The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-17
KANSAS COANENT

Ex-senator ]. r. Burton was the
Fourth of July orator for the Wilsey
celebration. Quite a number of peo-
pie from here went to hear him. Bnr-
tons speech was devoted to a discus
sion OF his view of the tendency or
the times away from representative
government by allowing too much pow
er in appointing officers from supremA
judge down to village postmaster. One
man who is a conservative observer ana
listener said 1t was the first speech he
ever heard Burton make in earnest. He
has heard Burton a dozen times. He
said quite a good many stepped up to
hear Burton, intending to leave after
a few minutes but scarcely one of
them left until Burton finished. Peo-
pie differ on the aim of Burton in mis-
speeches and in his paper, Home Rule,
but they agree on his having many
sound arguments back of his theories.
Burton claims to have overcome a
spirit of revenge towards Roosevelt
whom he considers solely responsible
for his Imprisonment. He says, how
ever, he shall fight the system of ap-
pointments and political rewards which
he believes was the greatest means in
the hands of Roosevelt securing his
conviction. Burton insists that he vas
convicted without evidence of his guilt,
al part of a political conspiracy by the
political wolves who have been after
him in Kansas for years. Burton
credit Roosevelt. Right or wrong.
guilty or not guilty, Burton was con-
victed and imprisoned and the Amerl-
can people hold him a discredited man
until he rights himself in a manner
which shall stand upon its own merits.
Burton should fight his fight for pure
democracy independent of past events
as far as himself is concerned.-Council
Grove Guard
BANQUET FOR WAGGENER.
Ever notice, how the reform papers
are eternally roasting Bale T. Wag,
gener, state senator from Atchison and
general attorney for the Missouri IA
cihc? From reading these papers one
is led to believe that Waggener Is d
regular demon with horns and long
sharp fork which he uses to stab peo-
pie who do not agree with him. But
every year in Atchison one of the big
events is a picnic for the children.
given by Mr.. Waggener. The chiidren
are taken to Forest park free of charge
on the street cars. furnished refresh
ments, amusements and given some
little present. Waggener pays the Dill.
man who has that kind of love In his
heart for children and shows 1t in sucn
a material way can't be very much Oh
a devil. Waggener is big man every
way you take him.-Osborne Farmer
THE WISCONSIN PARTY.
1t has been said that there VIII be
three parties in congress, Repubncacs'
Democrats and senator's from Wlscoh-
sin. This may sound little funny 10
the average writer for the papers. but
without the reforms, that the senators
from Wisconsin will more than likely
advocate enacted into law, the
Wisconsin element may find itself IN
the majority. The people are tired OF
politicians way of doing things and are
not held by strong party ties to any
great extent If the two great parties
forget that they are the creatures or
the people. they may awake TO tne
fact that they are no longer useful anu
have been turned to the wall.-Lebanon
Argus.
THOSE, ISLANDS.
That flash of warships in the Pa
cific ocean would be unnecessary If the
Iirited states did not own the Philip
mines. Mr. President. 1T is the sense OIL
the meeting that Uncle Sam sell or
give away those pesky islands within
fhe next six months. Some of these
days he Will want to take in Mexico, |
Dossiblv some Central American states
very likely Canada and the far north,
and who wants to be bothered with
those worthless Islands way over on
the 9th err side of the earth? Not your
Center Times