The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-15
SEEMS A CLOSE FIGHT.
All Political Interest Centers
in the Sheriff Contest.
It is a Drawn Battle Between
s'Wets" and "Drys."
An Opportunity for the Prohibition
Sentiment of Shawnee County
to Go SQuarely on RECORD
Party Lines Not
Strong.

For the first time since the nomina-
lions for county offices have been made
some activity has appeared on the sur
face. The campaign might have been
what is termed a still hunt" to the
last if it had not been for the explosion
occasioned by the Fletcher Helms let
ter.
1t might be thought that there is but
one Office to be filed this fall-that OF
sheriff. The campaign managers and
the workers are talking about sheriff
and but little else. It is admitted that
if any one on the fusion ticket is elect
ed it viii be Kepley or Dransfield-
The one weak place-and it is very
weaken the Republican ticket, is that
of county commissioner for the city
ticket T. p. Rodgers ought not to be
a candidate for reelection. He came
very nearly losing the nomination as
it was, but slipped in through apathy
Ii he is elected. it viii be from the same
cause. He betrayed the county in the
sale of the bridge bonds. The COM
missioners absolutely gave away $500
of the county's money because they
would not walk up to the state house
and dispose of the bonds They employ
ed a middle man to do what they should
have done themselves There are
other reasons why Rodgers should not
ask for re-election-but the one above
given is enough to retire him The peo-
pie Of Topeka need an awakening on
this important office.
Chairman Gapper of the Republican
county central committee says that the
Republican candidate for sheriff. POr-
ter Cook, viii be elected by 1,500 ma
jOrity and he Will not run behind the
rest of the ticket Other conservative
Republicans place the figure some
what lower. Senator Sterne who is
one of the best political prophets in To-
peka says that Cook viii have a ma
jority of not less than 700 This being
an off year the vote viii probably be
light which is admittedly in Kepley's
favor.
A well known Republican politician
who does not wish to have his name
used said today: I place Cooks ma
JTity at about 800. I think that there
is grave danger in Understanding
Kepley's strength. He is positively
one of the best mixers I have ever
seen It is pretty hard to find man
who has not shaken hands with Bob
kepley. Then ne has with him one Of
the most persistent and best workers in
the cOunty-Bert Lucas. I would rath-
er have him working for me if 1 was
running for office than any one know
1t seems to me that there is q fight"
Porter Cook. the Republican nominee
is not losing any sleep or doing any
worrying He SAYS that he is conf
dent of election but refuses to say any
more than that about the campaign.
He went TO Leavenworth to attend the
reunion but returned TO Topeka yeSter-
day and is now watching things
Secretary John CLANCY of the Repub
lican county central committee while
taking a cheerful view of the situation
is making no wild claims. He says
that he is willing to admit that there
is a fight and that Cook will run behind
the ticket but he does not believe he
viii be defeated.
Mr.. Cook is especially strong in the
country said he in discussing the sit
uatiOn. Democrats and POpulistS have
come up here in the Headquarters to
tai hqT INT Il IN ff,
Cook and many have gone to him with
the same kind Of information. This is
especially true of the territory south of
But while Mr. Cook is especially
strong in the country he viii gain many
Z opulist votes in the city. l know of
seven opposition votes in my locality
that he Will get and appTehend that
the same rule will apply elsewhere in
the city"
Secretary Clancy was asked whether
he was able to tell how the Santa Fe
shop vote viii go.
Il am not able to make an estimate
now said he. but we are informed by
the members of the central committee
in that locality that While Kepley may
gain a few Republican votes he will
lose quite as many as he will gain.
do not fear anything like a landslide at
the shops but in a few days I will be
able to tell more about it.
There is no use in denying that
Kepley is making d strong fight and
Will gain some Republican votes. This
is owing to the fact that he is a good
mixer and is what is known as one Of
the boys People like him and will
vote for him and for that reason he
may get the votes of some Republicans
who do not agree with him on any
questions.
Taken as a whole the campaign is
in excellent shape With the rest of the
ticket outside of sheriff it is only a
question of majority but we are not
neglecting anything. It is to our in
terest to make the majority as large as
pOssib BILE.
THE only candidate of the opposition
who seems to be especially active is
Tom James the candidate for treasurer
and we have not been able to find any
place where he has workers out. He
seems to be doing everything himself
But our candidate is safe enough
Representative f. D. NcKeever said:
81 see no reason for thinking that Mr.
Cook viii be defeated He is a man of
good officer. ] believe that he will get
goo officer. I believe that he will get
the solid Republican vote"
L :. Ferry. eX-pOlice judge said:
Amy one who studies the situation
carefully viii come to the conclusion
that Cook viii be eltced. No one can
say anything against him. No Re
publican can give a good reason why
he should not vote for Cook He has
all the qualities that go to make up a
good officer and I think that people
know that and viii govern themselves
accordingly
A w. Dana said: Il believe that
Cook viii be elected but I am one of