The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-01
DAN ANTHONY,s RECORD.

] "A
Although the primary at which the
matter will be settled is a year in the
distance there has been considerable
activity of late in campaigning for
the next Republican nomination for
the seat in the house of representa-
tives that belongs to the First Kansas
Congressional district. Mr. Anthony
of Leavenworth, the present incum-
bent, will be a candidate for a re-
nomination. Judge Stuart of Troy is
an avowed candidate for the honor
He and his friends have been exceed
ingly active already in carrying on
campaign. It is probable that one
or more additional candidates will get
in the race.
And while Judge Stuart is man
of excellent and deserved reputation
and fine abilities. and while it will
probably be possible to say the same
of such other candidates as decide to
get into the contest, it is also a fact
that Mr.. Anthony has served his con-
stituency and Kansas in satisfactory
manner. He would thereby seem to
be entitled to another nomination, as
he will only have served in congress
term and half when the term he
is now serving expires. For one
thing, and it is an important one, too,
a constant changing of a states rep
resentatives in congress weakens the
prestige and the power of that state in
shaping the affairs Of national gov
ernment and also in looking after the
interests of the state. This is an un-
deniabIe fact, and one that Kansas
ought to have learned through some
rather bitter experiences
So where a congressman has dis
charged his duties with satisfaction he
should be continued in office for a
few terms. Mr.. Anthony, to be sure,
has not attracted as much atten&ion
as some of the other members of con-
gress from Kansas. He has not made
as much noise. Nor has he promul-
gated any theoretical political pan
aceas for the curing of national evils,
real and imaginary. But he has been
working hard and conscientiously for
his district, for Kansas and for the
country in general. He has been
guns, and he has generally been
standing on the right side. 1t is i'm
possible to expect that he or any 9TH
er congressman could always be in the
right or always act in a way that
WOulQ D0 absolutely dCCSptdDlO u ON-
erybody in his district and state. No
human has reached the state of in
fanibility as yet.
| An instance of Mr.. Anthony's cour-
age is to be found in his vote in favor
OF reciprocity with Canada. Such a
course was not in sympathy with a
considerable sentiment in Kansas, a
mistaken sentiment in the minds Of
many who have given the matter
careful consideration. Even Victor
Murdoch has been quoted as saying
| that his "insurgent" brethren in the
house and the senate made mistake
in opposing reciprocity, because it is
progressive legislation along right
lines. 1t is not likely nor is it expected
that this reciprocity scheme will work
out with any sudden or remarkable
this country, nor work in any mater
ial way to their disadvantage This
is due to the fact that conditions in
agriculture and manufacture are
much the same in Canada as in the
United States. But where this Can
adian reciprocity bill is of value is
that it is the entering wedge to make
break in the unreasonably protec-
tive tariff wall with which the United
States has been surrounded. A vote
for this reciprocity bill was a vote
for tariff reform of the right sort.
And Mr.. Anthony's good judgment in
voting as he did on this important
measure is certain to be vindicated.