The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-26
REEDER AND HIS VICTORY.


The late Sixth district convention
developed a condition in Republican
politics. in that district at least. that is
alarming. Congressman W A. Reeder
was first defeated and then renomi-
mated; he was the leader of sufficient
forces to control the convention, and
then he was deserted; Decatur county
swore allegiance to one side and then
to another only to return to the orig
inal promise; the congressman rallied
his force and finally won. and through
it all there had been nothing but trick
cry. chicanery and the Reputation Of
promises. Friends worked together and
then stopped to entrap each other
Verify. the man who says politics is bad
to the core and that an honest man
can not be successful in the game.
would feel that he had the evidence TO
prove his assertion in the Norton con-
vention
There were eighty-one men who
signed an ironclad agreement not to
vote for Reeder at any time, provided
a majority of the delegates signed the
paper. Then in the face of that
stampede was started for Reeder. Not
much of an uncomfortable rush, to be
sure. but more than sufficient to do the
was instructed by the people Of their
home to vote for Reeder. That same
delegation was threatened with being
left out of the convention. by a political
trick, unless they would vote against
Reeder. The promise was given, only
to be broken.
And the man who broke that promise
was housed in the home of the leader
Of the anti forces. After he had been
told in all confidence and candor he
sneaked away from his friends and
went over to the enemy Then post
masters who were dressed in a little
brief authority and who draw their
regular compensation from the govern
ment through the grace of Mr. Reede1.
deserted him in the hour of need, only
to beg to be allowed to get back into
the band wagon at the last moment.
Think of it all. Abuse and criticism
censure and ridicule has been heaped
upon Bit Reeder. More or less of it
may be just but this one thing can be
said of Congressman Reeder, as the
situation now stands: He stood by his
friends. Through all of the fight there
was no hint of trickery nor deceit on
his part. Reeder is either a far more
honest man or a smoother politician
than the rest. If he stopped to the
methods of the opposition it is not
known
It is safe to say that majority of
the Republicans of that district had
expressed themselves for Reeder. 1t
was only possible for the ants by IN
demanded methods to win the fight
against him.
The speeches at the convention, fol-
lowing the old-time political system,
were full of the loyalty to the party
fzz. and the delegates cheered such
sentiments. After all the result shows
that party allegiance and principles
played about as much part in the de-
hberations Of the convention as a can
opener would at a brewers convention.
1t was patronage and postof1ces tnat
kept the delegates loyal to the party
and switching from one side to another.
Those that were run over by the band
wagon are still loyal to the principles
of the faith, and they win be after the
patronage and postoffices next time
The Sixth district is purely Democratic
in its beliefs. The man with the clean
cut, close fitting suit OF English tweed
and the polished shoes can not win. The
man, like 'Bill'' Reeder. with farm
behind him and an inch of tan between
his hat and his closely fitting Prince
Albert suit is the nan who is going to
get there. It is lust as wen. There is
plenty of rugged congressional timber
of that Democratic sort in the Sixth
district. Reeder is correct when he an
nounced that half or two-thirds OF the
convention were as able to represent the
district in congress as he. The other
half or third was made up of the mani
pulating politicians who We're keeping
up the loyalty and party allegiance agi-
tation.
Reeder is all right. He is honest. He
knows his people and his people know
him and that combination was too mucn
for the tricksters. Bill" Reeder Won
and he won't make speeches but he will
look out for pensions and irrigation.
| He'll remember. too. the triekery and
deceit of politics of the politicians in
, the Sixth district.