LETTER: Footsteps of the governors

I have always respected the office of the state’s governor. A few days ago, I went inside the old wooden building at Lecompton Kansas “Constitution Hall” which was the home of the old Territorial Capital of Kansas.

I could almost feel the presence of the several men who climbed those old wooden stairs and whose heated conversations in that upper room drew national attention in the days just prior to the American Civil War.

In January 1987, Gov. John W. Carlin finished his term of office, and by that August he was my professor at Wichita State University. I have always admired the governor’s residence in Topeka, Cedar Crest, but only got the chance to tour that nice mansion a few days ago.

I was impressed by the antique silver-service from the battleship U.S.S. Kansas and to know Theodore Roosevelt was a frequent visitor to the Cedar Crest grounds.

A few minutes earlier, I drove to the Mt. Hope cemetery in Topeka and paid my respects at the grave of former Gov. Alf Landon. Later that day, I travelled to Atchison to pay my respects at the grave of former Kansas Gov. George W. Glick, who is buried at Mt. Vernon cemetery in Atchison.

Then I drove to Gov. Glick’s old residence which is now a bed and breakfast where I stayed the night. While there, I pondered all the decision-making that had occurred at those places — and the multitude of decisions each of the men made.

I ask myself now: “Do today’s governors care about ethics, integrity and how their character is viewed by others?”

In the wake of the governor of South Carolina’s escapades, I think future elected politicians need to voluntarily assume a “morals clause” in addition to their oath of office.

Granted, we are all sinners. But, politicians need an additional bit of incentive to walk uprightly during their terms. There is no such thing as a division between “public life” and “private lives.” Integrity must be strived for at all times, when you have public service aspirations.

— James A. Marples,

Esbon