The Advocate and news., 1898-08-17
A Step
Toward Victory.
Governor Leedy, Webb rlcNall and
Jerry BOtkln Make Telling
Speeches at Valley
Falls.
A GOOD CROWD WAS PRESENT.

opened at valley Fails IhuIsuay Wy
Governor Leedy, Webb McNall and Con-
gressman Botkin. Despite discouraging
circumstances the attendance was good
at both afternoon and evening meetings.
Governor Leedy made the opening
speech. He was introduced by P. J.
Handle The Governor said
'T have come here by the favor OF my
countrymen to discuss politics. | rep
resent the POpullsts, Democrats and sill
yer Republicans, who put me forward TO
represent them. 1t is not my purpose
to discuss national affairs, except as
they apply to me personally or to my
official course and conduct l will leave
national issues that do not concern me
personally to candidates for Congress.
~ have been severely criticized by my
Republican friends for the part took
in affairs relating to the war. AS a
patriotic citizen, l would bear them in
silence so long as the war lasted and
while we had foreign enemies to fght,
but now the war is practically over and
the day Of reckoning has come. l want
to explain to you truthfully my course,
so that you can make up your mind
WuSLubI yOu Wuhb AAAO Ava JSNA NS'
ernor again or not.
"The next criticism is that detied the
War department. That Is not true.
disagreed with the War department
about certain matters, and 1t was not
very long until the War department
took my view Of the matter on which
we differed. | believed in extending
privileges to old soldiers which their
experience and tried bravery in the last
war entitled them to. l indicated that l
would be pleased to see some old SOL
diers go with the young men to the
front, so that the fathers and mothers
of the boys could feel that their sons
would be taken care Of by men OF eX-
perience in camp, in the march and in
the battle. Captain Boltwood, one Of
the most gallant old soldiers Of this
State, was elected Captain Of one COM
pany and the mastering officer informed
me one day that he would not accept
him for disability. He ascertained that
Captain Boltwood was drawing small
pension. That made no difference to
me. All / was concerned in was his
sOundness, and l investigated the mat
ter. found that in 1861 he was wound
ed in the heel, but that did not prevent
the government from accepting him on
re-enlistment in 1863, and he served
with distinction during the remainder
of the war. / took issue Immediately
with the War department and said that
the Governor OF this State had power to
commission and that | would commits
sion Captain Boltwood.
II am not contentious about my per-
sonal dignity, but when the Secretary OF
War interfered with the prerOgatives OF
the Governor of Kansas I thought 1t
about time to call his attention to the
location Of the State line"
At this moment several voices shout
ed: That's right stand up for Kansas"
The Governor then recited the facts
with reference to the appointment of
j. X. Hudson as brigadier general and
cOmplimented him for his gallantry and
patriotism as soldier in war and a
fighter in civil life.
IL usually make no reply to charges" i"
said the Governor reading clipping
from q Republican paper holding him
responsible for the poor equipment and
rotten clothing of the soldiers, "but
must say that the parties responsible
for this condition are those connected
with the government at Washington. 1t
was my duty, when Mr.. Mckinley issued
his call for volunteers, to furnish him
good men, and did It, A finer body Of
men never left any State in this union
to defend 1t. 1t was the duty of the
government to furnish the uniforms and
equipment, and il they were not good it
was no fault Of mine. II is a repetition
of the DAYS when Simon Cameron was
Secretary of War, when contractors
fourished and the flower Of our army
faded. About him contractors and job
bers waxed rich while the brave men
who stopped bullets were ragged and
hungry.
"At that time there was brave man
in the White house, and when he found
out the rascaIity that was being prac-