Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1906-10-26

sn,obligation to exercise something in
the way'of restrain; upon the more
radical members of his party which
led him to take the position which he
did, in respect tothe railroad bill that
Governor Leedy vetoed. But that is
quite beside the question of the con.
duct OF the Star, which was to;
deferred by its liking for and. its be-
lief in Colonel Harris. from question.
ing the wisdom-uot the integrity,
remember-of his attitude in that
particular case.
There is not, pro- ably, even among
the poems of the Republican.railroad
machine in Kansas, person who
would think Of impeachiug The Stars
loyalty to. Theodore Roosevelt. Yet
when the President wrote and pub.
lished his recent stand-pat letter this
paper did not hesitate for a moment
to volunteer the vigorous reproot
which is considered its right and its
duty to offer.
When Bryan was running against
Mckinley oa the l6 to l platform
The Star, in spite of its well known
hostility 10 protection-of which Nc.
Rinley was the chief apostle-chose
to support the Republican candidate
for President, rather than the Demo.
cratic nominee, because it considered
at that time that a vitiated currency
would be more damaging to the
country than high tariff.
The, Star strongly opposed the
election of James NJ. Jones for Mayor
OF Kansas City, and as cheerfully
gave him its support when he showed
disposition to give Kansas City an
administration Of a proper and bene,
tlclal character. 1t advocated the
election Of Mr.. Neff as Mayor, and
later, through the force Of compulsiou
which it profoundly, regretted. with.
drew from him its support.
To cite Kansas incident: The
Star, two years ago, lent all of its in,
fiuence to the Boss Buster movement
and worked for the election of Hoch
as Governor with all the fervor of its
belief that he would make a good
executive and redeem Kansas from
machine rule. The Star is not re-
sponsible forthe faitblessness of Hoct
to himself and to his friends. and
what is even worse, to his avowed
principles and promises. 1t had nc
part in bringing about the bitter dis
appointment which it has suffered be
cause OF Governor Hoch's surrender
to the railroads and his amazing in.
difference to the enforcement of law
and, notably, of a law which he de
clared was "dear to his heart" The
governor himself is strictly to blame
tor the fact that The Star is now
seeking, 10 a fair and candid manner
to compass his defeat instead of hi,
reelection. Its desire that Kansa:
shall have governor worthy of it.
splendid name is the sole motive
which has caused it to support Har
us on his record and oppose Hoch or
his record.
Nevertheless, it would only be ir
harmony with the doctrine and The
logic of the political poems in Kansa.
Tor The Star to persist in its approva,
OF Hoch after having found him
wholly unworthy-because it was fol-
him two years ago.
And right here is The difference be
tween politician peon age and the kline
of independence which is asserted BY
men and by newspapers that desire
to respect themselves and to feel the
satisfaction of free upright principles
Now, let it be known to all of Kan,
sas, from the Missouri line to the
Colorado border, that The Star be
ileves thoroughly in Colonel Harri,
and in his inclination and ability tc
give to his state the sort of rule which
1t needs and merits. And let it alsC
be known that. in the practically as
sured event of his election, if hi