National Republican., 1883-01-22
ME-. pn1rMn,s STATE.
The Condition ofThings in Kansas Briefly
Described.

f,DfCim LfUeF.
TOPEKA, KAN, Jan. 16.-The political stu.
alton in Kansas is somewhat unique. Two
years ago the state adopted prohibitory
liquor amendment to the constitution by 5000
majority, electing John p. st. John governor
by the usual republican majority. At the re-
publican state convention held last August
Gov. So. John was nominated for third term
by the almost unanimous vote of the conven-
tion, yet he was beaten at the November cleo
tion by an anti-prohibitiOn democrat.
Tho remainder of the republican state
ticket was, however, elected by reduced
maiOritios The prohibition wing of the repub-
lican party, which includes about two.thirds
of the republican vote, was not only able to
carry the primaries for st. John, but secured
" very large per ccntage of the nominees for
the legislature. The anti-prohibition repub-
licans either put UP candidates against the
republicans or endorse the democratic nom-
inees, so that for the first timo In the history
of the state, VIC had an opposition fight that
reached nearly every candidate, except the
minor nominees on the state ticket.
The state senate, which was elected two
years ago Is nearly solidly republican, there
being but three opposition members in u
membership of forty. The result of the elec.
tion last November gave us:
Republicans. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 10
Democrats .".....'......... .s.s'............. ~
Greenbackers .....'.........'s...'...... IL
Total membership .......................125
This gives forty-six opposition members in
the house.
Senator Preston B. Plumb, whose term ex-
pires on the fourth of March, is q candidate
for reelection. The state senate is largely in
favor of his return. 1t would naturally be
concluded, under the political excitement of
1,n pot, hat hn
tagonized by the opposition, but this was not
true. The senator came home from Washing
ton last summer after the state ticket had
been put in the field, and made vigorous
campaign for the straight republican ticket,
speaking in nearly every county in the state.
1t was expected that the opposition would
| unite in q senatorial candidate, and with the
assistance of disaGected republicans, make n
| lively senatorial campaign against our junior
senator. Kansas politicians are not slow to
| take advantage of opportunities for political
seance, but strange as IL may appear to out
siders, Senator Plumb has no opposition, no
gentleman having announced himself rs de-
sirOus of being voted for next Tuesday.
Ex-Gov. st. John is q warm personal friend
of the senator, and is outspoken in favor OF
his return. Mr.. George w. Click, the newly
| elected governor, has stated number of times
to his friends, that he was well pleased with
! Senator Plumb's course and was desirOuS that
! he be reelected and although we have mad q
vigorous anti-monopoly fight sandwched in
between prohibition and anti-prohibiton, the
anti-monopolists express the utmost conf.
dence in Mr.. Plumb, while tho corporations
have not attempted to make fight in him.
| The senator made strong prohibition
speeches during the campaign, insisted that
the present legislature should pass compre
honsive law for tho regulation of railways
| being most emphatic in all his utterances CON
cerding all questions of material or political
| concern.
Never before in the history Of the state have
we had senatorial election without regular
jamboree. Kansas Is getting old and conserv
ative. Senator Plumb is in Washington at
tending to his duties, while members Of oul
| legislature are scarcely thinking of the sena
torial election to be held so soon.
Some effort will be made to resubmi5 thu
prohibitory liquor amendment to o vote of thu
people, while it is claimed by others that
constitutional convention would rid the STATE
of the present liquor law. Possibly nothing
will be accomplished this winter further than
to amend the present liquor law, and allow
each community to manage the question Il
| suit itself.
The fact that our state is prosperous ant
happy may have much to do in keeping every
body in the utmost good humor while solving
important political and material problems.
| Il. B. NJ,