The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-29
KANSAS CONAENT
UNFAIR 70 FARMERs.


1t seems hardly fair for the COVER
nor OF Kansas to accuse the farmers
over the state of cOwardice because
tney 90 not buy more binding Irvine
from the state prison Irvine plant.
Inc farmers OF Kansas comprise some
Of the best and bravest citizens of the
state. They do not know what fear
consists of.
The governor believes, or at least
says he believes, that the farmers of
the state are afraid to buy state bind
ing Irvine because they fear the trust
will not guarantee the results OBJ
tanned from their machines. This is
rather peculiar accusation to hurl at
people who braved the dangers and
nardsh1ps incident to pioneer life. 1t
IS remarkable what great portion Of
the states wealth has been developed
governor accuses of fearing a COM
pany which sells harvesting machines.
Does 1t not seem just a little remark
able that the governor should call the
people towards who have, by their
persistent battle with the elements
made a home out of the great plains
which forty years ago were regarded
as absolutely useless?
All this arises because the people
do not buy more binding Irvine from
the state. 1t is true that Kansas peo-
pie should, when it is practicable,
pau VAAAAO tuS STATE INDUSTRY, accord
ing TO some people. There are those
who believe that 1t is show of
patriotism on the part Of the people
VINO do SO, to buy Irvine from the
state. There are others who claim
that the state should not be engaged
In the manufacture of prison Irvine,
as that places convict labor on a par
with that of free men. There are
also those who claim the state Irvine
Is not OF as good quality as the trust
tWlne. There are many sides to the
question.
matters not, but it Is safe to say that
not single farmer buys trust bind
Ing Irvine because he is afraid to buy
the state kind. It Is a bad break on
the part of the governor.
The governors remarks may be ap-
piled to dealers, possibly. who fear
that the harvester trust will put them
out OF business. But none of the far
mers fear the harvester company
Salina Journal.
PARTIES AND THEIR PRINCIPLES.
Mr.. Franklin Pierce says in his book
on usurpations Of government, that our
political parties, and are little more
than aggregations of officeseekers and
that such supporters as they are able
to control are held together by the en-
joyment of public offices or by the hope
of getting them. This comes pretty
near being the truth, says the Philadel-
phia Record, although the great major
ity of voters have no idea of getting
public office. They have, however.very
largely lost sight Of political principles.
and are simply eager for their side to
win, as the ''rooters'' and the fans"
are eager that the ball team to which
they are attached should win.
In a Jefferson day dinner President
woodrow Wilson Of Princeton, said
very much the same thing; making a
play on the word principle" he said
that both parties were politically bank
rupt and were practically in the hands
Of receivers, and they had got into that
position just as business houses do, by
the loss Of principle, 1t is a long time
since there have been clear cut issues
between parties The only interest that
a great part Of the voters have in an
election is that their side should win,
and they are just about as deeply in
terested in the local ball club as they
are in the political party whose name
they bear.-Wichita Beacon.