Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1903-07-03
THE STATE DlSGRACED.

people of all the states for contributions for the
food sufferers, followed by his opposition, in
the legislature, to the state contributing penny
to their relief, is not only humiliation to ev-
cry true Kansan, but it makes him who, unfor-
tunately for the people, occupies the executive
chair of Kansas disgrace to the state.
Whether this necusable blunder was the re-
suit of ignorance, political trickery or yenality,
it matters not, for it demonstrates that W. j.
Bailey is not fit man to reprerent Kansas in
any capacity. He has sung the song OF pros
perity throughout the state, and told the OFT
repeated story about the banks being gutted
with money, and then turns around and puts
the state in the position of public beggar,
and in the midst of the receiving of aims from
outside the state, the nat is passed here at home,
during the special session of the legislature,
and the Governor winks to the house and SEN
ate to look the other way while he turns his
back upon the homeless, breadless, penniless
food sufferers, and says, 81 know you not"
This record is the most shameful ever made
by any governor in the history of our county,
and ought to be condemned by every true Kansan.
Governor Bailey, by this act, proves himself
"peanut politician" of the smallest kind.
That there was politics in it is recognized, and
charged, by many of the best men in the Re-
publican party. For instance, the Topeka
Herald, Gen. Joe Hudson's paper, handles the
subject in the following manner:
sit is the prevailing method of considering
and disposing of everything from political
standpoint which constantly subjects Kansas to
the kind of humiliation which 1t is suffering
right at this time from the action OF the legis-
lature. The o.called leaders of the party were
in panic from the moment an extra session
was proposed until convened, for fear it might,
in some way, affect the political prospects OF
the party next year. When the legislature as
sembled. almost the first act was to fix the time
for final adjournment within twenty-four hours
of assembling, for fear session prolonged be-
vond that time would create an opportunity to
make political mistake The real purpose in
calling the session was lost sight OF in the anx-
ietv to conduct it so that it would not have any
ill-effect politically. A little more deliberate
action in the proper spirit would have given
the members an opportunity to have known the
real needs of the food victims and the wishes
of the people regarding them. The desire on
the part of the faction leaders to put each other
sin hole also had much to do with the gen
eraly-unsatisfactory outcome. Governor Bailey
has received much severe criticism tor the &C.
ton of the legislature, but he has received
more than his share The legislature should
be held accountable for its blunders Even II
the Governor did attempt to influence that body,
there was no legal or moral obligation on its
mart TO accept his Judgment or dictation.
ssThe only thing that is left for the people to
do is to elect men to the legislature hereafter
who are big enough to know where politics
should end and patriotic and unselfish public
service be the only controlling influence"
But Charley Finch, whose Republicanisrn
cannot be doubted, hits 'em still harder. He
says in his paper, the Lawrence Gazette:
ssWhen the monkey business began on the
food relief, the Gazette declared that politics
would control the whole matter. Politics has
controlled it, absolutely and disreputably. The
work of the present session has been disgrace
to the administration, disgrace to the legisla-
ture and disgrace to the state. When we say
that. we say only what was said on the floor of
both house and senate. There, men were
tainted with being tools of the machine and
tools of other politicians, and they only cover
ed when the lash was applied. And at every
test vote, members would be seen sneaking
from the room in order to keep from going on
record when the roll was called. 1t was dis
graceful, a humiliating spectacle, and one that
made every true Kansan blush for shame
We have talked with number of people
about this matter, and have not found one who
;s satisfied with the action of the Governor, OF
Of the legislature. The usual question is
,,r,.,, 10, did the Governor call the lepisa.