The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-12
.LEEDY COMES
TO TOWN.
Not as Anxious to Remove the
State Capitol
AS He Was That Time When
He Was Hot
UNDER THE COLLAR.
Leedy Says That Remark Was
"Just Bluff
''YOu Topeka People Got to
Thinking
That the Whole World Was Re-
VOlVing Around YOu.''
UNDER THE COLLAR.
Leedy Says That Remark Was
"Just a Bluff"
'YOu Topeka People Got to
Thinking
That the Whole World Was Re-
vOlVing Around YOu.''

Senator John W. Leedy, Populist
candidate for governor, came to Tope-
ka today. This is his first visit to To-
peka since his nomination. He was
here to consult with the members of
the executive committee in reference
to the campaign, and left shortly after
noon for Independence, where he
speaks tonight.
Senator Leedy stood in the office of
the National at noon with his cheap
straw hat tilted well back on his head
He was chewing a tooth pick and talk
ing with any one who cared to talk,
and he had all the opportunities any
one would care for.
why, hello!" said a Republican,
wearing a Mckinley button, ''how are
you getting along?'' and he shook the
Populist candidate warmly by the
hand. He introduced a man named
Vincent from Washington county.
4 suppose that name sounds fanil-
lar to you said Mr.. Vincent.
Yes, it has a ~Ood Populist ring to
it, !" responded Senator Leedy.
You are larger than expected to
see you" said the Republican
I weigh 230 pounds" replied the
gubernatorial candidate, which I
consider just 80 pounds too much''
I think we will be able to whip
about 100 pounds off you this fall re-
THAT is all right, gentlemen. You
will find that there is no man in the
country who can stand grief as well
as I can without losing flesh replied
Senator Leedy good naturedly.
I am really new to politics. said
Senator Leedy to a Journal reporter
Il was just an ordinary farmer until
L was elected to the senate. My father
came of a Dunkard family and they
would have abhorred any partici-
patton in politics.
7 %o 7
by the month to work on a farm The
man who employed me is now audi
tor of that state. [ saved a little mon
ey and went into the store business
but did not like that and became a
tenant farmer until I came to Kansas
when I settled on a farm in Coffey
county and did a little railroad con-
structiOn work.
Until 1872 I was a Republican, but I
left the Republicans when I saw that
the party was drifting into the con-
troll of the corporations. Then I be-
came a Democrat, and voted with them
until 1890 when I affiliated with the
POpuIists."
DO you not think the Democrats
are in a fair way to swallow the Pop
ulists?" asked the reporter
That reminds me of a story" re-
the two blacksnakes which you have
probably heard. They started in to
swallow each other, each beginning
with the others tail You can't tell
Were you surprised at your nomi-
well, can hardly say that I was.
I had it figured out that way ana
knew some pretty good fellows who
assured me that that was what was
going to happen
DO you like politics?''
There are some pleasant things about
politics, but there are other things
which are not SO pleasant. I suppose
have some of the qualities of a poIiti-
afea hnf4 r OF
to the abuse which is heaped upon a
candidate. 1t no longer has the least
effect upon me, for know that is what
I must expect. 1t is different with my
wife who is very sensitive about such
things. When the campaign warns up
and they commence to print all sorts of
things about me she will not read the
papers.
LAS far as my record is concerned, all
I can do is to point to the bills that
introduced into the senate and my acts
since I became public officer. I will
not go back on any of them
What about your bill to move the
capitaI?' interpolated the reporter.
"Oh, that was a bluff replied Sena-
tor Leedy, with a smile.
About that time these Topeka peo-
pie had concluded that the whole world
was revolving around them and I
wanted to correct that erroneous idea.
But see that the Missouri people stole
my plan, bill and all and they are now
engaged in moving their capital by the
plan which [ proposed. I object to
their stealing my thunder and unless
Bill Sterne gives me a corner lot in Sc
daIia there will be trouble and Sena-
tor Leedy's sides shook with laughter
in appreciation OF his own levity.
Mr. Leedy said in speaking of the ac-
ton of the Republican convention:
I am not disposed to criticise their
ticket at all. Their nomination for
chief justice is a good one for the Pop
ulists, as it will add several thousand
votes to our ticket. I am much pleased
with the prospects SO far; we had a fine
meeting at Emporia~''