The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-24
GUS SAUR==G. VAN WERDEN

the part Of the candidate-leader of the
opposition. prominent lawyer in dis
cussinS it yesterday said: None is so
jealous as to apologize for it; none is 50
dead to the heart-instinct as 10 defend
1t; it is blot in the career of Finlay
Ross that he can never be proud OF. l
cant tell you what ! personally think of
it; ii would be a theme fit for the pecu-
liar and marvellous eloquence of Mark
Antony or for the keen and unique phil
osophy of a Hamlet"
The lawyer in question may have used
words to exaggerate the matter. but new
ertheless the charge has wrought a very
strong sentiment against Mr.. Ross. 1t Is
said Mr.. Mclean personally asked Mr.
Ross If he thought il was fair, after
what he had done for him, to try and
split the Republican party by opposing
him. Mr.. Ross is alleged to have felt
the question keenly. If you thought l
did not make d fair record as mayor"
asked Mr.. Mclean, why weren't you
willing to oppose me openly before the
convention or oppose me with some other
man Why should you go over to your
enemies to oppose your friend as / have
been to you?" This interview was held
several weeks ago in the street and was
entirely friendly. Mr.. Ross, it is sail
his course by saying: Thousands upon
thousands of people wanted him to run
The treatment of Mr.. Mclean by Mr..
Ross, while not an issue in the cam
paign, is cutting a big figure and will
have quite bearing in the result. 1t Is
not an issue for there IS only one side
to ii. Nothing is an issue that cannot
be defended. 1t is something that ap-
70 ha co nf
heart, and a sense of fairness-even in
politics. And it is because the average
man out west has a good heart and a
sense of fairness and squarenesS that he
will rebuke it.
The story is as follows: Finlay Ross
was honored by the Republicans of Wich-
tia by getting an unanimous nomination
for city treasurer for two years. He
had no opposition at the election and
didn't have to spend a cent in money or
a minute of time 10 be elected. He was
then nominated for mayor and was elect
ed in strong Republican city over a
Democrat by 67 votes. At the end of his
first term, thousands upon thousands
called upon Ben Mclean, who had made
a fine record in the council, asking him
to be a candidate for mayor. What was
McLean's answer. II was this: Gentle
men l am the friend of F'inlay Ross. |
think he has made a good mayor and
will stand by him. / can't run against |
him, because ! think he should have a |
second term. A man cannot always do |
credit to himself owing TO inexperience, |
the first term and 1 believe in giving men |
two terms
Finlay Ross was nominated without op- |
position in the Republican convention |
The present Senator Tapp was nominated !
by the Citizens" to oppose him. When |
Republicans became stampeded from Mr.. |
Ross and humiliating defeat stared him |
in the face who came to his rescue2 First |
and foremost was Ben Mclean with his |
coat off and his sleeves rolled up. When |
The campaign fund was low and carri- |
ages were needed to bring voters to the |
polls who first went down into his pocket !
to stem the tide of approaching defeat? |
Ben Mclean. That campaign for Mr.. |
besides weeks away from his business
and nights that he did not close an eye. |
Mr. Mclean naturally thinking Mr.. |
Ross remembered all these things asked |
Mr. Ross early last month if he though |
1t was fair TO oppose him. He aid rot |
think that Mr.. Ross could oppose him |
personally. He would have no objec- |
lions if somebody else opposed him. and |
would not feel it if Mr.. koss supported |
somebody else opposing him. What lie /
expected Mr. Ross would say to the |
thousands upon thousands who were
urging him to run is this: Ben Mclean |
is my friend and | shall not run against
him. He was in favor of giving me a
second term when thousands upon thou
sands" wanted him to run and l am now
in favor OF giving him second term
In missing the opportunity to say this
he missed the greatest opportunity that
comes in the life of a man-an emporium
itv to reciprocate the kindness of a
frfend-a friend in need at that. for Mr..
Ross secured his second term by only
few votes.
And this ''unkindest cut of all" Is
not modified or justified BY the fact that
MIR. Ross accepts the nomination Of pe1-
ple who have always fought him with
the bitterness of gall while the Republic
an PARTY honored him successfully for
years with offices-ofiices, too. that paid |
a salary.
But Ben Mclean isn't whining No
longer ago than yesterday he was fair
with Mr. Ross. Ministers came TO see
him. as they have a right TO and asked
him some thinrs. They naturally drifted |
into conversation and from the broad
head and big heart of Mr.. Mclean came |
nttcrances favorable 10 Mr.. Ross They |
were utterances that scarcely could fail
10 make Mr. Mclean a big broad-minied |
man in their estimation. for a minister
s a man. too. and can appreciate gen.
arous. manly sentiments
ADMITTED TO PROBATE