The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-07-03
Topeka Correspondence.

speaking to record-breaking crowds
considering that last week was the
middle of the wheat and alfalfa
harvest, that crops are backward
This year and farmers were busy.
One man who attended one of
Stubs meetings last week wrote in
to headquarters; "No white man
ever had bigger and better meetings,
everything considered. Farmers
can hardly spare the time to attend
an afternoon political meeting bat
the meeting here was the largest
political gathering this year." That
was written from Washington county
up in the Fifth District.
Notwithstanding the persistency
of his opponent, Mr.. Leland, in
abusing Stubs during the whole
time allotted to him at every meeting,
Stubs goes right ahead talking
issues. He discusses the political
conditions that are wrong and gives
his remedies for them. He does
not waste any time discussing the
faults of his opponent. After every
speech everyone in the audience
knows exactly where Stubbs stands
on all issues. He tells just what he
thinks the trouble is, his remedy
and how his remedy will be applied.
Mr.. Leland's latest TRADE against
Stubbs was sprung at Emporia where
he delivered an "essay" to those
who gathered from the Fourth
District to crafty" the acts of the
National Convention, He finds
fault with Stubs for having a per-
sonalplatform, for talking on matters
that are issues here In Kansas.
II am not engaged in the busl.
ness of promulgating platforms, !"
says Mr.. Leland, "but always stand
squerely upon the Republican planks
and timbers. These fellows who
always have a platform up their
sleeves have helped to defeat the
party many times OF at best have
been stumbliag blocks in the path
of victory"
1t is evident from this that Mr..
Leland has forgotten the little incl-
dent connected with the Republican
"platform" two years ago, when if
At had not been for the amendments
made to it by Mr.. Stubbs and his
friends the Republican ticket would
have gone to the wall-would have
been repudiated by the thinking
Republicans of the State. A con
vention was held in Topeka and
like most conventions in Kansas
was in complete control of the
machine element. A "platform"
endorsed by Mr.. Leland was adopt
ed. 1t promised nothing. It stood
for nothing. Republicans al over
the State were disappointed and
criticised the convention severely
for creating and adopting such
farce.
Stubbs and his friends were IN
the minority in the State convention
and could do nothing. But after
the convention was over they draft
ed a set of amendments to the
alleged platform, including the
primary election, anti-pass, two-cent
fare and other laws, and turned it
over to the people. The voters of
the State were so we'll pleased with
il that -fourths of the candi-
dates for Republican Offices that
year were compelled to announce
as standing upon the
amended platform before the cleo
ion. That amended platform ap-
,lied only to Kansas issues. 1t had !,
to do with national affairs.
But it represented the sentiment of
Kansas people while the alleged I
platform of the Convention outraged 1
he sentiments of the voters.
Machine politicians of the school {
o which Mr.. Leland belongs have {
Meaningless platforms. They prom
Sc ''to do the right thing" and there S
ends. When the test comes they
10 as they please and depend upon