The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-12
SMITH AND LELAND.
Mcpherson Politician Scores the Man
From Troy.

Ivy
A. w. Smith of Mcpherson has made
public a letter concerning his relations
with Cyrus Leland. He urges the over
throw of Leland. Smith accuses Leland
of treachery, indifference and about
everything else unbecoming in a Re
publican manager. OF Leland's meth
DDS he says:
Cyrus, the truth is that your man
agement drove 10000 votes away from
the Republican party, and the same
thing was repeated again in 1898 when
you managed the campaign. In view
of these facts, if it is not too pointed
a question, may I ask if you have not
received a great deal of credit as a
vote getter that does not belong to
you2"
continuing Mr. Smith says:
If it is a crime to oppose you and
stand for Intelligent, decent and loyal
leadership, then I am a criminal. You
say that all the fellows who are OPP
posing you have run up against you
IN convention and got hurt, hence they
are sore. Let me assure you that your
power to preVaricate is only exceeded
by your egotiSm. 1t was never my mis-
fortune to be hurt by you in a conven-
ton. You remember the state conVen-
ton of 1892? 1 was nominated for gov
ernor against your wishes. The sting
of defeat was for you to endure and
not me. You went nome from that
convention so sore that you skulked
during the entire campaign and would
not lift your hand as national commit
teeman to make campaign here in
Kansas; and when the fight was on and
the interest of the Republican party
was at stake, l went to LeavenWOrth
and got you into my room at the Ma
tiOnal hotel and told you how hard we
were pressed for means and how de-
sirable it was to have a national cam
patgn made, and urged you as national
committeeman to use your influence
to get us help. You listened to my ap-
peal with your eyes fixed upon the Gus
pidOr, and when concluded my state
ment you replied: Smith, this is your
fight and left me without a friendly
word. When we applied to the national
committee for help we were told that
Mr.. Leland had charge of matters in
Kansas and he thought that it would
be waste of time and means to try to
carry Kansas"
OF events more recent Mr.. Smith
writes the following:
DO you remember what occurred at
the Hutchinson convention? In all your
public utteranceS you claimed to be for
Hood for governor. You were consid-
cred one of his advisers, indeed you and
your delegation supported him in con-
vention, and yet in your recent inter-
view you publicly declare that you
were for Mr.. Stanley. This must be
soothing information for Major Hood
and his friends. 1t only illustrates
your pO1I1cal character ana m6IDOQS-
Is it any wonder, Cy, that fair minded
Republicans are demanding a change?
You say that you are for Baker for
senator. OF course you arei In the same
manner you were for Hood for COVER
nor. A man with a barrel or pull has
a charm for you that you can not re-
sist. Another evidence of your egotism
is your criticism of Frank Grimes for
taking sides in this fight on the bosses
You say that he is a candidate for re-
nomination, hence he should keep his
mouth shut. Is it not just as incOn-
sistent for a federal office-holder and
candidate for reelection as national
committeeman, to take sides in con-
| gressional and senatorial matters? Is
| it not true that you have run up against
| Grimes and got hurt, hence you throw
| out the tip to your henchmen to de-
feat him for denomination? You will
have to ring up the bellboy at the Bios
som house a good many times before
| you can beat one side of Burton s
| bugler, as you call him. You also serve
notice that just as soon as the fight is
| over in the First district, you will turn
your attention to Mr.. Burton and his
followers. In the year 1900 that sort of
| a threat is not a good one to make, not
even by the Blossom house boss.
BY the way, Cy, your record for
! making or unmaking senators is not
| very brilliant, and yet it is quite like
/ your achievements in other political
! lines. You remember that in '95 you
| promised to make me senator and you
| also promised to make Major Hood
| senator at the same time, and got his
money to use in the campaign on the
strength of that promise. Then with
| your treacherous instinct you ignored
! the promise that you had made to me,
| and the obligations that you were I'M
| der to Major Hood, and tried to make
| yourself senator. When it came to a
vote, you were outclassed by everyone
/ in the race, hence your renewed enmity
/ to all who were against you in that
campaign. I only refer to these mat
! ters to call your attention to the fact
that your record as a senator maker is
nota glittering success.
| There is a very large and respectable
| element of the Republican party that is
/ opposed to your administration and re-
! election, many of whom will be very
! 10th to again line up behind your lead
| ership. We need the votes of every
man of every faction to carry this state
| for Mckinley and Republicanism next
fall You should not stand a barrier
| in the way of success. Your duty is to
! place party consideration above per-
sona1 interest by stepping aside and al
lowing the party to select some worthy,
able and loyal Republican as your sue
cessor. Do this and you will render the
greatest service of your life to the Re
/ publican party"