The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-17
Mr.. PETER SELLS OUT
Disposes of the Advocate to
George B. Harrison,
Son of Ex-MayOr Harris on of
This City,
Who Will Conduct it as an Independ-
ent Free Silver Weekly-Senator
PETER to Continue His Maya
zine Work.

The Topeka Advocate, the oldest re-
form paper in Kansas, established in
the early days of the Farmers Alliance
by DR.. S. NcLalIin, deceased, and at
present the official state paper, has
been sold to George B. Harrison & Co,
and ex-United States Senator William
A. PETER retires today.
Some months ago George Harrison,
who is a son of ex-Mayor Col. T. w.
Harrison of this city, established the
Kansas News. This will be consolida-
ted with the Advocate and the new
publication will be the Topeka Advo-
cate and News.
George Harrison who was educated
at Ann Arbor will have charge of the
paper but his father will devote what
ever time he can spare to the publica-
ton. ]. W. Morphy who has been with
the paper for three years, and who
managed it during the absence of Sen
atOr PETER in Washington, will con-
tinue his work with the new manage
ment. Mr. Morphy is a hustler and en-
joys a wide acquaintance in Kansas.
The price paid for the paper was 81
000 The consideration was SO, 900 but
Senator PETER reserved 81 600 worth of
accounts and matrial Among the news
paper men who are familiar with the
field occupied by the Advocate the
opinion prevails that the price was very
low. It is agreed by all that Col. Har-
risOn in purchasing the paper for his
son, secured a notable bargain.
The new publication will be absolute
ly independent in politics. but it will be
the especial champion of the rights of
labor unions and labOring men.
We will advocate measures of re-
form" said Colonel Harrison today
The paper will not represent any po-
litical party but we will make an eff
fort to publish a genuine newspaper.
Ie,I II
receive special consideration but the
paper will be subjected to no dictatiOn
from political bosses. It is owned ex-
clusiVely by my son and myself and we
will make a conscientious effort to Oc-
cupy the field which we have selected"
Colonel Harrison was elected mayor
of Topeka by the Republicans four
years ago. He is now an earnest
champion of free silver. He favors
radical reforms in some lines of the
present system of government. For
these reasons interesting developments
are expected to follow his securing con-
troll of the Advocate, although he will
refrain from taking up with any pOlit-
ical party.
Mr.. Peffer's retirement from the pa
per is regarded by some as a final de-
parture from political life, although he
disclaims such intention. His ideas
against fusion and other party cOnces-
sions to the opposition have been at
variance with the views of some of the
political manipulators for year or
more.
my future is not yet determined"
said Mr.. PETER today. II have a com
petent knowledge of two things. First,
practical farming. Second, newspaper
work. have been connected with the
latter so long that I would be lost with
out some kind of literary work to en-
gage my attention. I expect to con-
tinue my work for magazines which
has been quite exacting for several
years Further than that 1 have made
no plans"
''WilI you start a new paper?" in
quired the reporter.
My dear brother" said Mr. PETER
adapting the style of ad-
dress used by Mrs. Lease, that is a
subject I have never thought about I
have no plans of that kind. I have
simply sold the Advocate and beyond
what I have said concerning my maya
zine work there is nothing I can say
the future