The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-03-29
WICHITA HAS FAME
Its Credit and Reputation
Stands Very High.
ITS PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT
Appeals Strongly to People of
the East

Fred Funston Of Kansas will 20 far
toward counteracting the impression OF
Kansas revived in the east on accoun,
of Mrs. Nations depredations,' said R.
H. Faxon last night.
Mr.. Faxon. who is private secretary to
Representative Chester I. Long Of the
Seventh district, has recently returned to
the state from Washington, and is in
Wichita for few days before going to
Medicine Lodge. Representative Long is
still in Washington. but will arrive home
within weeks time.
! In response to a question, Mr.. Faxon
last night made brief statement in re-
/ gard to the standing and notoriety which
had come to Kansas by reason of the re-
cent actions Of Mrs. Nation. He said:
l do not know that citizens of Medi-
| cine Lodge are exactly in good repute in
| Wichita, in view of recent occurrences in
which citizen of our town participated.
I wish to say, however, that not all the
| citizens of Medicine Lodge by any means
approve the lawlessness which unfortun-
ately thrust more notoriety upon the
| town and the state.
For the past few years Kansas has
lived down its evil doings, real as well
as imaginary. It's name has not been
ridiculed in the east with the frequency
which had prevailed in the past The
state has been respected. It's citizens
have been honored abroad The won
derful crops, the overhowing banks the
deeds of the Twentieth Kansas, the ac-
lions of the able representa- tives in con-
gress-al lhave contributed TO the change
that came over the east. We of Kansas
who happened TO be east were in hopes
that at last that section would honor
the un1ower state for what it is-not for
what IL might have been or what it was
considered to have been.
Just as this state of affairs was well
established came the National dis
grace. Just as Kansans congratulated
themselves and were receiving praise
and commentator for their excellent be-
havior and magnificent achievements
came a new disturbing element in the
state. From out of the little town OF
Medicine Lodge came deuded reform
er, and what she did turned her head.
Space writers thrived; fake correspon-
dence appeared with glaring headlines in
the eastern prints; special correspon-
dents were sent from their papers 10 tell
the east of the latest freak action of
Kansas and a Kansan. The state, not
the individual, ha dto bear the brunt of
this fresh notoriety. Again were re-
vived in the minds of enterprising east
ern newspapers and people who still
think Indians and bufaloes and sod
houses predominant in Kansas. all the
mean things that for half century had
been said of our state. Trades against
Kansas were INDUCED in. Unenviable
notoriety came to the state. The woman
who caused it all could not resist the at
tention directed toward her Encour-
aged by the east; worked to a frenzied
pitch by the space given her by the
press of the east; fattered by attention
which no one seriously would have given
an old woman, not crazy, but an ultra
extremist and faddist-on account Of ali
these, Mrs. Nation pursued her depreda-
lions until Judge Hazen Of Topeka had
nerve enough to dispose of her effectu-
ally. Right here I wish to remark that
among sensible people of the east. the
name of Judge Hazen is a household
word and he is commended for what he
has done
it not been for outside encourag cement
Mrs. Nation never would have pursued
her way so far as she has done
The best people of the east. however
caught their feet and began TO reason
with themselves on this latest Kansas
occurrence. 1t is not as bad now as It
has been. but Kansas will have paid
dearly enough for the depredations of
Mrs. Nation. 1t may take years to re-
gain our position and standing But we
viii do it as surely as we have done II
in the past. At the doors of those who
for false sentiment. malice, or desire to
make news that was 'hot-stufG' whether
within or without the state lies all the
blame And it is encouraging TO know
that every loyal Kansan. proud Of his
state and her achievements, has attempt
ed in the east to atone by his action and
his argument for the plight we have been
placed in becaus g foolish old woman
sought to rctify what may be lawlessness
by still worse and more inexcusabIe law
1essness.''
The deeds Of General Funston" con
tinued Mr. Faxon. will be pleasing to
the east. There he is known because Of
his fame in Cuba as well as in the Phil
ippines with the Twentieth Kansa- II
must be pleasing for all Kansans TO note
in the dispatches that Representative
Long. who is still In Washington, lost no
time in calling on the president and war
department and urging General Funston
for a nomination to be brigadier general
in the regular establishment. 1t is a
contamination devoutly to be wished for
that in his efforts Mr.. Long may be sue
cessful- Coming on the heels of the dis
graceful Nation episode, I know how
cheering IT must be TO Kansans in the
east the news of the recent happenings
in the Philippines"
Speaking OF the standing OF the state
delegation IN congress il Washington.
Faxon said.
II is matter Of great qualification to
Kansas that it has one OF the best and
strongest delegations any state has in
the lower house. Mr.. Long has added 70
his strength gained IN the first session
Of the Fifty-sixth congress His position
on the committee OF ways ard means
has placed him IN high favor with the
great leaders Of the house. BIS success
ful fight for the re-apqointment Of rep
resentatives which would allow Kansas
10 retain It's eight members Is deserving
u proper appreciation BY the state His
speech and reception ~ Portland Maine
and before the American Tari@ League
banquet in New York City are worthy
Of f-congratulStion By the people of
the district aud state.
Mr.. Curtis has developed into a strong
member. and his position IL assured as
an authority o. al Indian matters he
IS hard working and popular. ard assist