Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-01-22
10 McDILL'S MUSINGS.
FAMILY FIGHTS AND REFORM

The Republican party has so many factional
fights tina; it becomes All interesting study to
find out what it's all about There are charges
and counter. charges. If we believe one fac
con, we are forced to believe that the other
faction is made up of uemagogues and boodlers;
and vice versa. 1t is case of political liiga
ton, where the prize fought for is the Offices
and perquisites. One faction is no better than
the other. From the testimony from both
sides, both factions are rotten to the core. All
the intelligent world can see that the faction
that is in is there for the spoils. If the faction
that is III turned ont to make place for the
other faction, it would soon be seen that the
other faction was after the spoils.
Offices and perquisites fill the measure of the
souls desire of ninety hundredths of the
sef-seeking politicians of both factions. There
is no aim or ambition in either faction that
rises above self. Neither side has patriotism
or desire for pure government. Both sides can
be depended upon to help along with raid on
the public treasury, or the further building of
great trusts. Neither side has common deceucy.
Hoch against Bailey. Hanna against Roose-
velt. If the papers do not lie, Bailey was
good man up to the time he became governor.
If some papers now do not lie, Bailey is a bad
man.
Roosevelt talks. Hanna rolls out the money
barrels. Money talks loudest.
Roosevelt is president through assassination.
So was Arthur. The powers that be had not
counted on having either Arthur or Roosevelt
for president. Some good men believe in
Roosevet's talk More men believe in Han
mas barrel.
Bailey and Roosevelt may have done the
best they could. 1t is poor place to be hon
est in den of thieves. No man is strong
enough, as governor or president to give the
country a clean administration when surround
ed with an army of self-seeking political black
legs. 1t is not question of one man. 1t is
an army OF well-dsciplined veterans. The
army is oficered bv some o. the brightest
minds in America. The army never dsbands.
1t is constantly recruiting. Its ramihcations
reach down to the back woods polling precinct.
The township boss has place, and he fills it
with precision and fathfulness that would
COuulcuu tlul III tuS uOOiSot NduSS SlSStCu III
be half of the human race.
Office and perqusites: not big, but they fiji
the measure. Oorders pass down the line from
headquarters. Every man has his place and
his price.
The factions grow out of broken promises.
Services are sometimes bought with promises.
Promises are more easily made than fulfilled.
Legislatures do rot sit all the time, and if
they did, spittoon cleaning and door rkeeping
scarcely cover the money advanced for cam
paign purposes. There are not enough of the
big offices to fill the bill.
1t is the men who promised something
and got nothing that pass as 'boss- busters"
Men who are mean enough to do the dirty
work for the success of the party cannot reform
the party, and would not if they could. The
good of the country is not taken to heart. No
real reform is desired.
Bailey is for trusts, nigh tariff and gold
standard So is Hoch. Roosevelt is for the
Republican party, right or wong. No worse
can be said of Hanna. The man who stands