The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-11
PIE OR NO PIE.
Kansas Delegation Torn Asun-
der on This Question.
BristOw Wants Lions Share
Which Curtis Has.
HOLDING UP THREE
Junior Senator Says He'll Pre-
vent All Combinations.
That Is Unless His Senior Will
Promise to Divide.
HOLDING UP THREE

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE question
of distributing federal patronage in
Kansas presents a most unique situa-
ton. No other state presents such a
case as Kansas.
In the first place Kansas has two
well organized factions in the Repub-
lican party, one which is termed the
regular wing, and the other the insur-
gent or progressive element. 1t is the
same old story of war to the knife
between two different factions in the
party in Kansas. There has always
been two factions, one regular with the
various national administrations, and
another which seemed to be eternally
kicking and knocking when it came to
the question of distributing federal
pie. Mudslinging has been in vogue
and the most bitter encounters ever
threshed out at the White House had
the elimination in the Sunfiower state.
1t has always been a war between
the various senators or between the
senators and the house members of
the delegation as to agreeing upon
who would hold each of the big
four presidential appointments in
Kansas-the attorneyship. the mar
Shalship, pension agent at Topeka, and
the job of internal revenue collector.
When only one Republican senator
was elected with a Democratic col
league, then the Republican senator
and the house delegation had it out to
senators are sent to Washington from
the state they never fail to disagree
on appointments of this kind. The re-
suit is, there has always been turmoil.
1t is the history of the Sunf1ower state
politics ever since Kansas was admit
ted as a state.
Strange as it may seem Kansas has
never elected two senators represent
ing united party on all questions,
and particularly in appointment mat
tiers. Even though the state has for
many years rolled up magnificent Re-
publican nlajorities and occupied
prominent place in national political
affairs, its representation both in the
senate and house has seldom worked
tremendously on all things. There
have been times when they did, but
those were seldom This condition
has been the subject of much observa-
ton and comment at Washington for
years. It has been the cause of much
wonderment in high political circles
why the Kansans, with their remark
able political strength at home, have
not worked together tremendously and
obtained for the state more substan-
tia1 recognition in Washington in the
way of big appointments in the cabi-
net. the departments and in the diplo-
matte corps.
President TafG's Problem
But with Kansas again occupying a
notable position in the political equa-
state in the whole country which re-
Gently elected solid Republican
delegation to congress, President Taft
finds himself confronted with a most
difficult problem-that of conserving
the interests of the party in the state.
and also his future interests there. He
is having his troubles with Kansas as
did Harrison, Mckinley and Roosevelt.
On the one side Mr.. Taft is asked to
conserve and protect the regular or
ganization in Kansas which aided in
making him president, and further
more has aided him in his policies
since occupying the White House. On
the other hand is the progressive ele-
ment which is insisting upon full
recognition in all matters so far as its
dictatorial and legislative power is
concerned.
InSurgent senators generally triumn1,
IN the 1act that they will represent the
balance of power in the senate after
March 4. next. AS it stands now the
Republicans in the senate have fifty-
nine out of a total membership of nine
! ty-two. After March the Republicans
| VIII have but fifty. Forty-seven is the
| senate majority. It is clear the Re-
| publican margin is extremely narrow
A few more changes by reason IF
death or election would give the Demo-
Gratis control.
| Representing the balance of power in
| the next congress, the -insurgent Re-
rate in their attitude toward the White
| House. Some have gone so far this ses-
| sion as to decline to call at the White
! House when sent for by the president
or by his secretary. Even special mes
! sengers have failed to bring them
| around. Others have responded to r
! call for conferences. but in all matters
| of appointments the insurgent senators
! take common ground that if their rec
concentrations do not receive favorable
| n of no !,
cannot expect their cooperation in put
/ ting through his legislative program or
their support for his denomination in
1912. Of course, they don't come OF
| in the open and state their position,
! but this is the case, nevertheless.
! 1t is no wonder that President Taft
is seriously worried over the question
of dispensing patronage in states whers
| insurgency has more or less taken root
and is showing growth.
| An Amusing Observation.
| AS was chronicled in the columns of
| the State Journal a few days ago the
| two Kansas senators were sent for by
/ the president in an endeavor to get
| them together on the pending Kansas
| appointments. When the two senator's
| were ushered into the presidents office
an interesting episode occurred 4
| New York member of the house, who
| had been with the president and was
on the point of departing when the
| Kansans appeared. turned to Mr. Taft.
apparently displaying much earnestness
| said: Say. Mr.. President do you think
it is entirely safe for me to leave the
two Kansas senators here in this room
together ?'' The president is said tn
have given forth one of his big hearty
laughs, assuring his caller that there
was no just cause for making such an
observation.
| So the conference proceeded. 1t lasted
/ for an hour and twenty minutes Al
though it was the first meeting when
all three were together, the Kansas
senators appeared friends toward each
other but at the same time were just
as obdurate as previously in their de-
mands upon the president The confer
ence ended without any new develop
ment The situation stands today just
as it did when Mr.. Bristow entered the
i senate.