The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-05
DEMOCRATS HAVE No CAUSE
To Complain in Kansas Says Ben He'll
brun of Usage City.


Ben Heilbrun, a prominent Democrat
of Usage City, who was a candidate for
a place on the state board of railroad
commissioners has issued an open let
ter to the Kansas Democrats, in which
he arraigns, but not by name, Bale
Waggener and John H. Atwood The
letter follows:
.'T,he Topeka State Journal of De-
cember Is, publishes an uItimatum is
sued by the self-asSerted leaders of
the Kansas Democracy to the erect or
demanding two places upon the state
ticket in next falls campaign, or no
fusion To the Democratic voters liV-
ing in this back woods it does seem
trifle premature for these legal heads of
Kansas railroads residing chiefly upon
the banks Of the Big Muddy to at this
time arrogate to themselves the power
to speak for the Kansas Democracy.
These self-aSsumed pie hunters are re-
sponsible for the compact entered into
and faithfully carried out by which
Bryan received the support of Kansas
Populists and the present state officers
received the same support of Kansas
Democrats.
Although no promise was made to
apportion state appointments, yet the
allied silver forces were not ignored,
and the Democrats did receive several
of the choicest plums that were award
ed Democracy has no cause for COM
plant in Kansas Were the result Of
the election reversed and Bryan
elected with this state Republican.
does any Democrat believe that these
leaders would have advocated the ap-
pointing of POpuHsts for federal posi-
tions? Assuredly not. We believe
it but fair to insist that should there be
any change in the personnel of the state
ticket that the vacancy be rendered to
a Democrat; but to insist upon placing
two or three of the present incum bents
upon the altar of sacrifice Just to en-
able these Office seekers to effect a ca
bal Of office regardless of endangering.
the success of the ticket is not what
the rank and file of Kansas Democrats
want. While we believe that the last
legislature by some acts of omission
did not quite fulfill the promises made
by the party, the chief omission being
the passage of some good freight rate
legislation-but just refresh your mem
ory minute and you will recall that
this same railroad lobby that now pos
es as the mouthpiece of Kansas Democ-
racy was instrumental in killing the
maximum freight bill, and any other
needed legislation upon this line.
But who dare say that the state Of
hcers have not faithfully and success
fully enforced other wholesome reform
laws? Surely never in the history of
our state have great corporations re-
celved the needed looking after that
they are now receiving. The reduced
stock yard charges if eventually sus-
tanned by the federal supreme court
VIII alone save the stockmen of the
state a quarter of a million dollars
as will also the textbook law. We
Democrats down here have no com
plants. We receive recognition in cOun-
" matters without making threats to
get the same. The Democrats and Pom
ulists here are one happy family in the
cause of free silver and in the state re-
IorTnS- We believe in doing good for
the masses and do not much care who
draws the small salaries just so the
voters of the entire state receive the
benefits of the labor honestly performed
by efficient state officers