The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-26
Are Nothing to the Way the
Fight Goes On
Between Senator Baker and Le-
lands Cohorts.
BAKER SEES BRISTOW
And Says He Win Have Him
Removed
If He Doesn't Stop Meddling
in Appointments.

The Kansas City Journal has the fol-
lowing special:
Leavenworth, Kan, Oct. 26.-There
has been general comment among pa
pers of the state on Senator Bakers re-
cent visit to Washington and all sorts
of stories have been making the rounds
and at no time could any story be
traced to any source inspiring conf
dence in its authenticity. Senator Bak-
er has personally been averse to affirm
ing or denying any story, and at the
same time has not consented personally
to give out a statement for publication.
He has told the story of his trip to a
friend, however, who assumes the re-
sponsibility of repeating it faithfully,
for publication:
By way of preface, the senator was
trritated because President Mckinley
ignored his recommendation and ap-
pointed Ike Purcell to a land office posi-
tiOn. He got on the train and went di-
rect to Washington to find out why his
man TiltOn had been turned down. The
first official he struck was the presi-
dent.
why was my recommendation ig-
nored in the land office appointment" ?"
he asked the president.
Because Mr.. Bristow came here and
said an ante-electiOn promise had been
made to Purcell" ," replied the president.
L told him that if the promise had
informed me that you were friendly to
Purcell, and that it would make no
particular difference to you"
The senator then denied that any an
reelection promise had been made to
Purcell and then added an expIana-
ton.
The president expressed surprise that
Mr.. Bristow should misunderstood the
senator's wishes.
When you were working for the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Bristow for fourth
assistant postmaster general contin-
ued the president to Baker, Il told you
I did not think he was big enough for
the place. You were SO earnest in your
support that 1 concluded to stand by
you, and appointed him. Senator, if
1t is now your desire, VIII call for
his resignation"
Senator Baker asked the president to
leave the proposition open for awhile,
and the president agreed to do so. The
president told the senator that in the
appointments to be made hereafter his
recommendations would be followed.
Baker then called on BriStOW, and a
very earnest discussion ensued over the
Purcell appointment.
Il have just come from the presi-
dent said Baker to Bristow, ''and he
has told me that if I say So he will call
for your resignation"
This declaration attracted Bristow's
attention and the senator said he turn
ed deathly pale.
Continuing the senator said:
Il don't propose to say the word un-
less am forced to. I helped you to get
this place, and in doing 50, nearly sew
cred the friendship of some of my best
friends in Kansas. Now, I simply have
this to say, that if I hear of your going
to the president again and asking him
to Overturn my recommendations, just
that certain will I ask the president to
fire you. If you want to stay in Wash
ington you would better heed my ad-
vice If not, you will have a chance to
go to Ottawa, Kan, and resume the
editOrship of your paper"
BristOw promised the senator he
would do nothing more.
This is the story in brief of Senator
Bakers visit to Washington, as out
lined by a personal friend. The story
given out by others has long been be-
fore the public, but this is the first time
the senator's side of it has been reach
ed. It contains many features of vital
interest in Kansas politics at this time.