appeared one
day wearing one of the buttons He
was the third member Then Charlie
Ross, assistant secretary. dOnned one
The executive Office was beginning to
look upon the matter seriously Each
day brought one or two new buttons in
sight The suspense was something
terrific 1t was decided by the COVER
nor and Mr. Little that this was but
the beginning of the fall which comes
to a house divided against itself.
One day last week Harry Lands. war
den of the state penitentiary came TO
town wearing one OF the buttons Gov
ernOr Leedy saw It and quickly called
i n n il Fr1rT * rE2
lands" said the governor seiZing
the lapel of the warden's coat
What on earth does that button
mean2"
Governor, - said Mr. Lands with
much hesitancy. I cannot tell you
We'll. Well I must know said the
governor manifesting much anxiety
IT'S a sacred secret" said Lands
profoundly.
How do know?'' retorted Mr..
Leedy.
you" repeated Mr.. Lands with solemn
iuy-
'-Er, er, well calculated the COVER
nor
I regret exceedingly Governor Leedy
that cannot inform you as to the sig
nfhcance of this little button" said the
warden
see here said the governor jump
ing from his chair and seizing Lands
by the coat, a lapel in each hand, bent
down over the little warden and said.
Y Ou must not DuTleSQue TINS way
''Ha ha" began Lands but he stop
ped as the governor turned and said
fiercely;
This almost brings tears to my eyes,
Lands. 1 thought of all men 1 could
depend upon you the most"
You are eninentIy correct in that
opinion" said Lands with emotion,
but my dear sir circumstance over
which I fail TO exercise a controlling
interest make it impossible for me to
unburdeu to you
The governor jammed his hands into
his trousers pockets and gazed into
the face of the warden:
This is the most pathetic incident
have witnessed since I was inaugura-
ted I know not what to do"
ASK BreidenthaI' said Lands.
+'WhO2" shrieked the governor
"BrefdenthaI," whispered Lands.
I'D die first" said the governor.
The interview terminated
But the secret is out now and perhaps
the governor himself viii be wearing a
button.