The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-21
Mr.. POTTER'S CANVASS.
J. ID. MiIIiken Presents His
Candidates Claims
Showing His Prospects to Be
Most Encouraging.
Points Out the Falsity of the State
ments Made by the Morrill, Mana
gers-Mr. Milliken Says Pot
ter Can Safely Rely on 100
Delegates Already.

Mcpherson. July 21.-Mr. J. D. Milf
ken, being asked by your correspondent
about the situation regarding Mr.Thos-
Potter's candidacy for governor, said:
The gubernatorial situation is in a
very satisfactory condition for Mr-Pot-
ter. All the other candidates had the
prestige of patronage and official posi-
ton, while Potter's candidacy rested
wholly upon it's merits. Without any
of these things, and not even the intlu-
ence of a single prominent politician,
his candidacy has developed to such
an extent as to make the other fellows
feel exceedingly nervous.
THE others started out a boom big
end first, but Potter grows as the can
vass progresses, and he will be far the
strongest man with the people when
the convention meets and think his
chances for nomination are better to-
day than any of the others. Not that
L think he will have the most delegates
on the first ballot, for he will be third
in the race; he has now close to 100
delegates and will win several of the
large counties yet to elect, and will
have more than so per cent of those
uninstructed.
The reason many of the counties
did not instruct, was that they were
opposed to Morrill,, but he had control
of the machine to such an extent that
his friends could prevent instructions.
They dare not attempt to instruct, and
send out StereOtyped dispatches '
county for Morrill, but when you read
down into the solid matter these
same dispatches disclose the truth
when they say, the convention by a
vote of Y to Al refused to instruct I
think TrOutman and Morrill, will have
about equal strength in the conven-
tiOn-abOut 2I5 to 300, possibly a little
mOre-each. Morrill, will have his full
strength on first ballot, and many of
the instructed delegates will desert
him the first opportunity. This will not
be so with any Of the others.
I think the Peters vote will be scat
tering, and his only hope will be that
one of the strong candidates may go to
him to defeat his stronger opponent.
All the other candidates have to start
out with an explanation or apology, and
must constantly defend. Not so with
Potter. His only weakness is not be-
ing known, but that is being rapidly
overcome AS his freedom from politi-
cal entan elements, staunch character,
general III around abilities location
and abiITey to unite all factions become
apparent, his chances brighten.
AS to the ridiculous estimates of
Governor MOrrilIs strength made by
some of his managers, I know it is
more or less hurtful with those not
posted, but it is already reacting. Even
POpulists cOncede their inability to
make figures compared with these.
The outcome in my judgment will be
this About tWO-hfthS of the cOnVen-
ton will be instructed, but most of the
delegates will go up with a patriotic
desire and conscientious determination
to look the ground over, and to select
the very best man for governor the
one who can unite all factions and in
terests and poll the largest vote. I be-
lieve they Will see that it is Mr.. Potter,
hence 1 think his chances are the best
of any candidate in the field