The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-08-21
THEO. M. B. BOSS
IN TOWN.
John HOenscheidt Says Repub-
licans Are "AIl Right .
Says He Has Such Assurances
From Their Managers.
WILL SEE MORRILL,,
And Then He Will See the 9th
er Candidates.
o. NJ. B. Will Nominate a Ticket
If They Have To.

John Hoenscheidt of Wichita, chief
organizer and originator of the Mystic
Brotherhood, commonly known as the
O. M. B., is in Topeka today. It may
be regarded as significant that he
stopped at the Copeland, the headquar-
ters of the Republicans. 1t may also
be regarded as significant that he was
seen in conference with Chairman J. NJ.
Simpson of the Republican state cen
trail committee.
In fact Mr. Hoenscheidt told a Jaur-
nal reporter that he had received as
surances from the Republican man
ayers that everything would be "all
right He is not satisfied with these
assurances, however, but wants to see
Governor Morrill, himself and put him
through a course of questioning con-
cerning his attitude on the prohibition
question. The reporter suggested that
in his opinion it was hardly necessary,
as the position of Governor Morrill, on
that question was we'll known, but Mr..
Hoenscheidt said that he wanted to put
him on record thoroughly.
Il tell you we are on top" said the
0. M B. boss Things are coming
our way. They come to US now. We
don't have to hunt anyone. We now
have 50 900 members in the state. We
have 500 lodges in $50 town, and we are
branching out in every direction There
are y lodges in Topeka"
either of the candidates for gOvernOr?''
mo, 1 have not seen them yet, but
I will see both of them. If they both
answer my questions satisfactorily 1t
will be all right and we will make no
| Endorsement, but if one of them does
answer the questions as we wish, and
we are assured that he is all right, we
will indoFSe him.
DO you think you will be able to
control your membership"
Yes, am satisfied we will. Our or
ganization is not political We are
working for one thing and we will not
| let politics interfere with our purpose
| We are trying to secure resubmissiOn,
| and we viii get what we are after
What will be done in case neither
candidate answers yours questions sat
! isfactorily?"
I'VE will nominate another ticket and
we will make somebody mighty sorry
We will not nominate a ticket unless
we have to but if we find that it will
be necessary we will do so. Our con-
vention will be held in October when
that matter will be settled"
Have you seen Mr.. Leedy, the Pop
ulist-Democratic nominee
No [ have not seen him but I hope
to before I leave town. 1 do not know
how he stands on the question of pro-
hibition but no matter how he stands
we will put him on record.
Then Mr.. Hoenscheidt fell to talking
of local matters. You remember, said
he, when the lodges here appointed
committee and Governor Morrill, held
consultation with them. I understand
that things are all right here now and
you are not bothered any more"
Mr. Hoenscheidt will not leave the
city until tomorrow. He, in the mean
time will circulate among the Topeka
lodges and infuse new life into them.
Governor Morrill, is not in Topeka and
Mr. HOenscheidt will not be able to see
him. Mr.. Leedy was here today but
went to Kansas City this afternoon and
it is probable that the conference with
the gubernatOrial candidates will be
deferred
Mr.. Hoenscheidt had an easy conf
dent air as if he is master of the stu
alton He seemed to have no doubt
whatever that he will succeed in get
ting the right kind of answers from the
candidates. I'VE keep a tab on all the
candidates." said he, through the sub
ordinate lodges and not a man runs for
Office in Kansas that we do not know
all about.
The o. NJ. B. boss will continue the
work of organizing and keeping tab on
the legislative candidates and the Or
ganization will make a strong effort to
have the right kind of a legislature
a1apf66