Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-05
Xsusas-Last Plaza.

1
the Kansas people that they were al
ways In the first rank in doing good
II 8 relief fund was to be raised thu
Kansas people got there first and
with the largest amount. II patri
otto deed was to be accomplished
Kansas was up and shouting before
the other states got out Of bed. II
did things quicker and better thar
anybody and was proud Of it.
But the time has come for it 6
hang its head. Under the present
Populist system Of making patriotism
secondary to politics and mixing
campaign with the arrangements fol
replying to the presidents call fol-
volunteers, Kansas Is becoming q
laughing stock for the rest Of the
union and will be the last TO: get
ready for the fighting. Just think
Of it: Kansas-last place. 1t is some
thing unheard Of in the annals Of the
SunAower State.
When the president called for
troops it was with the recommends
ton that the militia be given the
preference in making up the States
quota. But it did not SUIT Leedy. In
this State there were nearly a thou.
sand young men who had been drill
ing for years and had their guns and
suits ready for the march. They were
expecting to be called out to help
make up the States quota. But in
stead came an order that they should
disband and send In their uniforms
and guns to the governor. To take
their places he has sent out 3 lot Of
bis henchmen to whom he wished to
give jobs (and this was one OF the
reasons for making the new order)
who 60 from place to place like horse
buyers to enlist the troops needed.
It is to the credit OF the State militia
that the members have for the most
part refused to enlist in this new COL
lection Of troops. They have appealed
to the secretary Of war to take them
in as they are and the chances are
that he will do so.
But Leedy's new troops are not yet
gathered. All this week and part Of
next the "horse-buyers" WILDE exam
lining those who are willing to be
bossed by Populist officers and these
troops will not be even gathered at
the capital for ten days yet. Then
they must be trained and drilled
which means a long siege Of several
weeks. As a result the Kansas troops
will be the last on the field Of battle.
They will be dragging along behind
the whole army, even poor old Mis-
souri,, which is governed by almost as
big blunderer as Kansas, seems
likely to get ahead Of us.
Along next December this sort of
scene may be expected to take place
down by Tampa: Commanding gem
eral, "Have those Kansas troops ar
rived YETI" Adjutant, "They have
not, sor." "Then let's 60 iuto battle
and not wait for them any longer.
They will probably get here by
spring"
Leedy thinks he is very smart in
slapping the boys who were in the
militia companies but he will find out.
Theyoung men are running the State
now and they will not forget the gov
ernor who prostituted his office for
the petty gains he thought he could
make out Of the gathering Of troops
after political plan.
In Illinois, In Iowa, in New York,
in Pennsylvania and all over tho
Union the troops are already at the
State capital or are on their way to
the front. Illinois troops left today |
and there will be half a dozen States
with troops in the field this week.
Kansas might have had her troops at
the front week ago. Instead she is
just beginning the enlistment Of men
in hali.flled companies with lessened
and interest because they
know that they are going to be the
last on the field.
Kansas needs sensible man for
governor mighty bad these days.
About the Prizes.
1t will make a great difference to