The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-04
GOVERNOR is
TELLING FACTS
Watonga Republican Speaks
Its Mind Freely.
HAS RIGHTS LIKE OTHERS
No Controversy Existed Over
Wenners Appointment
HAS RIGHTS LIKE OTHERS

still discussing the editorial which re-
Gently appeared in the Watonga Republi-
can. which is owned by Governor Fergu-
son. relative to the alleged attempt on
the part of certain persons to show that
the appointment of Fred L. Wenner as
secretary of the school land board was
not satisfactory to men who run Re
publican politics in Oklahoma. The news
papers have taken up the matter and it
has been the subject of numerous edit
orisls. Governor Ferguson talked freely
with the representative Of the Eagle to-
day regarding the Republican editorial
and the appointment of school land de-
partment secretary.
yes, there has been considerable dis
cussion in the papers relative to the artl-
Gle in the Watonga Republican referring
TO the appointment of Wenner and the
criticisms Of certain persons in regard
TO it," said Governor Ferguson The
Watonga Republican has always as
sumed the right to speak its sentiments
upon any public question and has never
stopped 10 consider whether its express
sions would be or would not be approved
by everybody who might read them. 1t
makes no difference by whom its edito-
riaIs are written. That paper assumes
the right which accorded to other RepuD-
lican papers, to express its sentiments
whenever so disposed, and [ know OF no
legaiized press censorship IN Oklahoma
There was no controversy among the
members of the school land board over
the appointment of Wenner. When 1t
was ascertained that J. J. Houston could
not be retained as secretary. the matter
was freely discussed by the members Of
said board. Mr.. Grimes was preparing
10 take a journey-my recollection IS TO
the Indian territory. He first suggested
that the change in the secretary once
be postponed until he Crimes could re-
turn, when the board could take the mat
ter up, look further into it and, If nee
essary. select a new man. Ny reply was
that a change was necessary and should
take place at once. Mr.. Grimes replied
that if / felt that way about it, he had
nothing to say, as / had gone further into
the investigation and it would be all right
with him, as he realized that Mr.. Baxter
and myself could control the affair any
way. / asked Mr.. Grimes if he had any
names to suggest. He wanted to know
IL / had anyone in view. My reply was
that I had thought of several names,
but did not know that any of them
would fill the bill Mr.. Grimes suggested
two names and asked that they be con-
sidered, one of them especially. But,
said he. Baxter and yourself can name
the secretary, as you form a majority
of the board and 1 will be satisfied with
whatever you do Mr.. Grimes left town
before a decision in regard to secre-
tary had been reached. During his alb
sence Mr.. Wenner was appointed. Many
names were considered, but Wenner was
deemed the best selection possible TO
meet the emergency. We had to have
a man who was familiar with detail Of
fee work, a man who would not have to
familiarize himself with the work before
taking charge. Mr. Grimes and myself
have never discussed the secretary mat
ter since the time above referred-just
before he left for the Indian territory.
If he has been dissatisfied with the ap
pointment, he has never indicated such
a thin gto me.
1T is true that an attempt has been
made to run in factions in the retirement
Of Houston and the selection of Wenner.
Houston left the Office of the school land
department, because, after investigating
certain matters pertaining to the leasing
of school lands, We could not keep him
In the service. Wenner was appointed
on his merits. and the proposition that he
was a Flynn man, a Mcguire man,
Grimes man, or any other kind of man
except a competent one, never was for
moment taken into consideration.
Certain persons have attempted to
spread the impression over the territory
that an effort was being made to make
the school land beard a Mcclure ma
chine and an anti-Flynn machine. Such
work is contemplate. False statements
of this character are circulated for a pur-
pose which is plain to all who are familiar
with the facts. Had there been a desire
on the part of the board TO make a ma
chine in the interest of either Of the
genetlemen named. definite steps would
be taken 10 accomplish that end. Both
Flynn and Mcclure have strong friends
in the makeup of that department. The
only additions made to the department
recently were the secretary and the book
keeper Mr.. Grimes, MIR. Baxter and my
sci fagreed upon Mr.. Taylor as book
keeper before he was elected The prob
abilities are had Mr.. Grimes been in the
territory he would have consented to the
selection of Wenner. At least he has not
dissented to me since his return
what about the statement that I
handed the politicians hot one by not
consulting them? you ask An attempt
has been made TO create such an impress
sion, but il has availed nothing. I do
not know Of any number Of politicians
who are dissatisfied l have made 4 spe-
cisl effort TO ind these politicians. but
one. \ few individuals may not have
been pleased, but the narty leaders gen
orally commend the selection.
Am 1 an organization Republican,? 7
have always been heartily in favor Of
strong political organization in the Re-
publican psrty Good results IN party
work are obtained through a strong or
ganization. That organization should
never be used q promote personal ends
but be used Tor the welfare of the entire
party. The Republican Organization
should represent the whole party. Every
loyal Republican is under obligations TO
his party and should stand by its organ
ization in its efforts 70 promote party
interest. There Is one rock, however. upon
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