The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-04
BOSS VS.. BOSS.
Senator Baker and Cy Leland at
Swords Points.
The Kansas Senator Shows
COmmendable Spirit.
CYRUS MAKES DEMAND
For the Appointment of His
Followers.
Senator Baker Insists OH a Voice
in the Matter.
CYRUS MAKES DEMAND

Washington. May 4.-Cyrus Leland
has issued his ultimatum to Senator
Baker and demands that he recommend
the appointment of the men named in
the following slate:
Pension Agent, Topeka-Cyrus Le-
land
United States Marshall. S. Crum,
Oswego.
United States Attorney. E. Lam
bert, Emporia.
Land Office at Dodge City-L. D. Pet
tijOhn of Garden City and Representa-
tive w. J. Fitzgerald of Dodge City.
Land Office, Wakeeney-Ike Purcell
of Grainneld
Judge for the Indian Territory-Jos-
eph A. Gill, Colby.
Mr. Leland waited upon President
Mckinley several Gays ago and told him
he would like to be appointed pension
agent at Topeka. Mr.. Mckinley in
formed Mr.. Leland that a Kansas man
would be appointed to that position, but
unless Senator Baker requested it, Mr..
Leland could not be named. This was
the first positive declaration from the
president that shows Mr.. Leland to be
shy on the heavy pull" which he has
claimed to have with the national ad-
miniStratiOn.
Realizing that Senator Baker stood
between him and the desired place, Mr..
Leland called upon the senator and
asked him to make the recommended ton
to go to the White House and call upon
the president and urge the appoint
ment
Mr.. Baker suggested to Mr.. Leland
the advisability of the latter making
application for some outside position,
something which his influence with the
administration would easily secure and
thereby leave the office of pension
agent to some Kansas man who could
not get anything outside of the state.
Mr. Leland, according to the infOrma-
ton received in Topeka, which seems in
every way reliable, plainly informed
Mr.. Baker that nothing but the Topeka
pension agency would suit him, and
that unless he secured it, Baker and
the remainder of the administra ton
would be compelled to stand a fight
during the next four years Mr.. Leland
grew Indignant, and is reported to have
said to Baker:
I do not like the appointment of Ry-
an, and the other Kansas Republicans
are down on it. In fact, we have talked
over the situation and have agreed to
stand together in the demand for your
Endorsement of the slate which we have
prepared"
Mr. Leland thereupon produced the
slate mentioned in the foregoing and
again demanded that Senator Baker in
dOrSe it.
Senator Baker is said to have looked
at Leland in establishment while the
DOniphan county boss strOked his Whis-
kers and smiled his well known I'M
pleasant smile. Bakers power of speech
deserted him while he paced the floor.
Unless you indOrse this slate" re
iterated Leland, you will be confronted
with the fastest and most furious fight
you have run up against since you
started in politics"
That's bold threat coming from
you" replied Baker.
We'll, have got the power to organ
ize it and propose to carry out my word
if necessary
Suppose do rot recommend any of
the men you suggest, including your
self Nj Leland, what can you dO?"
Mr.. Leland suggested the power held
by BristOw might be used to bring Bak-
er into line.
"Bristow's affairs are none of mine
remarked Baker with warmth, "and 1
submit the proposition that unless you
secure my recommendation you will
have some hard shedding to get your
men into Office"
Mr.. Baker continued:
Mr.. Leland, the men that you have
asked me to recommend opposed my
nomination as senator. George Find
Law for example who it is said you
want appointed internal revenue col
lector in preference to my man Hook in
Leavenworth, was with what little inf1u-
ence he had. one. of my most bitter enc
mics during the campaign preceding
my election as senator
Again Representative D. NJ. Bender
and w. J. LOugh of Labette county,
Mr. Crum's home, acting under the ad-
vice of Mr- Crum, voted for Mr.. Bur
ton in the final caucus, having taken
an active part against him in the anti
Burton caucus which finally nominated
me You yourself, Mr.. Leland, predict
ed in the Office of Governor Morrill,.
while the caucus was in session that
would not be nominated and even went
so far as to bet Joe Wilson a cOnsidera-
BILE sum of money that I would not be
the nominee. Now you want to force
me to endorse your candidates and your
Individual helpers for these positions.
Under any rule of political warfare can
YOU find one solitary precedent for such
demands as you make?
Further, Fitzgerald was a Burton
man and during the last session of the
legislature participated in the Repub-
lican caucus which nominated Burton,
a caucus which to my mind was not
the proper political move and you will
remember that I advised against it in
the interests of party harmony. Petit
John Purcell and Gill were all strong
Burton men and opposed my nOmina-
ton You mentioned BristOw. Why
he has been fighting me constantly and
even after I was elected and in Wash
ingtOn at work told newspaper men in
the governors Office that I was freak;
failure; incompetent and unqualified
for the place. In the face of all of
these circumstances you demand that I
endorse your men when have not been
able to help single one of those who
assisted in my election except Lambert.
He is the only man who stood by me
and is the only man on your slate that
I am at all inclined to help"
MrI4eland replied to Bakers arraign-
ment by saying that it made not the
slightest difference to him who these /
men he wanted to have jobs had help
ed; that they were his friends and he
to stand by them. Further he
intimated that he fully expected that
they would secure the places and that