The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-01
BOSS BUSTERS
HEARD FROM.
Chairman Albaugh Receives One
of Their Letters.
Obviously 1t Was Not Intended
For Him.
HE TALKS ABOUT 1T.
Doesn't Believe in Plan of Sc.
cret Working.
Most Perfect Example of Boss
ism Known.

As Chairman Albaugh of the Republi-
can state central committee, was FUN
bling over a dozen letters this morning,
on his desk. he turned to the State Jour-
nal reporter and remarked in a relni-
niscent way: Here is one of the many
annoying things that any one must
come up against, who has to Go with
party organizations" He presented a
letter written on an ordinary letter
head, headed, THE Kansas Republican
League. In red type below and to the
left of the heading was the motto, DO
and Don't Dodge" The letter was as
follows, and was signed by j. C. Sion
ecker, who, on the upper left hand cor
ner of the letter head, is carried as
Chairman Executive Committee:
Dear Sir: The Kansas Republican
league has been organized for the purpose
of looking after matters generally, with a
view of improving political conditions in
the state, getting rid OF the machine and
ness without the aid of too much bossism.
1T is not the intention to have any slate
Tor state officers or anything of that kind.
but to try to restore the party to its mem
bers, where it belongs.
THE last legislature was pretty seri-
Gus blow to the party and a repetition of
that kind of business would make trouble.
have been informed that YOU are one Of
the kind of Republicans that believe in
every man in the party having a fair show
and the fact that a man has supported one
|
and failed, should not ostracize or put him
beyond consideration in Republican ranks.
I'VE. are very desirous of knowing what
you think the situation is in your vicinity
and whether or not it is possible dele
CATION can be secured from your county
opposed to the machine and in favor of the
state organization being reformed so that
it will represent Repuplica nism and not
ia actionalism. few men Ill each county,
that end, could accomplish this purpose
and h0nipQ that county, will
be numbered with those who are in favor
of broader Republicanism. l would be
glad to hear from you and know what you
think the prospect is in your vicinity.
For the present. at least it would be
you in confidence in order to find out what
the feeling is. rather than with the inten-
ton Of starting any trouble
Hoping TO hear from you soon, 1 am,
(Signed) u. G. SLoNECKER."
After the reporter had perused the
letter, Mr.. AIbaugh, for second time.
called attention to the motto. do and
Don't Dodge" Here" saws he lis q
man claiming to be the high chief and
grand master of the Kansas Republi-
can league, with this forceful and cour-
ageOuS motto, when such DurDorted
league, as every one knows. was organ
lied at secret meeting for which no
public notice whatever was given and
to which such persons only were in
vited, as this self-created high priest,
Mr.. Slonecker. saw fit, by word of
mouth or letter. to invite. Yet with
this brave motto, DO and Don't Dodge
before him, he writes to Republicans
over the state. closing the letter with
the following statement For the pres
ent at least. it would be wise not to
talk about this and | write you in con-
fidence in order to find out what the
feeling is. rather than with the inten-
tion of starting any trouble.
Continuing, Mr. Albaugh said: "Ths
Republican party in Kansas has sue
Cpp6hd hpra1Icp ifc n r,r1ta-
lie, open and above board. For years.
it has grown continually stronger, be-
cause it has represented correct princi-
pies of government and has stood for
those things that have brought prosper
ity to the country. While contests for
place and position have been energetic
and oft-times seemingly bitter they
have been settled in an open way, in
conventions regularly called and to
which delegates have been chosen at
public primaries, where each individual
Republican had the same voice as his
neighbor, regardless of differences in
wealth, social standing or material con-
ditions. Secret political organizations
have never f1ourished in Kansas and Sc
cret organiza ations within the Republi-
can party are not likely to meet with
favor at the hands of Republicans any
where.
MIR. SIonecl<er presumes greatly
when he says he has organized the
Kansas Republican league for the pur-
pose of looking after matters generally.
with view of improving political con-
ditions in the state 1t is but natural
that Republicans should inquire relative
to the record upon which he bases the
assumption, that he would be a proper
leader in the contamination of such
purpose. Also whether he. by speech or
pen, has advocated or disseminated Re-
publican principles to any great and
alarming extent. Also whether in the
past he has been advocating and prac-
ticing progressive or elevating Repub-
lican ideas. They may ask if this is the
same Mr.. Slonecker, who last year w9S
writing personal and confidential letters
into Pottawatomie, Usage and a dozen
other counties, telling Republicans there
not to nominate a good man for the leg
islature, but to nominate a specific gem
tleman. in each case giving his name.
who he knew would be for a certain
man for United States senator, in whose
candidacy he was interested. They may
ask if Mr.. Slonecker, or any one else.
who goes out of his own county, telling
the people whom they should nominate
for a legislative or county office, is like
ly to be a safe and successful leader,
in a movement to rid the great state Of
may occur to them that such actions
then were the most perfect type and ex-
ample of bossism known.
'sThese letters" said Mr.. Albaugh.
have been sent to me from committee
men and other Republicans in different
parts of the state and every one has
been accompanied by letter deploring
and deprecating such action upon the
part of one assuming to be a party
leader They come from the men who
do the party work, who perfect local
organizations rustic the voters to the