The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-03
THEY HELP THEMSELVES FIRST

l Il Il
Great is political reform. with Re-
publican insurgency for it's prophet.
Control of the Republican organiza-
ton in Pennsylvania has changed
hands as a result of Colonel Roose-
velt's victory in the presidential pri-
mary in that state. Boss Penrose has
been deposed. In his place, the dis
ciples of political righteousness have
enthroned "BiH' Finn of Pittsburg.
That Mr.. Finn has lost none of his
political cunning or machine ways
since his enforced retirement from
the political arena of Pittsburg and
Pennsylvania is shown by the gra-
cious but firm way with which he con-
Quoted the recent Pennsylvania state
convention to select delegates at large
to the Chicago convention. 'Bill'
showed himself to be past master of
the art.
--Bill'' Finn. it will be remem-
bered, has served as a state senator
in Pennsylvania. But that was only
side issue with him. He was the Re-
publican boss of Pittsburg for
many years. During that time he
feathered his own nest to the tune of
several million dollars on public con-
tracts. This, of course. was at the ex-
pense of the people. He got SO vigor-
Gus in this fashion as political boss"
for the large monetary profits which
would accrue to him thereby. that
even the Republicans of Pittsburg,
who will stand for good DEAL
thought it was time to call a halt. So
they sent "BilP' to back seat. 1t
was comfortable enough for Bill"
He had made much hay while the
sun shone.
Thus was Mr.. Finn at ease, if out
of the limelight and power, until Col
onel Roosevelt's campaign for the
presidential nomination took form in
Pennsylvania. "BilT' suddenly reap
peared on the political horizon as a
champion of Colonel Roosevelt. He
was welcomed with open arms. The
colonel has been taking all kinds of
hot shots at President Taft for his
alleged connection with political
bosses of the wrong type. When
the ColoneFs attention was called to
his association with Mr.. Finn, it was
ascertained that 'tBill" had undergone
a remarkable transformation. He
had developed into a political boss
of the good type, one of those who
was willing and eager to fight the
great battle for the rights of the
plain pee-pul. AS such Colonel
Roosevelt expressed great pleasure at
having "Bill'' with him.
In other words, having worked the |
people assiduously through all man |
ner of graft for an ample fortune, |
"BilP' Finn of Pittsburg, Pa, has
his political ideals and |
methods over night. He is now fight |
ing with the Roosevelt cohorts in be- |
half of the people.
Nor are the reformers of such a |
stripe exclusive with Pittsburg and
and other sections of the /
east. They can be found here and /
there even in great and glorious west
They have made their pile of money. |
Not always has it come through graft
of the political sort. But they have
made their pile in this way and in that.
The people have paid for it Indirectly.
The plain pee-pul pay for everything.
If if were not that they had to pay IN |
order to live, no one could amass a
fortune in any activity. Having made
their piles off the people, they are now
Jealous to help the people on to bet
Ter things A condition is attached,
though. Before they can help the peo-
Die, the people are politely but firmly
-euuested to see that they are put in
public office where the powers are large
md where the emoluments are gen.
,rally sufficient to pay current ex-
,enses. Great is political reform,
With Republican insurgency for its