The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-30
CY LELAND is DEAD

tCortiuupd from Page One.I
most bitter political battles the state
has known. Beginning in 1889, he
served four years as revenue collector
under President Harrison.
1t was. the result of the scheming
of Leland and his associates that over
threw the Farmers Alliance and gave
e. n. Morrill, the election as governor
in 1904. There began the acme of
Leland's triumphs in politics. As
result of the organization which .Le-
land had perfected in the campaign
to elect Morrill,, a machine was built
that not only gave Leland undisputed
control of his party " the state, but
also was the framework for the or
ganization that delivered the state
from the Populists
Out for Mckinley.
In 1906, Leland was able from his
organization under the Morrill, admin
istration to select the del sgation that
went to Chicago shouting and yelling
for William Mckinley Tie nominal
ton of Mckinley was a Personal and
distinct testimonial of the fight which
Leland and his associates in Kansas
had helped to organize.
There was little sleep for Leland
during that memorable campaign of
1895 when the McKinley-Bryan fight
was waged to a poll of every vote.
Kansas went for Bryan. But it wasn't
a death knell for Leland anC his fol-
lowers. Mckinley was president and
until the day of his assassination. Lee
land was the high card of the Middle
West with the national administra-
ton.
Close to Administration.
In Washington few men from the
dent Mckinley and Mark Hanna than
Leland. Nor did the KaLsan abuse
the trust and confidence. Yet when
an issue came and Leland was forced
TO assert his power, ne OVERRIDE Sen
ator Iucien Baker in debating the
distribution of patronage.
The personal plum to Leland was
appointment as pension agent in To-
peka. He held the office four years
and was slated for reappCintment
There is little doubt that he would
have received second term at the
hands of President Mckinley had it
not been for the fatal trip to Buffalo.
One report always current in Kansas
politics was to the effect that Presi-
dent Mckinley had not only planned
to name Leland for a second term but
had directed preparation of papers
for his appointment.
When President Roosevelt assembled
to the presidency, Leland went out
of the pension office. He was succeed
ed by Senator Wilder s. Metcalf, of
Lawrence, now brigadier general in
command of national army troops at
Fort Beaucamp, La.
Member of the Legislature.
During the period of his power in
state politics, Leland served Il number
of terms in the state legislature. He
returned to the house in the session
of 1901 and was reelected to service
in the sessions of 1903-O5.
In 1908 Leland opposed Walter Ros-
coe Stubs for the governorship in the
first state wide primaries in Kansas.
1t was Leland's last important play
in state affairs.
The former political boss and die
tator was one of the wealthiest men
in Doniphan county. He was an ex-
tensive land owner and when not
playing politics devoted his time to
agricultural interests. In his years
in politics Leland was in touch with
every man of prominence IN the state
For a quarter of a century Leland
was one of the most important char
acters on the political stage in. the
state" said Morton Albaugh today