The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-19

SlOaL over IQe OIueTl ISltOW-s IL he loses
he takes it in good hunlor and is ready
for another hand.
Mr.. Leland has been a state figure in
politics for a quarter of century,, al
office other than county commissioner
of Doniphan county. He was ONCE a
candidate for .congress-ini 1S78-when
the contest lay between W. w. Guthrie,
of Atchison, and Colonel William A
Phillips, of Salina. Phillips was can
didate for denomination. but Guthrie
and Leland were candidates against
him. Leland might have nominated
either, but he believed that Phillips
ought to give way, and he held his men
in line. The result was the nomination
of John Anderson. At that time the
First district included practically what
Sixth
Leland has always had Doniphan
county behind him. Doniphan is his
kingdom. and he has always held it
Overwhelmingly in the Republican col
umn. In 1892 he brought out Major
then Morrill, for gov
ernor. There was a big contest over the
nomination, but Leland, who bore the
big end of MorrilPs fight, was defeated
by A. w. Smith. of Mcpherson. In a
few weeks, however, he was ready for
another fray, and two years later he
landed the nomination for Morrill, He
was made chairman of the Republican
state central committee and put up such
a hard fight against PopuliSm that he
Two years later Morrill, was reno1ni-
mated, but Leland gave his attention to
the national campaign instead of the
state, and the Republican ticket was de-
feated.
1t was in the months leading up to
the campaign of 1896 that Mr.. Leland
won the friendship of Mckinley and
Hanna. He attracted their attention by
the success with which he conducted
the state campaign of 1894, and when
Hanna started to land Mckinley in the
presidential chair he asked Leland to
orga nize the forces in Kansas with that
end in view. Leland did it so thorough
ly that Kansas led the procession of
states in instructing for Mckinley, and
it was apparently unanimous.
One of Leland's greatest defeats was
when he failed to land the First dis
trict congressional nomination for his
protege, w. J. Bailey, three years ago.
The fight against Bailey was really
directed against Leland. The Organiza-
ton which has since become known as
"the boss busters was organized with
the sole object of overthrowing Leland.
1t championed Charles Curtis, one of
the strongest men in the state, and sue
ceeded in defeating Bailey, and through
him, Leland.
The contest over the Topeka pension
agency, to which Mr.. Leland was APP
pointed by President Mckinley four
years ago, would never have occurred
had not Mckinley been assassinated
McKinley's murder gave I1eland's en-
emies a chance to get at him directly
by fighting his reappointment as pen
sion agent Again by uniting one of
the most popular men in Kansas, and
also popular with President Roosevelt,
they have succeeded in prying Leland
loose from the place which was con-
ceded to him few months ago for an
other four years.
Leland's influence lies in his power of
organization and in his fidelity to his
friends. He never 4goes back on tbs
men who stay with him, no matter what
may be the result to him personally.
In the contest which has just closed
Congressman Long, Calderhead and
Bowersock supported Leland and Bur-
ton, Curtis, Reeder, Scott and Miller
were opposed to him.