Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-08-21
Advice For Republican,.

The following was the late James
F. Legate's last political uttsrance, Is
dictated to his daughter, Miss Nellie
I.egate, shortly before bis death:
Notwithstanding the fact l have
been sick in bed, for almost three
months, for the most part have been
able to read or have read to me the
leading press ofthe state. How prone
the Republicans Of Kansas are to have
fight with some one! A gentlen an
from Texas in q national convention
arose during an excited period over q
platform and used the exclamation:
Where are we atp' After making bis
speech be was charged with the desire
Of obtaining patronage. His reply
was: Yes, sir, l not only desire to
obtain the patronage, but also control
the moral and political power Of the
president for the welfare Of my peo-
pie and my state There is a little
bunch.oi truth in that speech which
ought to be Modified by the Repub-
licans Of Kansas, applying it to our
senators and members Of congress.
81. R. Burton was elected to the
senate two years ago by a unanimous
vote Of the Republicans in the legisla.
ture. Mr.. Baker, with whom be con-
tested before the people, finding he
had no show, withdrew. Mr.. Burton
has been in the legislature, has been
an active participant in all the politi-
cal contests within the state for more
than twenty years. In all this time
it would be more than strange il
criticisms Of severe nature could
not be made upon bis conduct by
those who felt the weight Of bis power
against them, but 1t seems to me that,
when elected to the senate by such a
unanimity OF the party-that, too,
without the aid Of money, for he was
always poor as church mouse-they
intended to trust him and to trust
him as the representative Of the par
ty. Mr.. Burton has five years yet to
serve In the senate and Leaven worth,
Emporia, Wichita and other localities
that are pounding him may need his
assistance during that time, when be
may say to them, IS Senator Plumb
said to Senator Smith, 'Leavenworth
wants everything Of everybody and
never does anything for anybody.
Mr.. Burton's standing in the senate
is fully equal to any Of the younger
senators, respected and hcnored by
them all.
"ltis questionable whether the state
convention at Wichita intended its in
dorsement Of the reciprocity with
Cuba. The composition Of that con-
vention was mainly Of men Of un-
qualified proclivities for protection.
W. J. Bailey was always high pro-
tectionist. James Troutman was an
unqualified protectionist. Miller,
Enright and Richter we're simply
hangers-on to the band wagon. Long
came to the state after having made
quite record upon the question OF
reciprocity with Cuba and sought the
Endorsement OF the convention and
his friends, including W. j. Bailey,
yielded to his solicitations. The only
divergence from the rule Of protection
in the state was Governor Stanley,
who started out upon the Democratic
theory OF reciprocity, which means
Tree trade. He called a conference to
meet at Chicago, never having dis
covered his mistake until j. Sterling |
Morton made bis appearance at the
eminent Democrat,
always vigilant for the welfare Of his
party. Thus ended Governor Stan
ey's theory Of reciprocity, but he was
candidate for the senate Of the
United States in the place Of Mr.. Hsr-
lis, and has sought every wave on
which to float his craft to reach that
raven. That convention was com.
posed Of syndicate Of candidates for
The purpose to defeat W. J. Bailey.
3ailey fought bis battles openly and
for himself, not to defeat
anybody, and in that way he was sure
. be successful and was successful.
There Is another syndicate against a
ounta- NJ. ~l~a U,.-l.- /