The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-15
10 Bristow's Pull.

Publicity has just been given to a couple
OF letters. by the Topeka Capital. which
give clue 20 the strength developed by
j. L. Bristow in his candidacy for thu
Office OF fourth assistant postmaster gem
| eral. The letters given below were written
| by Mark Hanna AMI Joseph P. Smith, N
December, 1884, and both contain requests
| for MIR. BrIstow's support of Major Nc
| k:nley, In the then contemplated race for
| the presidency. Following are the let
l tiers:
Mr. J. L. Bristow, Secretary Republican
| Slate Executive Committee, Topeka,
Kansas:
Columbus. O., Dec. L. 1s9i.-My Dear Sir.
While I had little opportunity during the
campaign TO write you at any length, i
want to assure you that Gid not neglect
the matters we talked about when in your
state.
While in New York I solicited a number
| of wealthy Republicans TO send you con-
| tributions, and / also urged some friends
| in Boston TO do the same. They all plead
| ed the necessity OF attending TO matters
] closer at home, and several OF them said
| that IL had been easier TO raise N.oS IN
| 1885 thsn to raise 500 this year. ! assure
| you my syupath!es went out TO you IL
your struggle and 1 congratulate you most
heartily on the magnificent victory which
your intelligent efforts and indefadgable
| Industry secured. The sweeping triumph
| Is due more to the work Of your committee
| than 10 any other or all other causes.
Now that the campaign Is over. L want
TO ask favor, which / feel sure you will
| willingly grant. but which must be attend
ed to promptly or It will be too late to ac-
Eel, -bo- nr far r uTrif "a a ma
| instance OF Governor Mckinley. who de-
sires information on points suggested.
There is such diversity in our election laws
| and methods that he is using his influence
TO secure greater uniformity.
1 would like 10 secure copies OF the
blanket ballots. used by each political par
~ IN your state AZ The recent election.
Also copies Of the election laws ana In
structions to election officers. and any 9TH
er information which IS pertinent on the
subject and viii tend to give complete and
correct Information about your electoral
system.
1 will remember that I asked Mr.. Leland
and yourself to confer with friends 10
Governor Mckinley in this state relative
to the future. Would IL be convenient for
Mr.. Leland and yourself and any other
friend you may choose TO invite, 10 meet
friends of the governor from Ohio at CHI
cago some timo in January. We are anx-
ious that there should be thorough I'M
derstanding all along the line. and in view
of the conversation I had with Mr.. Leland
and yourself. have suggested that Gov
ernor McKinley's interests in Kansas BE-
largely entrusted into your hands. and that
no steps be taken for or In reference to
that state without consultation with you.
If this is not perfectly satisfactory and
agreeable to you 7 beg that you will frank
iy say so and excuse me for having intrud'
ed the subject upon you. An early answer.
and one at some length. VIII be appre-
ciated Yours. very truly.
JOSEPH p. SMITH.
j. L. Bristow. Esq. Topeka, Kansas:
Cleveland, O.. Dec. q, 1sS4.-My Dear Sir:
Your name has been given to me by our
friend Mr.. Joseph P. Smith, as one of Gov
ernor McKinley's supporters. AS I am to
have something to do with the governors
canvass I desire to put myself In touch
with his friends in each state IN order that
we may prepare ourselves for thorough
organization. I find that Tom Reeds
friends are actively at work in all states
east and south of the Ohio, and It IS re-
ported that his friends are the authors OF
tending to belittle Mckinley as an extrem-
list on the tariff. 1 am satisfied that In
talking this way they will stir up the true
Republicans all over the country TO the
governors defense. The people are for
Mckinley. but many of the politicians viii
not be, and they doubt their ability TO
make for him his cabinet and to control
the patronage.
Mr.. Smith gives me the name of Mr..
Leland. and from what he says Of him
Join In the hope that he may succeed in
his aspirations for the United States SEN
ate. l will drop him a lire in connection
with this subject and wish that you and
he at your earliest convenience would set
about 10 perfect an organization IN each
congressional district. 1 expect to leave
homo soon after the middle of January for
the east, where l spend February anG
March. l VIII De glad 10 see Mr.. Leland
and yourself at some convenient point be-
fore that time; II not. will inf1ict you with
further correspondence on the subject.
Yours truly. NJ A. HANNA