The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-01-04
THEY MAKE A BIG FOUR.
A Ouartette of Candidates for Cover
nor of Kansas
On TIE STATE REPUBLICAN TICKET.
Grand Army MAN Harris, Farmer
Tom Potter, Lieut.. Gov. TrOutHaan
and Editor Ed Koch.

Grand Army Man HARRIS, Farmer
Tom Potter, Lieut.. Gov TrOutman
and Editor Ed Koch.
Although Governor Morrill, denies the
story that he is to decline a denomination
before the time for holding the first state
convention, there are already four talked
of candidates for his place on the ticket.
None of the talked of candidates for
governor desires to come out openly until
after Governor Morrill, makes the way
clear by declining denomination, but
their friends are talking for them and
when the time comes for an open canvas,
the field will be we'll occupied.
First and most prominent am ong the
Prospective guberna.orial candidates Is
Mr.. J. p. Harris of Ottawa, the present
department commander of the G. A. r.
Jack" Harris has long been the polit-
ical "boss' of Franklin county and has
always been an active Republican. He
has been treasurer OF Franklin county
aud at one time represented franklin
and Coifey counties in the state senate.
Since he was elected department COM
mander of the G. A. r. last February,
Mr.. Harris and his chief lieutenant,
ttCurly" Harrison, adjutant general OF
the G. A. r, have held eighty -thr ee
camp fires in as many different counties
in the state and those who know about
these camp fires say each one was as
good as a political meeting.
Mr. Harris has long been ambitious to
get into state politics, and the position of
department commander has given him
an opportunity to get in touch with the
old soldier element in the party better
than any other way.
While politics is not always talked at
the camp fires, it is in the post room that
the old soldiers talk most freely about
everything, and "COmrade" Harris has
found warm place in the hearts of most
of the boys" who attended his camp
fires during the summer.
Mr. Harris is banker, and has been a
successful business man, and his friends
say he is just the man to succeed Major
Morrill, as governor
The announcement was made a few
weeks ago that Mr.. 7. NJ. Potter of Pea
body, best known as TOM Potter, presi-
dent of the state board of
agriculture, would be candidate
for governor, and would an
nounce himself at the coming meeting
of the agricultural board next week. Mr..
Potter is a graduate of Yale, and is a
successful farmer and stock raiser; if he
announces his candidacy next week, as
has been said, he will have a large fol-
lowing of Republicans from mis- part of
the state who will urge his nomination.
to Governor Morrill, is discussed the name
of Lieutenant Governor James a. Trout
man is sure to be mentioned as his posi-
BILE successor.
AS a candidate for lieutenant governor
two years ago Mr.. TrOutman led the Re-
publican ticket, and the presiding
officer over the Populist senate last win
ter he succeeded in winning the admira-
ton and respect of every member of that
body. The friends of Jim Troutman be-
lieve he is the best equipped man in
Kansas to fill the governors chair and
If the way is opened to make
a canvass for the nomination Lieutenant
Governor Troutman's friends will urge
his nomination. The only thing against
him is that he lives in Topeka but some
of the shrewdest Republicans in the
state say the time has come wnen the
question of location must be forgotten in
the selection of the man for Office, if the
party expects to win
Ed Hoch who was a candidate for the
nomination two years ago has many
friends who want to see him nominated
this time, but it is pretty generally
understood that Hoch will be for Tom
Potter who lives in his county. These
are the men who are most talked of now
to head the Republican state ticket this