The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-09
RAPS BURTON HARD.
Appointment of a Democrat Is
Causing Trouble.

The removal of Dr. Thomas Blakeslee
from the revenue office and the appoint
ment of J. E. Watrous, a Democrat has
stirred up a hornets nest in Wilson
county.
The Republican county convention,
which has just been held at Neodesha-
condemned both Collector Sutton and Sem
ator Burton for turning out BlakeSlee and
putting in Watrous. The convention de-
nounced ''the extending of aid and comfort
to political enemies. especially when there
capable and deserving Republicans
entitled to and properly desiring such
favors." and resolved that 1--WE
emphatically condemn the removal
of DR.. Thomas Blakeslee of Neo-
desha for thirty-two years one of
the most loyal, active and in
huential Republicans of Wilson county,
from the office of deputy United States
revenue collector, without the least justi-
fable reason ground and in defiance of
honorable and correct political policy, to
make room for a lifelong Democrat in
that position
publishing open letter to Senator Bur-
ton. The letter follows:
Neodesha. Kan, Oct 2, 1901.
J. r. Burton, Abilene. Kan:
My Dear Senator: AS a basis and text
audacity in thus addressing you, 1 beg to
literally quote the pertinent portion OF
Internal Revenue Service.
District of Kansas, Collector's Office,.
Thomas Blakeslee Esq, Deputy Collec-
tor. Neodesha. Kansas:
Dear Sir: You informed by this let
ter that your services as deputy collector
viii terminate 1b at the &C eless & OF BUSINESS 1sei
and that Mr.. J. e. Watrous is appointed
You Y M are ns to t6at this IS done
at the request of J. r Burton, United
Sa Sg reae who Wifnes n &c on c
count of anything personal to you, for
whom ne entertalns none Dur tn 1ne s9tS PEST
full and efficient services in his behalf.
And 1 wish to add in my own behalf that
tions with so competent an officer and
faithful, earnest friend as you are and
have been since / appointed YOU
Resretfully end "a affeSft4iDna1tSly sf41 S1acso y1S1grs
In obedience M to the foregoing @ goeIs order is
sued by the readily-adaptabl beneficiary
terday turned the office over to a lifelong
Democrat, who publishes paper in the
fiourishing and beautiful city of Burlng-
Now. Senator, I wish to acknowledge
sonai son regard as indicated in Mikes Iauda-
tory lines; ! note also THAT ne avoWs' rtH
the motive impelling- your action. The
Mountain labored After six months SER
ambitious state of Kansas. your efforts
have been signal1zed by making Peter,
master at Parsons, and you have DANGLING
at your belt the scalp of poor little reve-
and both achievements are of doubtful
political distinction. In the lottery result
ing from the municipality of pledges of
political reward, one lone Democrat has
thus far drawn a prize, while the various
this office, hold blank. Can it be, SEN
ator that in addition to what has oft
been said, it shall also be charged that
you do not pay ten cents on the dollar of
your political promises? In the final
despite your invocationS to Deity IN be-
half of pure politics (since you became
a changed man'1, doubt if the re
wardfng of a faithful and efficient DEM
Republicans as to cause them to support
YOUR return to the high office attained by
Questionable methods
In the Republican convention of wilson
township was fully represented, were q
score or more of delegates who wrre en-
thusiastic original Burton men in the last
campaign, but not a. single one of them
condemning the policy instituted by yon
of removing Republicans from office and
appointing Democrats in their stead.
Meanwhile, Mike still holds Why re-
and responsive to your orders? / do not
believe either George. w. Findlay or J. M.
Simpson would appoint q Democrat even
at your dictation- Better keep Mike in un-
til that kind of work is finished.
Finally. senator, can you, or any other
citizen of Kansas, recall the time in the
history of the state since its admission
into the Union, when the name of Uni
ted States senator has been so frequently
and fagrantly printed in the newspapers
as being not only identified but directly
linked with pledges of official appoint
ments and rewards given to secure sup
port in furtherance of his election?
T. BLAKESLEE-