The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-22
KANSAS COAMEET
FRED DUMoNT SMITH.

FRED DUMONT SMITH
The friends of Senator F. Dumont
Smith, and they extend all over the
state, were surprised and shocked lit
tie less by the announcement that he
had been indicted for bribery IN con
nection with land deals than they
would have been by a sudden state
ment of his death. It IS claimed sen
ator Smith accepted large retainer Iees
as a lawyer to "intercede" with lana
Agent Ryan, and that he also furnlsned
railroad passes to such clients senator
Smith has been one of the most prom
lnent figures in Kansas politics ana
has enjoyed one of the largest law
practices of any lawyer in the state
but these facts only aggravate the Of
fense if he is guilty and make more
necessary his punishment. On the oth-
er hand if he is innocent, ana ms
friends sincerely trust he is, 1t is TO pc
hoped his innocence will be speedily
established. Grating has become so
apparently respectable no man, pc
he low or great, should be permitted
to pass, If guilty, unpunlshed- MS
sentence should be increased accord
ing to his prominence, for TO whoIn
much has been given, much ought 10
be xpected-Independ Reporter
o.
NOT POLITICS.
The Indictment of F. Dumont Smith
was not the work Of politics. Politics
ndu LOlllDR 10 60 Win II. HC "a
zette sincerely hopes that Senator Smith
is not guilty It is perfectly willing to
suspend judgment in his case. he IS a
leading citizen of Kansas, and is entl-
tied by reason Of the esteem in Whlch
western Kansas has obviously held him
to have the benefit of every doubt in
his case The newspapers are giving
him distinctly a fair deal. No one IS
abusing him. But he will not make MS
case better by accusing the government
HI rc.r1sar no
Neither viii he make his case better by
alleging that his political enemies are
after him. The writer hereof has been
around some in Kansas in the last SIX
months, and has heard much talk pro
and con about Senator Smith. but has
not heard a man speak unkindly of him
personally: has not heard man talk
as though he hated Smith. No one but
Smith can get Smith out of this trouble,
and in the meantime everyone ShOuld
stand back and give him room accord
ing to his strength.-Empori Gazette.
THE STRONGEST PROOF.
Some of the railroad papers are Ia
menting the fact that Attorney Taylor
is so aggressive at this time in his ef-
forts to compel the railroads to respect
the rights of the shippers They covert
ly insinuate that Kansas now has such
an abundant crop to move and needs
the use Of the railroad facilities so badly
IlaE S0G can III aUOfQ TO dllIdBO4AiLG
or irritate them. The intimation is that
the railroads may fmmeasurably injure
the state by withdrawing privileges or
failing to furnish facilities. 1t is true
that they can if they so desire. This
very fact is what forces the people to
demand additional national legislation.
To permit a few man to hold in their
hands the power to paralyze and de-
stroy the commercial or industrial pros
poets Of a state is dangerous to the sta
bility of our government. 1t is an intol-
cradle condition. 1t enslaves the indus
tries of every community. It robs the
people of that fundamental liberty
which is the basis of free government.
A distinguished railroad attorney, not
long since. in referring to the agitation
by the jobbing interests OF Salina in be-
half of equitable rates said What
would Sa1ina be If it were not for the
favor Of the railroads. She could be re-
duced to a second class village if they
saw at to do fts1ss This is true but con-
slider for a moment. is it wise, safe or
Just to permit the industrial and COM
mercial interests of any town. city or
state to be subject to the arbitrary and
uncontrolled dominion of a few corpor-
ations? The fact that these threats of
retaliation are now being made because
the people are asking fair treatment
and nothing more is the most incontro-
vertible proof that railroad legislation is
imperatively ecessary.-Salina Jour-
ne:.