The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-17
on FOE PENSION AGENT.
Later Phases of the Story Published
Some Weeks Ago.

There is very likely to be another ex-
odus of Kansas politicians to Wash
ingtOn owing to the understanding that
Cy Leland is planning to carry off the
position Of United States district pen
sion agent, with headquarters in this
city.
Mr. Leland has been charged with
being a candidate for almost all the
great offices in the gift of the national
administration. but thus far in his po-
ntical career of the past few years has
cOntented himself with bossing the
Kansas crowd and giving out with
gracious hand the favors over which he
has control.
Major Tom Anderson came out in
Shawnee county and defeated Judge
Johnson for delegate to the national
convention for Leland's benefit. Yet,
there is some reason to believe that Le-
land would not go out of his way to
assist Maj. Anderson, particularly if he
knew the people of Topeka We're practi-
cally unanimous for Anderson.
w. H. Smith of MarySVille, who is
trying to defeat all other candidates
for the place, has one prime purpose in
his method.
He has for some years aspired to the
position as state chairman of the Re
publican state central committee. If he
were successful in his candidacy for
pension agent he would, of course, be
located in Topeka. Here he would be
in position to draw salary from the
government and run the campaign also,
provided that he could be elected to the
position as chairman.
The fact that Smith opposed Leland's
selection to that position in the cam
paign of 1894 caused an estrangement
between them, and Mr.. Smith is sus-
pected of having an ambition to become
chairman of the state committee and
defeating LeIand's wishes.
Then there is A. W. Smith of Nc
Pherson. He wants to be pension agent
also, but he would much prefer seeing
Leland dOwned. These men are sworn
oh 11a .af1
lie and private. Thus far, since Jim
Simpson and Joe BriStOw, with their
select coterie of followers have been
manipulating affairs, Smith has been
frozen out.
However, he is not man who is cas-
lily whipped, and he now, more than ev-
er, realizes that the time is ripe to join
in the war on Leland.
The news brought from Washington
some weeks ago and published in the
Journal that Leland is being considered
for the pension agency, is, to say the
least, startling to the remaining can
didates It is said that in the event the
latter are defeated, they will form a
close corporation and endeavor to unite
all the factions which oppose Leland
and attempt to destroy him politically
The story goes that President Nc
Kinley a few days ago held a confer
ence with Senator Baker concerning the
aDDointnent of Leland. 1t is also claim
ed that Mckinley suggested the IN
dO1-sement by Mr.. Baker of Mr.. Leland
for the place. AS yet Mr.. Baker has
taken no action and his position on TINS
proposition may present solution OF
the mystery surrounding the reported
rupture between himself and Mr.. Lee
land so persiStently denied by bOth-
However, the fact that Leland declines
to permit the use of his name for some
of the inferior departmental positions
at washington establishes the belief
that the pension agency is about what
he would receive with most pleasure.