The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-08
LEADERS ARE BUSY
KANSAS POLITICAL BOSSES PRE-
PAIRING FOR BATTLE

In the Republican Field 1t is Believed That
Senator Hessin is in the Lead, While
Chester Long 10 Said to Have a Big Fol-
lowing-The Last Leg islature and what
part IL VIII Have in Campaign Argu
ments This and Next Year-Briedenthai
End His Troubles Matters OF
Political Interest.
Topeka, Kas., Aug. The old adage
that did much service for Republican
speakers in the early days Of the ALI
ance-that the dry weather meant that
there would be short crop Of Republi-
can votes-las lost some of its strength
in the past year, for there was defeat
for that party in the face Of a good crop
OF corn and fair one OF wheat. 1t IS
put on duty again, however, and the
good wheat crop that the state has just
harvested is said by the Republican pap
ers to mean that there will be victory in
the county campaigns this fall. The fact
is, however. that there viii he no walk
away on any such ground and the astute
leaders are placing their dependence on
the more rational ground that there is
in the record of the recent legislature
ma terial for campaign thunder.
The fight will be made largely on the
record Of the respective counties repre-
sentatives at the session and it will have
70 combat the claim of the fusion forces
that while some of the laws were not
satisfactory there was much that was
good and was recognized by all the peo-
pie and that the silver forces must stand
together If they are to win again in the
state campaign of next year and n the
national battle OF 1900.
This plea is having its effect and in
many OF the counties fusion has been ar
ranged among the Democrats and the
Populists on the basis Of division of
the county officers. There are only four
principal county officers to elect this fall
-sheriff, register of deeds, county clerk
and treasurer. The counties where no
fusion has prevailed are few and the dis
sension seems to cut littale figure in the
state at large The result is that the
politics OF the state is in a very unsettled
condition and the talk Of the coming state
campaign is varied according to the To-
cality. The burden Of the ex-congress-
men who are trying to fix all the post
offices Is heavy one and as in almost
every instance there are some bitter dis
appointments these are famed by the
opposition D make showing Of Rapub-
lean rebellion.
The most interesting discussion among
the Republicans is who shall be the lead
er on the state ticket for next year, and
the booms Of several candidates have al
ready been put out. Probably the most
prominent Of those mentioned is Senator
John f. Hessin Of Manhattan. Mr.. Hes
SIN is lawyer and one of the old-tirners.
He was elected to the senate last wear
and was easily the leader of the Re-
publican side of the senate He Is not
only good talker but 5 quick at repair
tee and has a vast store of horse sense.
He demonstrated this in the work the
legislature and his judgment averted sew
eral conflicts that seemed about to cause
bad blood among the members of the I'D
per house. But Mr.. Hessin is not an
office-seeker and his utterances upon the
subject Of his nomination have been
very conservative. He said the other
day:
Il am not going into a scramble for
me place on the ticket. II is not worth
l. TO any man. If the factions of the
party can get together and they think
that / am the man for the place | am
willing TO try it and will make can
7 a
This attitude has been his constant re-
ply to all overtures. The objection rails
e. to MIN by some is that he is lawyer
and that the Populists will not Ike him
on that account. But 1t is recalled that
Governor Morrill, was elected, although
he was a banker and capitalist. and
the fact that the qualifications Of Mr..
Aessin on the stump are of the best wins
70 his many friendS Then. not since
Governor Harvey has the Fifth district
lad candidate for governor. end. Z *
urged ny those in this part Of the state.
be VIII doubtless have a united supnort
from the Fifth and Sixth districts if he
goes into the fight
Down in the Seventh district is another
formidable candidate He is Chester 7
Long. who defeated Jerry Simpson for
congress and was last fall ,nturn defeat |
ed by the sCckless statesman. Long "a |
very popular among the young rnen. He
Is one or them and when the paraies |
look place last fall he was always in the |
ranks Of the boys. Long. more than that. |
Is splendid campaigner and mis- ioinr |
debates with Simpson in that canvass
were among the gems of that states no. /
ltical oratory. He made a cool record /
In congress and il IS said that If he gets ,
IN the governors char there will he a /
new deal that will relegate TO the rear
the old crowd that has been bone OF
contention for many years Long him
self Is saying little but the work OF his
friends indicates that while ne refuses
70 talk. he is by no means averse Il try
ing FOR the important position. II not he
is likely 70 give Simpson another trial
and see IL the big Seventh is not willing
- change again.
In the last campaign Thomas A Pot
ter. one OF the leading farmers OF the
Fourth district. was prominent and Il
would not be surprising if he were II
come 10 the front again. He is wealthy
and has VIDE acquaintance. for he has
been az the head IF the state board OF
agriculture ana occupied many position.
Of prominence in agriculture affairs. I.
was then urged that he was an available
candidate because 81 his business and
that the people Of the state want farm
Pr for governor. These reasons ars likely
% be put forward again II ne enters the
race and with some force.
i; is noticeable that among the Renuo-
icans there : far less inclination 20
iaily with the money question than e.~~a
"a. q