The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-19
SCHEMING
FOR POWER.
Cyrus Leland to Put BristOw
Into the Office
Of Fourth Assistant POstmas-
ter General
In Order to Control Every
Postmaster in Kansas.
ONLY AN EMPTY SHELL
Will Be Left to Senator Baker
as the Arbiter
OF the Destinies of Smaller
Kansas Politicians.
CY LELAND GRASPS
The Mace of Authority and
VIII Rule
Kansas Republicans as He Has
in the Past.
Will Be Left to Senator Baker
as the Arbiter
OF the DeStinieS of Smaller
Kansas Politicians.
CY LELAND GRASPS
The Mace of Authority and
Will Rule
Kansas Republicans as He Has
in the Past.

There is a goOd-sized storm brewing
in the ranks of the Republican party
over the proposed appointment of J. L.
Bristow, who was Governor MorrilIs 5
private secretary and was secretary of
the Republican state central commit
tee. fourth assissitant postmaster
general.
Brist0w went to Washington early.
He was there at the inauguration and
filed his application probably at Cyrus
Leland's suggestion for the place of
fourth assistant postmaster general as
soon as such papers were received.
When this news reached Topeka it
caused quite a stir among the leading
Republicans here. They at once began
to prepare for action and the Republi-
cans who were in the state senate
brought the matter up at one of their
caucuses and the following telegram
signed by each of the Republican sena-
tors was sent.
Topeka, Kan, March 8, 1897.
To Hon. Lucien Baker and James a.
Gary, postmaster general:
All the Republican senators of Kan
sas believe the appointment of J. L.
Bristow as fourth assistant postmaster
general or to any other position to be un
wise and detrimental TO the best inter-
ests Of the party in this state. He has
been well repaid for his services.
JOHN A. FULTON,
W. E. STERNE
B. F. WALLACK,
A L. COLEMAN
CHARLES F. JOHNSON
FRED A. STOCKS,
JOHN E. HESSIN,
ROYAL MATTHEW'S.
r. T. BATTEY,
J. c. MORROW,
G. H LAMB
Many of the mem bers of the house at
expressed
on what would be the result of the ap-
pointment of Bristow.
Since this protest was forwarded to
Senator Baker, Leland has gone on to
Washington to personally superintend
the distribution of patronage.
1t is not at all unlikely that Bristow's
candidacy will result in a serious break
between Leland and Baker if there ever
was a combination. 1t has been said
all along by Republican leaders that
there would be a contest between Baker
and Leland as to who should have the
privilege of naming the federal office
holders in this state. Baker being the
republican senator naturally claims to
have that right
But Leland took great cara +ba+ bo
should be member of the national
committee and spent much time MAX
ing himself solid with Mark Hanna.
with the end in view that if LarcoS
was carried by the Populist state ticket
he (Leland) would still be in a POSITION
to reward those members of the Repub-
ncan party who had always acknOVl-
edged him as their leader
Bristow is one of Leland's most nil
ant satellites. He has found favor in
the Republican boss eyes because he
VIII act on every suggestion that Lee
land urges and at the same time he is
an untiring worker. With Bristow in
the position of fourth assistant post
master general who looks after the
appointment of all the postmasters for
the smaller offices, Leland would he in
a tn
leadership of the Republican partv in
such a way that he will name the can
didateS of the party for state Offices
two years from now. Leland would also
be in position to override Senator
Baker and the Republican congressmen
ii they oppose him.
1t was the fear of this that led the
state senators to protest
Yesterday news was received from
Washington which said that some of
the senators who had signed the re-
monstrance had telegraphed to have
their names taken off of it. There were
only a few members of the senate in
town today. When the senate met to-
day a Journal reporter asked Senator
Sterne if he had changed his mind
since signing the remonstrance. He
said:
NO, I have not. The reason I
signed it was that Mr.. Bristow, his
father, and I think brother drew good
salaries under the Morrill, administra-
ton. If Morrill, had been reelected
they would have continued to hold the
same fat jobs Bristow's father is al
ready an applicant for the Baldwin
postoffice, and Bristow himself is do
ing his best to get his nose in the
trough.
If we expect to build up the party
we must pass the good paying posi-
tions around. There are thousands of
loyal Republicans in Kansas that have
earned recognition, who ought not to
be crowded out by those who have had
their share.
Senator H. G. Lamb said when asked
about the remonstrance: Yes, L sign
ed it and have not changed. Isthnk
it will be a great mistake to appoint
Mr.. Bristow to that place, and 1 wish
that 1 could do something to prevent
it"
Senator Royal Matthews said: ''It
will be a great mistake to give that
place to Mr.. Bristow andthis is a time