People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1897-03-25

divine right. IL is a fact OF which
all Kansans take judicial notice that
Cy Leland Jr. is the boss and dictator
Of the Republican party of Kansas
and runs it to suit himself by either
fair means or foul. Sumner county
Republicans also take judicial notice
that Richards would boss them if he
could, and that he impreSseS Leland
with the idea that he does control the
party here. In furtherance of this
idea, we have only to remember that
last sumner Cy Leland refused to sup
port Morrill, for governor, and forth
with we see, placed in Richards espec-
ial custody and keeping the "boOmlet"
of Sam R. Peters, which Leland had
Matched and confded to Richards to
develop. at died bOrpin" in Sum-
ner county only because Orie Morse
took hand in the interest of Gov
ernor Morrill,, his own political god
father.
During and since the campaigh,
every meeting of Republican politi-
clans no matter whereheld, how small
or how large, Sumner county Republi-
cans were always represented therein
and thereat by Richards, no doubt
bearing within his duly accredited
credentials Of the party constituting
him its agent to speak and act and do
all things necessary for it, in its be-
half and each member thereof.
About a month ago, a column or two
of official orders to the Republican
party of Wellington appeared in his
papers to the effect that while hereto
fore they had not for some years seen
proper 20 elect only Republicans to
Office in the city, yet this time they
must line up and fill every Office with
time-tried and dre-tested brand of
RepuhliCans-why?
Simply to pull chestnuts out Of the
fire for Richards. If by thus appeal
ing to party prejudice and partisan
feeling, lnsteadSof heing guided by
the city's best interests. the voters
will obey Richards behest and elect
a ticket simply on the ground that it
is Republican, Richards will point
Cy Leland with pride to what he has
accomplished in this community, and
secure the pOstoffice as his price for
the pains. While the party will be
entitled to the credit therefor, Rich
ards will get it himself, Any and
everyone knows that they have a large
majority here and can elect party
ticket in Wellington whenever so in-
clined without the aid or consent of
Richards, or ip spite Of his efforts, II
need be.
The administration at Washington
has just appointed J. L. BristOw to do
Cy Leland's bidding in the pOstofiice
department, and as usual Richards,
having served Leland 10 this county,
deserves and will receive his favor at
Washington.
Thus we see that the circuitous
route of Richards from a newspaper
mans hard lot to the roseate and
profitable berth Of postmaster is
complete. 1t falls to the lot Of but
few men in this day and time to con-
troll his political party in such a way
as will rebound to his own personal
benefit without any friction. To sub
ject great political party to only
one mans selfish purpose and aim is
a task which has never been performed
10 this community before. 1t re-
mains only for the last act to be per-
formed to make The story of subjuga-
tiOn complete.
The show began some considerable
time ago, when Richards appeared as
the ringmaster with whip ever in hand
in the ring; at every crack Of its lash,
the party of freedom and progress,
would hasten to do its masters bid
ding, and finally with Richards as the
clown, the whole sleight Of hand and
jugglery performance will close with
Richards as postmaster at Wellington
not secared by the people directly
but iddirectly-but postmaster all the
same.
We congratulate him on his effici-
ency and ability to manipulate his
party in his own interest without de-
lection by his own party. lfthey are
satisaed-that is all that is necessary.
But we do not wish him to laoOr un.
der the impression that he is deceiv-
ing Or has fooled that part Of his
locality who are not Republicans.
We simply desire to gOOn record as
reading the signs as they exist.
Neither have we. any objections To
his appointment, for the newspaper
boys earn all they ever get and a
great deal more too, so out of fraternit,
for the "craft," We are constrained
! 4, x,laa-ura tho ohanooc a.