Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-05-12
A SMALL BORE GOVERNOR.

1t was hoped by all loyal Kan
sans that the present governor would
at least be fair in his dealings with the
volunteers frome this state now in the
Philippines, when it became necessary
for him to act IN any manner efectine
them
But the Wichita Sunday school
teacher who now occupies the COVER
nor's chair has sadly disappointed many
of the men who supported HIM believ.
ing he would rise above the party bosses
and himself be governor. In his latest
action of any Importance, that of nam
ing a successor to Genl. Funston as
colonel of the 10th Kansas volunteers.
Gov. Stanley has placed himself in the
class of small bore politicians who can.
not get above doing little, ignoble
things that he thinks-or that his party
bosses tell him-will advance his party's
interests by administering rebuke to
one who had the independence, the
manhood and intelligence to stand by
his honest political convictions even
though his party said nay.
Lieutenant Col. Ed. c. Little should,
by all precedent. by all riles of civil as
well as army etiquette, have been pro-
NOTED to the colonelcy made vacant by
the advancement of former colonel,
Fred Funston. But Little, although a
republican all his life. having been hon
ored by President Harrison with the
appointment as y. S. Minister to Cairo,
Egypt, which position he filled most
creditably, was one of the many Kan
sas republicans who could not go tc
bed one night silver man and get ul
the next morning gold-bug. Little
had too much brains, too much hon
esty and consistency of purpose to thus
change his belief; and so in the cleo
tions of 1896 his voice was heard
throughout the land in the interests Of
bi-metallism.
In this he committed the unpardona
BILE sin according to Kansas republican
bosses. And for this they saw to it that,
although there has never been a wore
against his qualifications for just pro-
motion, never word against hi
bravery, loyalty, competency or WORTH
ness as a soldier he should be snubbed
should be humiliated by having subor
dinate officer promoted over him by ;
sanctimonious sycophant who tries Il
conceal the real motive for the act by
claiming the recommendation of Gen
eral Funston.
Governor Stanley knew he was no
going to give Little his rights long be
fore he could hear from Funston. HI
knew that the party bosses were deter
mined to chastise Little for presumins
to refuse to be gold bug, and his ever,
expression to newspaper men, to friend
OF Little, and even to Littles age,
father. was an indication that he wa
going to swat the bright young patrio
IN the neck for daring to assert hi
manhood.
When the regimental officers of th
10th Kansas were named, Ed. Littl
could have been named colonel, Blu
he insisted that. as Funston had ha
military experience he should have tn
place. Little was private secretary t
Governor John w. Leedy. and exerte
all bis influence with Governor Leedy {
have Funston appointed colonel of til
regiment. he, Little, being satisfied t
take subordinate position. Ifit fnall
deveiopes that General Funston recon-
mended the injustice to Little. such a
act will tarnish the bright halo ths
surround him at the present time
The time will come when Kansas peopl
will know the full and complete facts i
this case. and their well known loyait