The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-07
BAKERS HAND.
1t Has to Be Shown in Pension
Office Matter.
Will He Endorse Leland or Tom
AnderSOn2
IF 1T is CY LELAND
Whom He Recommends for the
Pension Agency
The Fears That Boss Leland
Has Him in Leash
Will Be Regarded as Well
Grounded by Republicans.

"Cy Leland will be the next pension
agent in Topeka said Chairman J. M
Simpson of the state Republican cen
trail committee to a Journal reporter to-
day.
THAT is settled then?" inquired the
reporter.
''Well, that was the arrangement when
I left Washington replied Mr.. Simp-
son.
Il don't see how it could be changed
efther.'' continued Mr.. Simpson. Pres
ident Mckinley told me himself he
would like to appoint Leland, provided
that he wanted the place and Senator
Baker would recommend him. Senator
Baker said he would recommend Le-
land if the latter wanted the position
Thereupon Mr.. Leland told Mr.. Baker
he wanted it. If anything is palmer
than that I don't see what it could be-
The administration and Mr.. Baker are
for Leland and he wants the place.
Now, can't see what else could be
done"
Mr.. Simpson was in town today on his
way home to Mcpherson from a trip on
personal business, he says, through
Iowa, Nebraska and northern Missouri.
He has not been in Topeka, for some
time. For the present at least Mr..
Simpson says he is looking after his
private affairs, his farm and cattle and
crops.
His admission that Leland will be the
next pension agent confirms what has
been the prevailing opinion among poll
tcianS since the Journal, two months
ago, printed the fact that Leland was
after the place. It was generally agreed
among the politicians that if Leland
went after the office he would get it,
but many suggested that Baker would
not be for him. Now Mr.. Simpson de-
fines Mr.. Bakers position and it would
seem that Leland has cinch, as the
piled.
Mr.. Simpson has been for Leland, al
though not unfriendly to the other can
didateS seeking the place
Major Anderson is credited with this
remark to Topeka friend: Il have
the endorsements and Leland has the
job"
However, Major Anderson's friends
will not admit his probable defeat by
Leland and are depending upon Senator
Baker to accept the recommendation
in favor of Mr.. Anderson, which are
certainly overwhelming.
Mr.. Simpson is violently opposed to
the policy being pursued by some coun-
ty central committees with reference to
silver Republicans. He said today:
When a man evinces a disposition to
participate in a Republican primary it
is a tacit admission that he proposes to
stand by the nominees either of the
primaries or the conventions. In cases
where any questions might arise a vo-
ter might be required to publicly define
his position, but I am opposed to the
summary action being taken by county
committees in openly announcing that
silver Republicans will not be permitted
to participate in the primaries or con
ventiOns.
The Republican party at all times
in the past, has invited men. no diff
ference what might have been their
past political associations, to Join the
party in all campaigns. The action of
some of our committees has been in
direct opposition to the principles of
RQnI1hlic9niSna and 7 T1Ir
Any political party always needs re-
CruIts, but we cannot secure them if
our own managers take action which
will drive good men absolutely away
from US. Such policy is wrong-cIearly
wrong. and something should be done
to avoid a repetition of this unwise ac-
ton
Asked as to his opinion of the next
state campaign in Kansas, Mr.. Simpson
said:
THE Republicans will win hands
down, but in the campaign which fol-
lows we Will have some difficulty. For
that reason the next state ticket should
be made up of the best men in the
party. The candidate for governor
should be a young, vigorous man, act
i've in politics. good organizer, able
and competent to grapple the questions
which we will have to meet. With
such a man heading the ticket, spend
ing the two years following his cleo
ton in organizing and upbuilding the
party, in the next national campaign
the state will go into the Republican
column on national isues, as well as
state issues, beyond any question
CNGr Simpson means Chester I.
Long.)
Mr.. Simpson believes that Chester I
Long embodies the elements which he
named as essentially characteristic of
the next Republican nominee for gov
ernor.
Asked how the campaign inaugurated
by Long is progressing, Mr.. Simpson
said:
L do not know that Mr.. Long is a
candidate. His friends want him to
make the race, but his ambitions lie
in the direction of a congressional ca
reer. I doubt very much if he would
yield, even under pressure, to become a
candidate"
Mr.. Simpson is a crafty politician.
The Republicans in Kansas and in
Washington, too, know that Long is a
candidate and that Mr.. Simpson is for
him.
If A. w. Smith becomes a candidate,
and / believe he would make a winning
fight at this time said Mr. Simpson,
Z would be for him. Or, Tom Potter.
I don't know whether he will run or
not but he is a good man. Smith be-
ing in my county, 1 would be first for
him If he did not run, then [ would
be for my friend Potter, who lives in
the next county.
The Long fellows are now looking the
ground over, and if they can secure
any reasonable assurance of support
from different quarters of the state
they will spring Mr.. Longs boom. As
matters now stand he is compelled to