The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-30
WOULD REVIVE IT.
Plan to Inject Life Into Re-
publican League.
State Meeting to Be Held in
Topeka June %.
CHANGES SUGGESTED.
Amendments to Constitution
Are Now Proposed.
Want Hand in Distributing the
Patronage.
CHANGES SUGGESTED.

Frank P. Lindsay, of Topeka, presi-
dent of the Kansas Republican league,
viii soon issue a call for the annual
convention of the league which this
year will probably be held June % in
Topeka.
This meeting of the league will elect
delegates to the national league conven-
ton which will be held at st. Paul
July 1920
The national meeting of the league
this year promises to be of more in
terest than any of the meetings which
have preceded it in the history of the
organization. The league has always
been political organization, but 1t has
never taken an active part beyond the
endorsement of the suggestions and ac-
lions of others.
1t is now proposed to amend the con-
stitutiOn of the league in such a man
ner that it will become an aggressive
organization and have powers which it
has not heretofore enjoyed.
This departure from the original ira
ditions of the organization has aroused
considerable interest among Republican
politicians, who see in the plan to in
crease the functions Of the league an
effort to take a hand in the political
affairs of the various states to such an
extent that the politicians may be de-
prived of some of their powers in the
dispensation of patronage.
1t is the purpose of those in charge
of this special work to suggest amend
ments to the constitution which will
permit the league to suggest candidates
rather than endorse those suggested by
others. Another feature proposed is the
addition of power which will permit the
Loo to fr1-e
erence to public matters instead Of fol-
lowing along in the path outlined by
others.
The proposed amendments to the con-
stitutiOn will give the league practically
the same powers of a convention, and
the managers of the organization will
have the power, if they chooSe'to use it,
to either endorse or condemn candidates
and to take such other action as it is
deemed for the best interests of the or
/ ganiZation.
The league has been in existence as a
national organization for many years,
but the men who have been identified
with 1t have not been given much con-
/ sideratiOn by those who were promi-
nent in the councils of the party. In
/ fact there has been in Kansas more or
less opposition to the existence of the
! league, many of the leading politicians
! PrOnOuncing it a mere Side-ShOW main
tanned as an opportunity for those who
/ could not attain prominence in conVen-
lions and other party gatherings. to
/ make speeches and adopt resolutions
| and otherwise make a show OF doing
things.
1t is a we'll known fact that the op-
/ position to the league has come alike
| from candidates and party managers,
/ except at such times as there are cleo
tions-then the league is cultivated
very earnestly. Should the proposition
to amend the constitution carry the Re
publican politicians in Kansas may be
forced to change their opinions concern
ing the organization. Instead of at
the politicians are likely to be found
working for the support of the league
as they would seek the friendship of a
convention. The feeling against the
league as a state organization is not
confined to Kansas. The knocking
against it in other states has been re
sponsible for the development of the
purpose of its leaders to take a positive
stand politically. The action of the
league has never been in this direction.
1t is now a simple endorser of what
others do.
one of the subjects to which the
league will give attention, under the re-
organization, if it is effected, will be
the state patronage which is now dealt
out by the senators The word of tbs
senators and one or two cOngressmen
is always accepted by the president
Notwithstanding the wishes of the presi-
, dent or other appointing power. This
, year in Kansas several appointments
which were Objectionable to Republi-
cans have been made because of this
influence of the men who represent the
J state at Washington. This is not 8
, good practice, contend the promoters
of the league, and they viii make ar
effort to so rearrange their organization
that the voice of the people" will be
heard in connection with these matters