The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-15
STATEMENT FROM CRANE.

Crane antagonized him because Sterne
! is for Hudson for state printer"
The fact as stated is correct, but the
cause given is not l have not opposed
any one for that reason, but for reasons
entirely different
The fact is, | am opposed to public Of
I ficials as delegates in conventions, and
mem bers of central committees; and also
| opposed to candidates for public posi-
| tions sitting in conventions to make plat
| forms and nominations. 1t is very bad
| taste for them to do so, and very bad
policy for the people to allow it to be
done. BY "people" / mean the persons
who earn their living outside of politics,
and who earn the money that pays the
taxes to support these public officials.
The history of that caucus is. on Thurs
day evening the 3rd, Senator Sterne and
twelve others, invited guests, got
together in the mayors office
and fixed up n ticket of
fifteen delegates and fifteen alter
mates. The ticket contained the name
of Senator Sterne and several other pub
lie officials, as delegates. 1t was not
Morrill, caucus, and Mr.. Sterne opposed
motion to instr uct for Mr.. Morrill,; but
it was published in the Capital a large
and enthusiastic meeting of the vo tiers
of the Third ward" and the in structiOns
were published with it The following
day the members of the county central
committee for the ward, published call
d
the 7th at the Copeland. About one
hundred and forty attended. The ticket
issued by that caucus did not contain the
names of Mayor Harrison. Senator Sterne
and several others that were on the tick
ct made by these select few.
There are many good reasons why pub
lie officials and candidates for office
should not sit in conventions. After
man has obtained public position, he is
supposed to have what he desired, and
should. in decency, be content to let
others have a chance When man is
a candidate for one position, he should
keep hands off of candidates for other
positions. The occupations of public
officials are such that they can utilize
six days each week to talk politics, put
up states, and fix up jobs; while those of
US who have to work for living have
our minds occupied with other things.
and at night find it necessary to sleep,
while they are lying awake thinking up
schemes to perpetuate themselves and
helpers, in office.
Now, the programme laid out for Sen
ator Sterne was first to be elected del
egate to the county convention, and by
the convention to be selected as d dele
gate to the state convention, and by the
delegates to the state convention Sc
lected as Shawnee county's member of
the state central committee, and by
the state central committee to be Sc
lected as its chairman to manage the
state campaign. l would not be surprised
if Major Hudson should try to be made
chairman of the county convention, del
egate to the state convention, chairman
of the state convention, or be again made
chairman of its committee on resolutions.
All this may seem fair to some, but to me
it is not There is danger of ambitious
persons prOstituting their positions to
purposes not intended by the persons
" no gave them their positions. My fear
is caused by the knowledge that Senator
Sterne, weeks ago, before delegat was
named, assured certain candidates for
state offices, mot residents of Shawnee
county, that We are going to give you
some votes, but you must remember that
it is on Major HudsOn's account, and
when the time comes. we will expect you
to help him in the state printer fight"
VIII the state campaign be used for the
same purpose, if Senator Sterne is made
its chairman? Have | a right to protest?
Several weeks ago 1 sent word to Sena-
tor Sterne that l would oppose him in
all his ambitions in this line. He viii
not go to the county convention, and may
not go to the state convention. If he is
not made chairman of the state central
committee, this city will not suffer. be-
cause the committee work will be done
here anyhow.
have helped Senator Sterne to office
more than once, and have done him val
liable political service. When he was
Outstanding that he should be neutral on
the state printer question. He cast two
votes Zone proxy, for Major Hudson in
the legislative state printer caucus, but
l made no objection; l did feel hurt
though, at the kicking that exhibit
ed after my nomination L will make no
mention of the causes that brought about
the change in the nominee ten days aft
erward, except to say that it was by de-
ception-
Now, Mr.. Capper, 1 have tried to
make my fights openly. l have never
had the assistance of a large lobby
of professional politicians to help me
and abuse my opponent.
Some weeks ago, published in the
STATE JOURNAL an open letter to Major
Hudson, proposing that at the time of
electing the delegates to the county con-
vention for nominating county officers,
each of our names should be placed
upon the tickets as candidates for state
printer. This would let the people of
the county express a choice on the ques-
ton, and could be considered as instruc-
tiOns in each representative district.
Thus, the state printer fight would dis
appear from the contest for representa-
tive. believe in leaving to the people,
lie Importance that can be cOnven-
iently submitted to them The cost would
be nothing. The time for holding the
convention has not yet been set: there is
still plenty of time. ALI of the tax pay
ers are interested, and 1t affects them
more, even, than some are aware. 1 would
much rather trust the vote of the people
than the acts of a few politicians. l
tried to bring about such a result four
years ago, but my opponent would not
consent to it Two years ago the state
printer fight entered largely into the