The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-07
ADMINISTRATORS Friends Do
Not Fear Roosevelt.
See No Signs Of His Becoming
Insurgent Leader.
MURDOCH is QUIET.
Wears Mysterious Air and Ex-
preston of Wisdom.
Irregulars Want Impression
Ex-President UphOlds Them.

Washington, d. c., July Friends
of the administration in Washington
are not concerned over the reports re-
garding the favor with which the
Kansas insurgents, Senator Bristow
and Congressman Murdoch and Madi-
son, were received at oyster Bay
They do not read in the rather meager
quoted remarks of Colonel Roosevelt
and his visitors that the former
president intends to jump into the po-
1iticaI fray and lead the insurgent ele-
ment of the Republican party against
the regulars and the administration.
Although usually in a loquacious
mood, the auburn haired instructor
was exceptionally uncommunicatiVe
when he stopped in Washington after
the conference. Murdoch had moth
ing to add to what already had been
said at Oyster Bay, and wore mys-
FERROUS air and an expression which
indicated the wisdom of a tree full
OF owls. The impression that he
sought to convey, apparently, was that
everything had been fixed up salts
factorily, that the insurgents had re-
ceived the Endorsement Of Colonel
Roosevelt in the course they had pur-
sued and. in short, had received
vindication at his hands.
Ii this impression can he made to
stick, it is all the insurgents want, as
st is what they are after to help them
in their districts with the home folks.
Senator Bristow particularly desired
such an impression made upon the
public, to the end that he might offer
a. suitable explanation to his people
for failure to accomplish some of the
things which he sought to bring
about.
The fact is that the Junior senator
Il
~ by President Taft upon every rec
ommendation he made In the first
place. the president, upon the recon-
mendation of Congressman Calder
head, reappointed Postmaster Fitz-
patrick at Salina, BristoW's own town,
over the protest of the senator. who
had a candidate of his own. In do
ing so President Taft simply followed
the rule he has laid down, that where
man has given entire satisfaction
and there is nothing against him, he
should have another term. Again.
the president appointed A. w. Smith
pension agent at Topeka upon the rec
ommendation of Senator Curtis and
ignored Senator BriStowS opposition.
Bristow had not recommended anyone
for this office. but was in favor of re-
tanning the incumbent. Colonel Wilder
S. Metcalf, for another term.
President Taft also reappointed Dis
trict Attorney Harry j. Bone, not
W1LnSldnQl0S the vigorous OppOSlIlOn
OF Senator Bristow, who entered a
plea of personal distaste for Bone.
Bristow had recommended w. L.
Higgins of Emporia for the appoint
ment
Bristow's rage against the president
was greatest when just before he left
Washington, Secretary of the Treasury
McVeagh teleDhoned to him that the
president had directed him to inform
the senator that he would appoint
Former State Senator Fremont Leidy
of Butler county, recommended by
Senator Curtis. as collector of internal
revenue for Kansas rather than
Bristow's man. Judge J. A. Burnett.
The recent report that James Simpson,
the present collector of internal rev.
enues for Kansas. had refused to re-
sign. was denied at the treasury. and
q statement made that it made no diff
ference whether he refr/ed or not to
resign. the position could be made va
cant at any time.
The impression here in Washington
Is that Colonel Roosevelt is trying
simply to be nice to insurgents who
have been his friends. and at the same
time giving his endorsement to all
that President Taft has done. He re-
CARDS the situation between these in
surgents and the administration as
personal troubles and differences,
rather than matters affecting public
policy, and no one expects him to do
ulars words of encouragement to make
them feel good
When he was in the White House,
Colonel Roosevelt maintaiped an atti-
fude of neutrality between the stall
warts and the insurgents as far was
possible, and would not permit the
grievances of one element to cause dis
ruption in his party. Instead he got
along as we'll as he could with both,
and it doubtless will develop that his
efforts now and hereafter will be en-
ployed N closing up the cleavage in
the Republican party.
At Beverly. where every man is a
friend of President Taft, it is declared
that next fall when Roosevelt invades
the West and Taft the Middle West,
with assertions that the Republicans
should win the congressional elections,
the two men will be found in accord,
standing shoulder.
Roosevelt, who is recognized as the
greatest political genius this country
has known, has gone Taft one better
in the use of the smile that is childlike
and bland He has made Taft no
promises. He has promised the in
surgents only that he stands for what
he stood for in the past.
If Roosevelt came out flat-footedly
for Taft the insurgents might not find
themselves so strong at home even