People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-10-13


people can well be congratulated on
Its victory. There was a great contest
going on. 1t was a contest between the
people on the one side and the corpo-
rate Interests on the other. 1t was a
contest between the man and the dol
lar. In the state the man won; in the
nation the dollar was victorious.
In that memorable fight unscrupu-
lous genius was on the one side; sturdy
honesty on the other. All the brains
that were purchasable on the market
were bought up and used against the
people. Libel after libel was uttered
to ridicule and discourage the discon-
tented masses. Nearly every man Of
supposed uncommon ability was sent
into Kansas to turn the drift of popu-
lar opinion. The people had formed
convictions and they stuck to them.
Events have proved that they were
right.
FALSE PROPHESIES.
One OF the most common prophesies
made during that campaign was that
II the Populist party won at the polls
the credit Of the state would be ruined.
the money of the eastern capitalist
would be withdrawn, its people would
flee like refugees from a pestilential
plague, and ruin would follow. The
Populists won, their representatives
We're inaugurated, they have since con-
trolled the three branches Of state gov
eminent and what is the result? Since
the state was admitted into the union Il
mas never had credit equal to that of
today. 1t has increased in population.
through the grace of providence and
the sweat and toll of its people its
condition was never more prosperous
from financial standpoint. It's banks
are Overlooking with money which. I'M
fortunately, cannot be put TO profitable
use for reasons that every student OF
economies will understand.
IL was charged that the citizens OF
Kansas who sought to change condi-
lions in 1896 were regulators and an
archists. Since then the people OF
Kansas have paid off a greater per-
centage OF their Indebtedness than the
neople Of any other state in the union.
When the present administration was
inaugurated the state owed over
S3Oc.OOO to eastern CAPITALISTS: TODAY
II owes only $4,000 and an effort was
made to nav that. hut the holders Of
the debt would not accent II because II
wasnt due. In some instances indi-
vidual citizens Of the state could not
pav their debts before they were due
without making AFFIDAVIT that the
money was the nroduct of the encum-
bered Dropprty. Previous TO the inang-
uration Of PCDulism aS the governing
PARTY and power Of the state creditors
we're continually napging debtors for
the fulfillment Of The bond in MANY in
stances before II was due. Then the
courts were swamned in foreclosures:
TO-DAY a foreclosure is a raritv.
Instead NJ anarchy prevailing the
most DELIGHTFUL REIGN NJ law has been
witnessed bv the pponle. M COM
munities have been in rebellion M
riots have occurred within the state
and no national quardsman has been
called rncH 70 grid on his saber In the
couse NJ peace.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE BETTERED.
The Populist party has reJuvenated
Kansas. 1t has dignified and improved
Its public service. Wherever a barna-
Gle was found he was removed and a
man in harmony with the progressive
purposes Of the administration ap-
pointed In his place.
The business Of the state is more
honestly and economically transacted
today than at any time in its history.
and abuses are things OF the
past. Every man who departed from
The honest standard Of public service
exacted by the administration, has
been promptly removed. Birds Of prey.
male and female, haunt the corridors
II the capitol no longer.
THE LEGISLATURE.
The legislature met and passed more
good laws than any ten legislatures in
he history Of the state. There may
have been some dishonest men in the
legislature, but the majority were
above the influence Of a bride as is evil
fenced by the number Of laws on the
statute books. the passage of which
'ould not be prevented by the power
u money.
SENATOR HARRIS.
The first important act that legisla- !
IRE performed was the selection
" United States senator. In his first |
'ear's service. by reason Of his deter
mined opposition TO the Union Pacific |
teal, he saved his country a sum of |
money equal to his salary for 500 |
Tears.
THE CORPORATIONS.
That legislature found the state
With the hands Of the corporations
tightening about its throat. 1t COM
,elled them 10 take their rightful
'laces as the servants instead OF the
masters Of the people. 1t defined their
luties and prescribed their power and !
he executive officers Of the state have
made them toe the mark. They were
old that the law would be the supreme
'ower In the state. Those who re-
used obedience to II have had obedi-
nee enforced upon them. Those who
verstepped the prescribed limits have
zen punished without fear or favor.
n word the Populist administration
rove the corporations out Of politics
'ut not out of business as the enemy
'redlctsd. Many OF them intend to
tay out Of politics permanently. They
ave already found II to be to their
interest and profit.
GOVERNOR LEEDY.
Governor Leedy, in times of war az
Tell as In times Of peace has been a
TOrthy leader in the cause of the peo-