The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-27
MR.. SCOTS POSITION.

Congressman Scott's answer to the
charges OF his opponents that he is a
"reactionary" is to the point. There is
nothing in Mr. SCOTS record to show
that he has ever lined up against any
of the progressive measures which
have been suggested for the settlement
of the important questions which have
been pressing during the past couple
of years. II Mr.. Scott Is to be dubbed
"reactionarv" because he is a party
man and believes in majority rule, he
Is satisfied to have it that way. Mr..
Mitchell, who would like to defeat Mr..
Scott for the congressional nomination
In the Second district, defines a ''re-
dictionary" as one who Stands for 60
ing back to 'he way of doing things
before the Roosevelt administration. -
And If he were asked how things were
done during that administration in the
all-iInportant matter of framing ma
tional legislation, the work which con-
gressmen are sent to Washington to
participate in, he would have to an
swer that it was accomplished IN the
self-same way that it was before that
administration. In a way, too, that
brought forth many words of praise
from Mr.. Roosevelt. who is himself a
part man and who believes in ma
jority rule.
That is the only manner in which
things can be accomplished satisfac-
torily by parties and they can not be
done at all without parties and party
responsibility. There was an instance
of this at tho last session of the Kan
sas legislature. 1t was the most in
effective legislative gathering in the
ut 80 h. fnfA
the Republican majority of the house
that there was nothing like a sem
blance of an organization to conduct
the affairs OF the house and thereby
do the work that the people had en-
trusted to the majority. All persons
who are familiar with the work of
that legislature know the result. What
was everybody's business happened to
be nobody's business. No needed leg
islation Of any importance was passed.
Some which was passed was in such
shape as to make It ineffective. For
after the legislature adjourned
there was a daily story in the news
papers that the legislature forgot to do
this and forgot to do that. Its care |
lessness has been unequalled in legis- |
lative annals. The administration of |
several state departments have been
seriously hampered by its negligence.
This is an excellent sample OF the |
that is bound to develop in
every legislative assemblage where an |
effective machinery of the majority in
power is impaired by the cantankerous
and selfish actions of a minority of its |
members.
AS matter of fact, Congressman
Scott appears to be a most valuable
representative in congress for this I
state. Through his length of service
and his ability he has risen to the
of the committee on
agriculture, one of the most important
committees IN the house. In his posi-
ion as chairman of this committee he
IAN further or retard the development
IF agriculture in the nation, a matter
hat is of vital concern to an agricu1-
ural state like Kansas. Do the sup
1orters of MI. Mitchell think that If
heir candidate is successful he will
tep into the congressional shoes now
illed by Mr.. Scott? If they do. they
ire sadly mistaken. It would take
Mitchell or any other man a number
If years of continued service to rise to
position in the house of representa-
ives of similar power and influence
o that held by Mr.. Scott. The defeat
If Mr.. Scott for a denomination will
mean the material lessening of the
power Kansas now Yields in the adj
Of national affairs.