The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-19
PLACE FOR FUNSTON.
Charles F. Scott NOminates Him
For Governor General of
the Philippines.

The latest boom proposed for Gen.
Funston is to make him governor gem
eral of the Philippines. It was officially
launched Thursday night by Charles F.
Scott of lola, the lifelong friend of Fun
ston, in an address before the knife
and Fork club of Kansas City. In
speaking of the propositions to run Fun
ston for governor and several other
offices when he gets home, Senator Scott
said:
The place for Gen. Funston at the
close of the war is not in Kansas poll
tics; nature and training have fitted
him for distinguished military career
and with his ability he would fill such
a position as Gen. Brooke occupies in
Cuba with credit to himself 1 would
nominate him for governor general of
the Philippines. Then you would see
administration that would rebound
to the glory of the American nation.
Gen. FunstOnS ability has only been
put to the test along one line in the
Philippines-that of a military officer.
In his eVentful career before going with
his regiment to subdue the Filipinos he
displayed talents as an organizer in
Cuba and was relied upon by Gen.
Gomez. These things have never come
as a surprise to those who knew him
intimately, much less to me. 1 doubt
if anybody outside of his family has had
a better opportunity to study his re-
SOurceful character than 1.
L do not believe he will enter Kansas
politics. The petty aggravations of Sc
curing and holding office would be dis
tasteful to him. In all the years 1 have
known him he has never talked about
politicians and local issues ten minutes.
Besides, it must be remembered he
is no longer a colonel and may not re-
turn with his regiment to Kansas. AS
a brigadfer general he will be employed
by the government in affairs of larger
import. He belongs to the nation.
If a political military appointment
Wherein iPS
would be actively employed, 1 am con-
tident he would accept it, and he would
fill it as ably as he has the positions
which he has held
Continuing, Mr.. Scott said:
The same lively human interest that
prompts everybody to inquire about the
past life of a man who suddenly springs
into prominence also leads one to inquire
future. over in Kansas where the i'm
preston prevails that nobody has really
tasted of this worll's glory until he has
held a political office. it is of course,
taken for granted that General Funston
viii come home and go into politics When
promptly entered in the race for congress
w hen ne led the charge at Malolos he was
Bagbag he was slated for senator. When
he swan the Rio Grande he was promptly
put on the ticket with Mckinley Ana
when he charged the intrenchments at
Calumpit and was made brigadier he
was declared to be a candidate for presi-
a man she goes to the end of the road
There has been but one variation in this
programme so 1ar as L nave observed. and
that comes. might be expected. from
Wichita. which modest but enterprising
city proposes to fortify the banks of the
Little Arkansas. man the fortifica tions
with negroes and pay Funston and his
regiment of smooth swimmers 81 900 to re-
peat the exploit of the Rio Grande by
rifles in their teeth in the face of a with
ering fire of blank cartridges and captur-
ing the fort.
There are some very excellent things
about this suggestion, the nerve of it for
example. but there is one serious difficulty
in the way of carrying it into practical
effect. and that is the fact that when
General Funston swins a river he usu-
ally furnishes his own sand and the ad-
dition of any more sand to the supply car
ried in stock by the Little Arkansas would
make the stream unnaViga Bile.
Il do not know what General Funston
will do when he returns to Kansas and 1
do not care. 1t viii be time enough for
that when he has sheathed his sword. 1t
is enough for me to know that in an army
of heroes he has shown himself the braV-
est of the brave. that he has elorified
Kansas. that he has added luster to
American arms and has demonstrated
again for all the world to see. that the
American volunteer is the finest soldier
on the great round earth. He has led in
person every charge that his regiment has
made. and has thus far marvelously es-
capped without serious injury. God guard
him in the battles yet to come and bring
him safe home TO the friends that love
him. to the state that is infinitely proud
of him. "a the nation that honors and ap-