The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-25

you would be In FAVOR OF NAdb
| recommended until you knew what
| exactly yours. If the extremists
| should have their way they would
completely block all chance for rate
| legislation at all. 1t is useless to ex-
pect any legislation will satisfy those
who desire the impossible. But the
real and substantial advance in deal
ing with the question by doing away
with abuses and benefitting the peo-
pie as a whole. 1t is in my judg-
ment. as far as we could with wisdom
go at this time, and those who are
opposing the measure are in reality
doing all they can to prevent any sub
stantial relief being afforded. (Signed)
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
OF course this settled that question
and the able and talented editor OF tn
Podunk Clarion might keep repeating
until the cows came home that Long
was against the president on the rate
bill. but when Roosevelt spoke for
himself, the state of Kansas simply
laughed at the self appointed cham
p1on. Kansas is a Roosevelt state:
Kansas Republicans are for Taft. And
so it was evident in the breezy phrase
of short grass writer. Long is ace
high with Roosevelt and Taft and that
suits kansas
Says Sentiment Developing for Long.
The sentiment that has developed so
strongly in favor of Senator Long in
recent weeks is due 20 two Kansas
characteristics which are not included
in the whats the matter with Kan
sas" theory. They are Fair play" and
Keep posted up to date" The people
of Kansas are great newspaper read
ers. In every house there are dailies
and weeklies. And. unfortunately for
Senator Long. he has had the editorial
opposition of many of the big papers.
But the people of Kansas, a large ma
Jority of them, get their information
own editorial opinions. The facts in
the case could not be kept from stick
ing out. even in unfriendly organs and
they were particularly gratifying to the
state pride which every loyal Kansan
possesses. When the family gathered
at the fireside and discussed the ques-
ton of a senator to succeed Long, or
when in the street or in the CONNER
cial club or any place where two or
more are gathered together ard the
talked it over found almost with sur
prise and always with glow of pride
that Longs all right" They also
realized that he had made good in
their minds through channels which
were certainly not friendly to him. On
since he entered the senate. he has
been right And added to that is this
feeling that in him Kansas has taken
high place.
Longs Opportunity in the Senate.
Kansas is a state of action as we'll
as impulse and thought. Here is Sem
ator Long taking a part in the impor-
tant debates, in the White House
on the rate bill, a trusted
friend and a conspicuous advocate of
the Philippine policy of Secretary
Taft. His personal ability and court
esy have enabled him to go forward
in the senate without exciting jeal-
ousy or dislike. His industry and
grasp of mind have enabled him to
keep steadily on. Kansas wants a
prominent place in the national coun-
ellis. She looks with a little envy at
the states of New England and the
south where senators are retained
term after term and their power and
influence gain thereby. Here is an
opportunity. Many Of the older sena-
tors are retiring. The younger men
have their chance, and just at this
time Kansas has a young, strong,
clean, experienced man, already in a
position of leadership and sure to
rank with the best of them. A new
man without legislative experience
would be another experiment Kan
sas has the chance to get her name on
the roll of states that have senators
Of national reputation, acknowledged
integrity and high principles. Kansas
has had her name at the top of the
column for a lot of things she is
proud of and of some that she Is not.
Kansas is not going to throw away
this opportunity to score in states
1t is also recalled in Senator Longs
behalf that his reputation is as fighter
and not as a gutter. His services to
the party in those strenuous struggles
t-A-
Twelve years ago he went down before
Jerry Simpson and free silver at the
election. but not until he had met and
practically overcome his opponent in a
series of debates which attracted the
attention of the country. He could have
won that election by trimming and
lodging. He never stands for a meas
ure simply because 1t is popular or be-
cause somebody tells him to. He has
been criticised by politicians as a boss.
but nobody ever accused him Of being
bossed. He would rather now be de-
feated for senator in a square fight for
a. principle in which he believed and
which was for the interests Of the peo-
pie as he sees them than to be elected
and despised as caterer to prejudice
and a panderer to demagogy.
An illustration of this side of his
character, which is sometimes consid-
cred his weakness but which his
friends regard as his strength, was
shown at a little conference held in
the Harvey house at Newton about two
years ago. A number of his friends
were present and they were urging
that he do a little grandstand work
and raise a cheer by announcing that
he would support any recommendation
the president should make on the rate
bill.
mo senator" he said Should
blindly promise to support any meas
ude until he sees II and considers it,"
Long is right said Bristow, who
was present. and the ma supporter Of
the senator. but he ought to play a
little politics for his friends"
Perhaps he had. according to the
rules laid down by some authorities.
But Long preferred to let the people
judge Of him by his acts and not by a
promise which could be nothing but
politics. And in doing so he won the