The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-07
NO POLITICS ALLOWED.
The BIunder of Last Years Re-
union Realized.
The clustering Generals Won't
Be Here This Time.
And All Will Be Peaceful It is Hoped
Mrs C. S. Sutton Makes I'm
portant Suggestions for the
Floral Parade

mental in having the Grand Army drift
into politics. but he was sorry of it
and pines for the time when old sol
diers can meet and talk about their
achievements unhampered by politics.
All this came as a. result of visit
from delegation of old soldiers which
attended the meeting of the Committee
OF Fifteen last night headed by Rev
M F. McKlrahan and Adjutant General
Allen. They offered their services to
help make the Topeka reunion a sue
cess. The other members of the COM
mittee were: G. G. Gage, o. H. Coulter,
A. j. Arnold, e. G. Moore, DR.. P. J.
M. Burkett, T. NJ. James and J. H. Ste
vens.
Rev. Mr. McKirahan acted as spokes-
man. He said: I'VE know that there
are a great many old soldiers in Kan
sas who We're in Topeka last fall and
want to come back. There are a great
many old soldiers outside the G. A. r.
and I believe that the time has come
for a great gathering of all, without
respect to organization or anything
else. We are here to offer to cooper
ate with this committee in making the
reunion a purely non-partisan affair
and a success"
E. c. Moore said: eve don't want to
do anything that will throw cold water
on the @. A. r. reunion at Leaven-
worth. We do not believe it would be
wise to invite anyone to come to To-
peka that Leavenworth is trying to Sc
cure. There is room for both reunions
1t has been suggested that an A. 0.
U. w. day or fraternal day be set
aside by the Committee of Fifteen and
hundreds of members of societies would
come here. We ask you to allow us
to work as a Committee of Fifteen to
make the reunion part of our festivities
a success
D. J. Greenwald-If the soldiers or
ganizatiOn is called a Committee of
Fifteen it may cause some confusion,
and think that the number should not
be the same as this committee.
Secretary Doran-A committee of fif-
teen is too large. Business can better
be transacted with a committee of six.
Captain c. H Titus-Let US give the
old soldiers a hearty welcome. am
in favor of turning all the arrange
ments over to the old soldiers com
mittee.
Major T. J. Anderson know we
have been criticized because the last
reunion was turned into what was
called political pOW-Wow, and sup
pose I am as much to blame for what
was done as anyone. was responsible
for the visit of the generals, for i met
General AIger in St. Paul and made
him promise to come. 1 know that 1t
is charged that the G. A. r. has drifted
into politics, and I suppose am as
much to blame for that as anyone, but
you will agree with me that it was I'M
possible to keep politics out of the re
union last year. 1t was presidential
year and the soldiers had to talk poll
tics But I want to say right here
that I am in favor of a non-part1san
reunion where politics is not talked II
can be held, and I believe that 1t Will
be- Those who heard Comrade Nc
Kinley talk at Ottawa few years ago
as a representative of the old soldiers
did not hear a word of politics They
knew that he was a prospective candi-
date for president, but were disappoint-
ed if they expected to hear any poll
tics. Let US have our reunion and
make it non-partisan- l know that
have done a great deal of talking my
self but if the gang that is trying to
control Republican politics in Kansas
gets into power, THINK VIII De ready
to quit talking.
Major Anderson was appointed as the
representative of the Committee OF
Fifteen to meet with the soldiers COM
mittee and assist in their organization
This action may result in the other
extreme in Topeka, viz: a reunion OF
Populist old soldiers. The situation
would be somewhat humorous II II
turned out that Major Anderson IS the
father of 2 Populist reunion. There
are 36. 600 old soldiers in Kansas and at
least Is 600 are POpuistS, SO that the
reunion might be POpulist in its ten
denotes and still be q success IN point
of numbers.
Mrs. G. S. Sutton, who has been elect
ed an honorary members OF the COM
mittee of Fifteen, attended the meeting
last night and talked about the Los An
geIes Fiesta and made suggestions con-
corning the floral part of the Topeka
festival Her suggestions Will I'M
doubtedly be embodled IN tne p1aliS s.
In addition to a floral parade on a GER
tain day Mrs Sutton proposes that a
Queen of the Festival be elected to go
on duty the first day ana from her
throne review the big Labor Day pa
rade. She would occupy a post OF non
or on Tuesday and witness the flfe-
mems contests and bestoW the prizes z,e
on the victOrs In fact she will be the
presiding genius at all the entertain
ments during the week ana VIII pc
dressed in regal robes. II IS PROPOSES 4a
to have "A attendants in court costume
always in attendance and at the grand
ball which will be held some evening
during the week they VIII oahce the
minuet to open the ball.
Mrs Sutton told the committee that
she was bitterly opposed to a carnival
A. K. Rodgers, who is nothing If not
gallant said, this committee reels the
same way a bout a carnival
President Fellows followed suit and
said the committee did not look kindly
upon a carnival but Major Anderson
Suggested that the carnival might be
held in the day time.
There ought to be no SelfshneSS about
this matter If the young men want to
give a carnival they ought to be allow
ed to do it. To many, the carnival was
the most interesting part of last years
festival The Floral parade IS a Splen-
did thing, but it shouldn't be permitted
to monopolize the entire week. Beside
the people who will take part in the
Floral Festival, there are others Inc
Ia bor people have one day, the old sold
iers one day, the fremen one day. the
floral people one day, and the young
men have a right to one day for general
jollity if they want it. Major Ander-
sons suggestion of a day parade en-
masque is a good idea
Mrs Sutton is to be given carte
blanche in reference to the floral parade
and the question of a Queen of the
Festival was left for future considera-
ton.
Mrs. Sutton submitted a suggestion
for official colors, representative of
the principal products of Kansas to be
used as a combination for posters and
ON envelopes and decorations. They are
as follows