The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-30
THE "SUN'' ANDT. s. ELDER
a Kansas Legislator the Subject Of a
New York Editorial
[From the New York SUM-

1t is something of a bother to read a
large slice of fine print, but the man
who reads these resolutions, introduced
into the Kansas house of representa-
tives by the Hon. T. s. Elder, Fusionist,
OF Stafford county, will be a better man
If there is any good in him:
Whereas, The greatest enemy to leg
1SIatfon is rank partiSanShip, and stands
more in the way of good lawmaking
than a thousand poisoned arrows, and a
member may introduce a bill of merit,
one of real worth and one which would
bring sunshine and joy to the homes of
Kansas That no sooner is a bill read
and the name of the introducer made
Known than an Odium attaches it
that's a Pop or that's a Republican
bill. So the matter goes, and the peo-
pie, who are the bone and the nerve
and sinew of the country, are beaten
out of legislation which would bless
their homes all because lot of political
demagogues let craftsmanship control
their better judgment; and,
Whereas, The people are looking to
the legislators for good laws which will
make their burdens lighter and life hap
pier, and the members of this house
know that politics and the name of an
introducer of a, bill, though it might be
all that heaven could wish, too often
defeats it. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the name of the in
PRODUCER of a bill be omitted from this
time and all names thus far on bills
introduced be taken off in order that we
may come at more honest disposal of
all bills which may come before this
house,
OF all the plans for giving partisan
ship antitOxin this plan of Mr.. Elders
is the most pleasing, and we offer It
without charge to all associations and
clubs that devote themselves to the
suppression of poisoned arrows. o,
Kansas, thou bringest all thingsi 1t is
true that the style often betrays the
man and always the Populist, and the
-fsyir1 oI hi md IA
spring up in the Kansas legislature
cannot disguise their origin So the
Democrat flaming against the curse of
gold and trampling upon monopoly can
not be concealed by the domino of an
onymity.
It is also true that Mr.. Elder requires
/ of legislators a degree of modesty and
self-renunciation scarcely to be attained
outside of Mugwumpia. Why do MEM
bers of legislatures sit up nights to in
vent bills? Why do the revised statutes
threaten to cover more space than the
British museum and the complete works
of Andrew Lang? Why is the Octopus
pursued with spear and net In every
state and territorial legislature? Be
cause Fame is always at her old tricks,
the jilt. The legislator works for her
The people of his district must know
that he is taking his turn at the helm
and making due entry in the log book.
Make his bills anonymous and you STAY
the primary instinct of legislation and
the world will have to worry on with
fewer patches of statute on his law
ridden old carcass. This might help the
world, but it would kill the legislator.
and SO the dream of Elder of Stafford
cannot come true The poisoned arrows
must continue to shoot. Fortunately,
the Kansas folks are full of sunshine
and joy and bonds, and Will De aple 10
stand craftsmanship.
Anonymity, though, might be worth a
good deal to a statesman. Can it be
pleasant for the Hon. William L. VIII
son to feel that the damning legend
ssWiIson bill'' is still to be read on his
college gown?