Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-08-17
THURSDAY. AUGUST II. 1911
KANSAS IS FOR TAFT.

Thft's popularity nele'
the letters 1t says:
II is again in order to inquire
WHAT'S the matter with Kansas?
why? Because she is giving an
other demonstration Of her mercuriai
political temperament. The worO
s'insurgent" is becoming unpopular
in the sunflower state; stranger
might even surmise that 1t was de-
generating into term OF disrespect
or opprobrium. Wherever possible
the word progressive Is being SUD
stiuted, and In this way candidates
for office are smuggling up to the
socalled regulars, for they realiHe
that as q general rule success az
the polls next year can not be oO-
tained with divided forces.
A year or more ago 1t would not
be strictly accurate to say that Pfesl-
dent Taft enjoyed a general popu-
IarIty throughout Kansas. Libels bad
been uttered against him by political
opportunists, who pell-melled up
over his broad shoulders, obscurlns
him temporarily, but thus drawihs
public attention to themselves in
many ways distinctly unfair the
president was misrepresented by po-
litical orators apparently suffering
from paranolas disturbances Tatt
was put in eclipse, but he is now
rapidly emerging from the shadow
and the Republicans of this stEe
recognize in him the same kind o.
man whom they supported so en-
Enthusiastically in the 1908 campaign
A wave of Taft sentiment Is travel
ing rapidly over the rich prairie lana
of this state. 1t is sweeping "insur-
gency" from its moorings-that is
to say, that particular species OF
insurgency" which Is bent upon
rule or ruin policy in the Republic
can party. Republicans are now
apostrophizing the president where
al a year ago they were assailing
him. Candidates for office are de-
claring for his denomination and re-
election because they realize that 1t
"a becoming a sine qua non to poll
tical preference. Frothy excoriation
has been superseded by well meant
appreciation of Taft's worth his sta
bility, his accomplishments, and mis-
sane and rational progressiveness'
In 1909 and 1910 these was such
an onrush of Insurgency" In this
state as threatened to sweep the Re-
publican party to destruction Just
as 90 years ago the Populistic wave
ingulfed the state. Last year In the
primary campaign a prominent IN
surgent' orator, them as now
member Of congress, boldly proclaim
ed from the stump that "the inter-
ests" we're in control Of the federal
government at Washington and spec
flied the senate, the house, and tie
white house. A generation ago Por-
ulIsm fattened upon the great red
dragon Of Wall street" this time the
'insurgents" furnished the daily and
nourishing menu for Insurgency"
ant the dish has lost its palatability'
II seems to have created an epidemic
Of political indigestion. But an ef-
ficacious antidote was found, and It
was simply nothing more than sober
reflection.
The Kansas farmers and business
men have been doing some hard
thinking on political subje3s me
mast year. The people Of this state
irrespective Of occupation, are great
readers. Lately they have been per
using other literature than diatribes
against "the interests" and indict'
ments falsely joining the national ad'
ministration up to them. They are
getting the right focus upon what
has been happening in Washington
and are ready to acknowledge thai
their minds have been working OBJ
liquely. Now Taft is coming int
his own, and practically everywher'
the prediction is made that he vii
be able to count upon the supper
Of the Kansas delegation at the mex
national convention.
Although Senator Bristow, in hi
sallna newspaper. has been booming
Senator LaFolIette Of Wisconsin 70
the presidential nomination. and evi
IDENTIFY proposes to make q fight 10
delegates for his colleague, the Az
sraes Republican politician part
cnlarly those Who come 70 the stat
capital, doubts that he VIII Be abl
% rsiiy many Of he adAeEeai. unae
a. nnii1aii banner. Drlrou's Atil