Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-04-16


ticians are freed from the only vital
issue in state affairs and!relievedf from
the embarrassment of opposing the
political power of whiskey are enabled
to concentrate all efforts on the
business end Of politics.
Excepting the congressional dele
CATION we have at this time, reached
the dead level OF mediocrity in APP
pointmentS and nominations. The
party in Kansas is divided into two
personal factions. Most of the active
office seekers by counties and congress
SIonal districts are ranged on the side
Of Burton or Leland. The question
Of personal character and individual
fitness of education and experience
for the place sought for, has largely
been eliminated. The trading, lying,
dickering, promising for county and
state Offices is conducted with the same
craftsmanship used in running horse
races or a faro table. "Can be get his
county," Is his congressional district
solid for hlm?" and "Who is backing
him, Burton or Leland?" These are
the all important questions that be-
longs to the factional spoils system.
Thousands of voters who believe in
republicanism are growing tired Of
being voted and their counties used
and traded and promised without any
regard for the wishes Of the people by
these mere gambling polotics. They
are tired Of waiting to find out what
is to be done with their county in the
congressional and state conventions
by Burton or Leland or other ''lcsd-
erS" Of factions. 1t has become q
thin and unsubstantial farce as an ex-
preston Of the peoples will.
1.-THE truth about the political Stu
alton in the republican party is this:
There is no essential differ moral
or politically between the factions Of
Burton or Leland. Their objects and
methods are the same. Neither OF
them rises above the commercial
scramble for the OFFICES. Neither of
them represents today, the best Gle
mentS of the republican party and
neither of them will command the
confidence OF the people of the state
for any great length Of time. The
appointments Of Burton with two or
three exceptions, are no better and it
may be said not particularly worse
than those dictated by the old Leland
dynasty. There is nothing in the
mere personal contest between Bur-
ton and Leland that SO constantly and
extensively fills the atmosphere to in
terest the voters or to add strength or
force to republicanism in our state.
1.-The thinking voter today who is
not a candidate for office, is asking:
"What does the republican party Of
Kansas represent outside the personal
wishes of Burton and Leland?' And
he is going step further and saying
what they are doing and what they
represent is not enough to satisfy the
voter who is republican because he
believes in the progressive and aggres-
sive spirit of the party and its princi-
pies.
The state administration from the
governor down is using the whole
power of the party and its patronage
| in the state to further personal am
| billions, aims and objects. The
whole machinery OF the party and it's
offices, including the oficeholding
head of the party'S state central COM
mittee seem to be demoralized by the
factoinal scramble for official suprem-
acy. The political shystering in the
executive council when Railroad
Commissioner Finney was defeated
for reelection is recent evidence OF
the inside political situation. Prom
iseS of support to Mr.. Finney were
ignored to carry out The political
schemes which will require four years
| to mature. Auditor Coles letter
Withdrawing from the gubernatorial
race further indicates that he was
gotten into the race simply to be used
for other purposes and with no inten-
ton of making him the nominee.
''The Herald as an independent
republican paper raises It's voice
against the demoralizing TENDENCIES of
factional, personal politics. The
voters have right to demand some.
thing better from the republican
party than the methods OF Burton,
Leland, Stanley and their lieuten-
ants.