The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-14
KANSAS COAMENT
WITH CoTroN IN mrs EAps


washington correspondent who
reports that Senator Nelson A AID
rieh reads no newspaper comments
| on ms actions, hears no reports of
himself. from the speeches in OPPOSE
tlon to his plan, probably has the
straight OF it. Senator Aldrich acts
IKE a man who isn't getting the news.
C Anu the sound-proof plug which
senator Aldrlch wears in his ears is
q legislative epidemic. It is the one
thing that lis principally wrong with
the times and customs.
judging from a fair review of leg
iSlative careers that have promised
much and delivered little. in the way
OF olscharge of duty, it must be said
that the atmosphere of Washington
and' in a lesser way, the atmosphere
OF every legislative center-is mighty
iard ON the hearing. There is that
about social eustor7a and the BUSH
mes associations which fogs up
lupSs OF the ear, anu nlaAeS the or
gans of hearing altogether un-
responsive to some sounds.
It is haSty conclusion to charge
crookedness against unfaithful legis-
lators. In standards of honesty, leg
lslatureS are representative of the
people who elect legislatures. De-
IectlVe hearing accounts for most of
1t. Young men of fine impulse and
strong purpose fall under the infiu-
ence and can hear popular demand
only as faint sound, moving among
the trees afar off. The Washington
view is not the home view, and the
Washington ear is not the candidates
ear by several pitches of sound.
II IS true that there is great deal
OF misconception about the function
OF the popular idea in government.
1t Is true that the system of govern
ment was wisely planned to establish
checks and balances against emotion
ana clamor and mob spirit in. law
making. But it is also true that the
people suffer more from ear-clogged
statesmen who listen only to the call
OF service that comes through tn
corridors of clubs and from the
smoke-clouded atmosphere of COM
m1ttee rooms. than from the sound
convictions OF the people in whose in
terests government is to be run. In
deliberately absenting himself from
the expressions of popular opinion
Mr.. Aldrich is peculiar in means
rather than in result; many of them
get that way by habit.-Ottawa Her
aid.
NEW YORK'S COMING BATTLE.
This is an off year in politics near
Iy everywhere except in New York
city. There the clans are lining up
for fierce mayoraIty campaign. And
when it is considered that New York
is a municipality embracing more
than half the population of the en-
P4A SNGLG anu ndNIuS an annual
budget that sizes up along with the
expenditures of the nation it is not to
be wondered at that people elsewhere
in the country grow interested in its
campaigns.
Attention has been directed to the
matter recently by the dismissal of
General Theodore E. Bingham, police
commissioner. by Mayor George B.
Mcclellan Ostensibly Bingham was
dismissed because of the persecution
of Brooklyn youth by the police de-
partment, the mayor apparently TAX
ing this method of doing an act of
justice to a defenseless lad. but the
New York papers. contend that this is |
not the reason for the commits |
sioner's dismissal They assert that |
the act was dictated by Senator Pat |
McCarren of Brooklyn. who has sue |
ceeded to the role of boss. formerly
occupied by Charles T. Murphy. head |
of the Tammanv hall organization. |
Mayor Mcclellan broke with Murphy |
some time back and McCarren is said |
now to be the principal factor in the |
politics of the greater city.
Whether this be true or not, there |
is increasing evidence that the may |
orally campaign in New York this
year is to be one Of the fiercest ever
fought. Tammany will not readily /
its hold on the city and |
the citizens organization is planning /
it's strenuous campaign against the |
lair of the Tiger. The country Will /
keep tab on the proceedings with in /
terest.-Hutchinson News.