The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-27
FERGUSON is
GOOD NATURED
Pays Little Heed TO Criticism
Not Well F ulded.
CLEAN ADMINISTRATION
That Is the Chief Aim of the
Executive.
CLEAN ADMINISTRATION

Guthrie o. 7, Aug. zos-1He eull"Ai"A
sn the last issue of the Watonga Repub-
lican. Governor Ferguson's paper on the
alleged effort of two or three men to use
g Kansas City newspaper to show that
the appointment of Fred L. Wenner as
secretary of the territorial board for
leasing school lands was not satisfactory
70 the politicians, has had the effect OF
creating "a decided stir in political cir
cles. The editorial was reprinted in the
Eagle last week, and this morning an
Oklahoma paper took up the matter IN a
lengthy editorial, giving the supposed
history of Governor Ferguson's political
career. in Oklahoma. The paper took the
stand that the governor did not write
The editorial and therefore was not re-
sponsible for its appearance in the Re-
publican, and used a column and a half
in an attempt TO prove it.
When seen this morning by a represent
ative of the Eagle, Givernor Ferguson re-
fused TO discuss whether or not he had
written the editorial referred to, saying
that as long as it would be unfair TO
the man now operating his paper TO allow
hona is responsible for all articles that
appear in that publication, and on the
other hand that he as governor could not
well afford to have it understood that he
was doing the editorial writing for his
paper, as articles frequently appeared
that he knew nothing of. The governor
stated. however, that he could probably
control The editorial page of his paper
IT has been generally understood in Guth-
rie that Governor Ferguson wrote the
editorial referred to. but this supposition
was neither confirmed nor denied.
Among other things, the Oklahoma pa
pper stated that when Barnes was gov
ernor he was scored by the editor of the
Matonga Republican because he had ig-
nored the territorial committee in max
ing appointments, and that Ferguson
never entered Governor Barnes office
during the time the latter was in office.
Governor Ferguson said that the state
ment was incorrect that he had roasted
Barnes because Of his appointments. 1t
is the governors idea that Barnes, as
governor. was responsible TO the people
for his appointments, and while he had
been opposed to Barnes appointment, yet
after he was selected for the position he
believed he had full right and power to
name any individual he cared to as a
member his official family without
comment from him. Pardon matters were
the only causes for ''roastings'' in the
Republican. Bert Welty, convicted in
Blaine county of crime. was pardoned
by Barnes while governor. and it was on
this account that Ferguson went after
the man whom jenkins succeeded as gov
ernor
1t was also stated that Governor Fergu-
son roasted Jenkins when this man was
in Office because he refused to consult
with members Of the territorial committee
relative to appointments. Governor Fer
guson. IN reference TO this matter. stated
that prior to the time of making appoint
ments for Office in the three new coun-
ties e was asked TO come over from Wa
tonga and confer with the governor.
Ferguson reached Guthrie and was shown
q slate and asked to ratify it, This Fer
guson refused to 90. SAYING that there
were men on It he did not belieee it wise
TO appoint at that time. The governor
stated that he had no criticisms to make
because Jenkins had not consulted With
the members Of the committee but that
he did critcise him in his paper when he
had called him from Watonea merely to
ratify a slate already made up That
Jenkins would be held responsible for
his appointments to the people and not
10 the politicians was his position.
Governor Ferguson feels that he does
not owe his appointment to any man in
Oklahoma, regardless of the fact that
statements have been made to the con
trary. Il remember very distinctly what
President Roosevelt told me when I was
appointed governor" said Governor Fer
Euson. In commenting on this phase of
the editorial today. The postmaster
general was with the president and
Roosevelt said: I am appointing you
governor of Oklahoma for various rea-
sons OF my own. You owe your appoint
men to no man or class of men in Okla
homa, and I shall expect You TO keep
your administration free from political
entanglenents.'
This statement from the president
makes it apparent that none Of Okla
homa politicians had anything to do
with Governor Fergusons appointment,
and it IS evident that the governor feels
that he is under obligations to no one in
the territory in this respect.
Much comment has been INDUCED in rel.
ative TO the editorial on the article in the
governors paper. and there are those
who profess to believe that it was written
Tor the purpose Of criticlsing Governo,
ierguson's appointment OF Fred /. Wen
ner as secretary Of the school land de-
partment and in condemnation OF ths
method used because OF the fact that yer
tam politicians were not consulted. Ir
addition TO this it is stated thai men who
have been hammered by the territorial
press were desirous o being placed before
the public in q different light. and fol
this reason an alleged ATTEMPT was made
to show that Governor Ferguson was not
Responsible for the editorial in his psner
and supposed histary was used or tn,
purpose Q proving that il would be en-
tirely out OF line with Governor Fe-Eu
sons ideas when this gentleman was q
private citizen during the administration
OF other governors
Governor Ferguson was not offended
with the editorial IN the Oklahoma pape,
and Was good nstured while talking O
the matter. His only desire was that hi.
"politcal' history be correct and hi
former attitude shown up as it should he