The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-20

the time would not be wasted to wait.
Mr.. Low has been indispensable to Bur
ton in the latter's political campaigns.
His services have been of lasting benefit
to Burton, and he believed the senator
would stand iitched-' In November
Burton promised Low that he would
make no more fight on Leland, and he
emphasized this promise by SO declaring
to the boss busters. But he renewed
the fight month later, and Mr. Low
then asked for time. This was agreed
to, and Mr. Low came home and stated
the situation to the newspapers
Following this statement the old SOL
diers began to call meetings in behalf.
of Leland Reports of these meetings
were telegraphed to Topeka, and the
faithful Frank Grimes promptly advis-
ed Senator Burton what was going on.
The public sentiment Mr.. Low expected
was forming and it is reported from
Washington that last night or early to-
day Senator Burton shut it all off by
informing the president that he had no
intentions of changing front on the con-
test; that the armistIce obtained by
Low was all a waste of time. and that
longer delay would simply make mat
ters worse. The senator chose his time
adroitly for today was the last meeting
of the senate until after the holidays.
and so the president, acceptlnE this as
the senator's ultimatum, decided to
make it a Christmas gift for. his friend
Gen. Metcalf Senator Burton was in
sistent the politicians reason, because
old soldiers than take the chance OF
having another of his Endorsements
turned down. 1t is admitted by the boss
busters now. after it is all over. that
delay until January meant the reap
pointment of Leland. Such is the the
ory of the politicians, based on the
fra gments of information that have
come in private kilograms today
vandegrift also says Leland beat him
self by asking President Mckinley to
defer his reappOintment out of defer
ence tc Senator Burton. In writing of
Leland in the Kansas City Star Van
degrift SAYS:
when the boss busters began their
fight on him they sought to take the old
soldiers from MN because ne supported
measured strength with them he has won.
In lpo66 6a y h hS Ten 5h t6 od poet of oag on
his most persistent enemies, A. w Smith;
ha9 Won his ii fght FIT until President McKin-
ley was murdered. Even Senator Burton
was so well understood that at Lelands
request President Mckinley held up the
appointment mt u until senator BuTton mlgns 1gns
that act of consideration that lost Leland
ieavng ha fe cor unsgned It aa Waa
this incident, more than anything e. else. s.
reap 1en I'M after 70 Presdent cit
came came IN and SO, fi,t While Leiaaa arie loses MS
w. A White says in the Emporia Ga
zette: s"The friends of Cyrus Leland
were surprised and dumfounded.
mo one can possibly object to the
personality of Wilder Metcalf. He is a
clean straight, brave, honest, young
man. He will fill the office of pension
agent capably and will be credit in
administration He stands for every
thing decent in politics. 1t was prob
ably to give Senator Burton an object
lesson in the value of standing by
r1oa al hd nj
Metcalf, but by publicly announcing
his preference for Leland, the president
has made it plain to all the world
that Leland's failure to land was not
the result of any flaw in his character.
Roosevelt does not stand publicly for
a man he stood for Leland unless
that man has a good record both as
an officer and as a gentleman.
Now as to Leland's defeat He has
come through this fight gathering
strong friends. The strongest men in
land He has never had more power in
Kansas politics than he has today.
"Burton's personal victory will come
at the cost OF the respect n1a OF many
promised to appoint Leland and told
Burton of his intention. Burton asked
Leland to ask Mckinley to hold up Le-
lands appointment till Burton could
name some successful candidate for
some other Kansas office. Mckinley
and Leland agreed in order to please
and oblige Burton. Mckinley died. In
his obligation to the dead
president after that, Burton revealed a
character which leaves his friends with
little breath to cheer for his personal
victory A victory which costs a man
his honor rarely brings much. applause.
Burton is welcome to his triumph"
Here are the comments of E. W. Howe
of the Atchison Globe on the outcome of
the pension agency contest:
Col. Metcalf, who succeeds Cy Leland,
oil Inf of Gnl6iRrG a La
and then went to the Philippines, where
he saw a few months service. Cy Leland
served all through the civil war and the
giving of the pension agency to Metcalf
makes Kansas one Of only two places in
not an old soldier. And Kansas is the |
banner soldier state of the union Met |
calf parts his hair in the middle and no |
doubt can talk Spanish. Cy Leland wasn't |
so bad; we have heard lots of stories on |
him but all of them have lacked con- |
firmation. We're rather sorry he's bust |
ed"