The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-15
POLITICAL GOSSIP.
Bill Hackney Gives Vent to His
Feelings.
Writes a ''Red Hot" Letter to
John Dawson.
NOT ON RIGHT SIDE.
Insists That Insurgents Should
Join the Democrats.
He Cites the Case of Jacob and
ESau.

W. +. Hackney, of Winfield, famous
IN Kansas song and story, has broken
out again, this time over the request
made him by John Dawson to help him
(John) in his race for attorney general.
In his reply to this Dawson letter Old
Bill fairly snorts when he asks the at
torney for the railroad board what tick
ct ne is going to run on, and declares
In the same breath that the Hon. John
and ali his square deal friends are
Democrats.
After a discussion of the evils of tar
III reduction as exemplifed by the VIII
son Dill the Hon. Bill Hackney winds
up MS redhot reply as follows:
why not be honest and lineup with
champ Clark, Bryan and others who
have an organization already favorable
TO What they believe in? There is
nothing in a name. Neither you nor
L belong to any political party. We
simply act from time to time as the
years roll round. with that political
party standing most nearly for what
we believe, generally politically, and If
that party with whom We are affiliated
Geclare for policy, or when the power
to act Is given. decline to enact into
law such legislation as we think it
ought, and we withhold our approval of
such policy. sor of what a majority Of
that party do in congress, and which
Is approved of by the president, we
thereby cease to be a partisan as such
and our very act places US with all
others who are in opposition to such.
be our contentious and contentious what
they ma.
If men proclaim from the housetops
that they are honest. law-abiding citi-
zens, and cheat and steal when oppor-
tunity offers, their declarations deceive
none. So if man proclaims himself
a Republican and denounces legislation
enacted by a majority of that party in
congress. and the act of its president
in approving such. they are not Repub-
| Leans, any more than the Democrats
named are.
| I'm fact, in that they and the Demo
Gratis are aligned alongside of each
other on the tariff, Cannonism, ship
subsidy and what not, hence by their
| themselves outside of the Republican
party, but in the Democratic party
| and they of right have no voice in the
! Republican Iarty, and should not ex-
pect office ct the hands of that or
| ganization.
81 presume that you will, in read
| ing this, recall the fact that 1 was an
| 'insurgent once, as every addle-pated
idiot has vociferated that fact, when
| his own POLITICAL action in refusing
| further allegiance to that party was
under consideration. I confess to the
| charge, and glory in that fact, and
have no apologies to offer therefor
| but when I repudiated the st. Louis
platform and it's nominee, 1 did not
| claim to be a Republican longer, but
| boldly proclaimed myself a Democrat
| as hundred thousand people in
| northern Ohio. whom I addressed ir
1896, will testify. Why? Because by
my own act 1 had ceased to be a Re
| publican. and as an honorable man,
could claim to be a Republican nc
longer.
''And for the same reason you and
your associate insurgents socalled have
! ceased to be Republicans. Voicins
the sentiments of Champ Clark, the
Democratic leader in congress, and o1
Bryan, its leader everywhere, you an6
they have loined hands in your as
saults on the Republican party and its
| policies, and have no right to invite
the support of that party, much less
| to expect it.
'sWhy don't you and they be homes
| in this matter. as 1 was then? Be
| manly, and tell the people you are
| (C-ontinued on Page Four