People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 February 1897 — Radical Action Expected from Kansas. [ARTICLE]

Radical Action Expected from Kansas.

In Kansas the populists have supreme control in all branches of the state government, and the country has a right to expect something more radical than the mere passage of resolutions. They may pass a genera act reducing salaries, but that aioue will stamp them with brand of incompetence unless action more far reaching is placed upon the statute books.

Dispatches announce that what is known as the Campbell measure is being seriously entertained with strong probability for its passage. This measure authorizes the issuance by me state of circulating warrants n. denominations of 'I. si!, yd at, . -Tm The same to draw 1 pei j cent interest XorAen years, after which time interest shall cease upon a outstanding unredeemed warrants. The volume of such ‘fssu'e shall not exceed 1 percent of tile assessed valuation of the state; the .•name to be distributed to the counties and constitute a fuiiclTom opening a system of public improvements to which idle labor can go for employment and a tine of guO to daUH imposed upon whoever discounts the face value. .This would at on,ce stimulate enterprise and start lire wheels lo moving throughout the sidle. It would not come under the provision of the state bank restrictions, but it win strike a blow at the v-itais of the scalping fraternity and renevc the pressure upon all titles oi leg-Lunate business. If the Kan ; sas populists at their present SC-s- :;| do uo.t; time some SUCH | ran. . action they cannot be | held as a beacon i.ghi to othei ■ • .ties who are following in the onward march anil si taking offthe v;t:;' oousm of old par! v rule. I ; .jo. i i .cm institute a system of! a mprovemenus ici them oa.sU’Gctr a telegraph -ystem .nnec.lng the leading cities o .lie state, own it. and operate it • ' . u.t tlueuceu oy ••vesie.t ■ • > o ex istiiig corporations. ' u." .-.nor i.vne. Ua'.km he- | . * cate tied two-vent so o hill, ;ch enge 11uv;rs (i:llK>- .cm ‘ ?- rbact nieit..!: tlse j-resent teUr apli cotiipidpies’ see lit to re • wig e- or discharge their o go :io .r ; there wilt he places t I,item tu once on the lines owned and operated by the state ■ Refo tn that turns Out one set of b. oodsuckers to make places l or a ;i»lot, without tin ! in;.., »■•••'•; vvti i; •» rsuttv e.- ! ■*■ ' ; :.U< !' .• . ' Mtf rtS tj * I f , ■;; •>v. ;; .-•■ s i. .■• <mp oymen. . is a vve expoet f'*am ;m - P - j. but not from the new

progressive movement such as j to-day holds power in Kansas. ‘Unless something of this character marks the present session of the legislature in that state, advocates of ‘reform within the party aia Pinagree and Tillman, will make hard sledding for reform proseiyters in the years to come. Some are clamoring for the direct legislation measure in that state, but that will require lb j republican votes which makes its passage an impossibility. Hence let the pressure from outside awaken tbe Kansas legislature to cease its irtffiug with temporary make shifts, but to .strike out boldly on entirely new , ones; inaugurate tue new dis i

pensation by breaking away irons traditional barriers and environments, and set into active operation a system of widening opportunities on "a grander scale, regardless of tiic patchwork nonsense which oid fogy leaders contemplate upon their systemnow decrepit with age and impotency. Reduction of salaries is all right so long as the dollars and their purchasing power are controlled by forces higher than Hie stale, bn; the stale clearly has tne right to own and operate I some public affairs, upon its own resources, at least it can .force the issue to a higher tribunal to : deny it if they choose, as in the Bred IScott; decision of slavery times. The reform sentiment? ■ hr all parties throughout the nation is looking with expectant hopefulness to Kansas for the inauguration of reforms that in •act are reforms, and times are ripe to give radical measures a trial. Let there be no disappointment. The State of Nebraska is once more in hard luck as the result, of entrusting her state exchequer into republican hands. With a former custodian of her funds doing time in State's prison for a half million defalcation; now ••omes another shortage of £s;?}’. • 702 in accounts ot the retiring official. Not being a popup.-.v. ue matter is amply excused an-b apologized tor by tue “IndonHirdent” and great Metropuio.an 'press. Let the reader pause and relied what extenuation tbeie would oei'or a populist even one beuie snort when turning over nis accounts. 'l'ntnlr *s«*'iid*> thug ,'. ti.-’ !he elec. ;<,ii o tt. » '• n N-eora.ska t-b*- tax. .i.\-./*■ ■ r,{ t-i.at stale wontd have rem w-M-vt . ’ !, l • - mI ■ mi • "A CCO id. itWW t•i *• ; C (not;ms were being used to bold up otherwise worth less ban I, ;ng

institutions all over the country. There are often, and generally i too, very excellent reasons why state as well as county treasurers desire continuation in office. ! Populists throughout every state stood loyally by Tom Watson during the trying events of the past campaign, and through it ail hoped that no hot headed demonstration would eventuate. Such hopes have been dispelled since it has become known that upon the election of Pritchard, a gold bug republican from North Carolina to the senate, Mr. Watson telegraphed his congratulations. Senator Butler’s paper, the “Ckncasian,” denounces Harry Skinner, who led the fight for Pritchard, of North Carolina, for the senate. Pritchard is an avowed goidbug and the fact seventeen Populists voted for trim has caused national comment. Tom Watson wired congratulations. The People’s party caucus issued an address condemning the course of the Populists who voted for Pritchard.