Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-10-28
From the Kansas City JOurn al, (Rep).
War Among the Bosses.


has been general comment among pa
perS of the state on Senator Bakers
recent 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 insplr-
ing confidence in it's authenticity
Senator Baker has personally been
averse to affirming 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 respon-
sibllity Of repeating it faithfully Tor
publication;
By way Of preface. the senator was
irrigated because President .McKin'
ley ignored his recommendation and
appointed Ike Purcell to a land office
position. He got on the train and
went direct to Washington to fad
out why his man Tilton had been
turned down. The first official he
struck was the president.
"Why was my recommendation lg'
pored in the land office appoint
ment?" he asked the president.
Because Mr.. Bristow came here
and said an ante-election promise
had been made to Purcell" replied
the president. II told him that it
the promise had been given, it should
be kept. Bristow informed me that
you were friendly to Purcell, and
that it would make no particular diff
ference to YOU"
The senator then denied that any
nte.election promise had been made
to Purcell and then added an ezpla-
nation.
The president expressed surprise
that Mr.. Bristow should misunder'
stand the senator's wishes.
when you were working for the
appointment of Mr.. Bts.ow for
fourth assistant postmaster general"
continued the president to B 'ker, II
told you l did not think he was big
enough for the placN. YOU Ware 20
earnest in your support that l con-
Guided to stand by you, aud l az
pointed him. Senator, if it is now
your desire, I will call for his reslg'
nation"
Senator Baker asked the president
to leave the proposition open for
awhile, and the president agreed to
do 3d. The president told the sena.
tor that in the appointments to be
made hereafter his recommendations
would be followed.
Baker then called on Bristow, anc
a very earnest discussion ensued ovel
the Purcell appointment.
Il have just come from the presI
dent" SAID Baker to Brstow, "anc
he has told me that it l say so, h'
will call for your resignation"
This declaration attracted Brls
tow's attention and the senator sale
be turned deathly pale.
Continuing, the senator said
II don't propose TO say the wore
unless am forced to. 1 helped yo1
to get this place, and in dong SC
nearly severed the friendship Of som
of my best friends in Kansas. Now
I simply have this to say, that if
hear Of your going to the presiden
again and asking him to overturn M
recommendations, just that certain
will l ask the president to fire you
II you want to stay in Washington
you would heed my advice. If nc
you will have q chance to go to o.
tawa. Kan, and resume the editor
ship OF your paper"
Brlstow promised the senator b
would do nothing more.
This IL the story in brief Of Senate
/. Bakers visit to Washington, as on
lined by a personal friend. Th
story given out by others has lon
been before the public, but this is th
: first time the senator's side ht
l., reached. 1t contains many feature
Of vital interest in Kansas politics
q this time