Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-07-02

VOveEb III ING city AAVPo' oVuc
the actions Of Of the Abilene Chronicle
in changing Its support from s. 8.
Smith from this county to R. R. Reei
Of Minneapolis for representative
from the Fifth congressional district
II Is the unanimous opinion Of Hope
Republicans that there never has
been a dirtier or more disreputable
political trick played in Dickinson
county than the Chronicle Is indulg-
ing in.
In It's issue Of June 18th, that paper
says: "The Chronicle favors the
candidacy Of Judge R. r.. Rees Of
Minneapolis for the Republican nomi-
nation for congress from this dis
trict." 1t makes q direct flop from
Mr.. Smith to Mr.. ReeS, having prom
ised MIR. Smith its support at the be-
ginning OF the campaign. Mr.. Heath
Of the Chronicle even signing his
nomination paper.
The item referred to attempts to
Justify that papers action BY claim
ing that Smith has no chance to win,
and that the race is really between
Mr.. Rees and Mr.. Calderhead. Just
what has happened to suddenly bring
the Chronicle to such a view is not
explained, except by a statement that
it believes Judge Rees to have the
most signatures to his petition. But
that is readily recognized as only a
trumped up excuse. Nobody here
and probably nobody else, believes
such to be the cause Of the Chroni-
cle's Topping. Hope people attribute
the cause to but n source but the
Dispatch does not like to accuse even
the Chronicle OF being thought on"
Mr.. Smith has strong followings in
every county, with the exception OF
Ottawa, Rees' home county and that
is as it should be. Rees should have
a strong following in his home county
the same as Smith has here.
When the report Of the Chronicles
boiling came to Hope, the Republic
can voters we're naturally very in
dignant. A meeting Of a few OF the
most indignant ones on hearing Of the
indignation meeting at Abilene i'm
mediately framed a set Of resolutions
and took them around to the Republic
can voters Of the town, with the re-
suit that they have been signed BY
nearly every businessman in Hope
A copy was taken along with the
resolutions so that those who had not
read the article might do SO and draw
their own conclusions.
Only one man approached refused
to sign the resolutions appearing In
this issue, and not a man has been
found in favor Of Rees, which shows
what a strong support Smith has in
this section Of the county.
There can be absolutely no excuse
for such a despicable piece Of BUSH
ness. II all the Chronicles excuses
we're true they could not justify its
turning from the home candidate
after pledging him support. That
paper now claims it only promised
Smith ''silent" support, but whatever
the case, Its turning to support Rees
at this late hour in the face OF a
united home support to Smith, is an
action too despicable for any excuse
to justify.
The Chronicle is now attempting to
gain favor and divert attention from
its course by attacking the REFLEc'
TOR. Hope people care nothing
about any warfare between those
papers, but are deeply incensed over
the injustice TO Smith and have
framed the resolutions Of indignation
referred to, for the purpose Of show
ing that they are sOlidly for Mr..
Smith and will continue to be so to
the last minute.
We do'not think the Rees candidacy
will gain anything when the people
are shown the ~perfdious character OF
the Chronicles action. 1t is safe to
saw that Smith will not lose a vote In
Dickinson county, but would gain II
did not already have the solid Repuh-
can support here.
In the proper column today appears