The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-14
BADLY HANDICAPPED.
John e. Hessin, Rising Candi-
date for Governor,
Is ResubmissiOnist and Also
Attorney
For the American Book Company
(Trust)-On the Other Hand he
is a Deacon in the Methodist
Church and an Upright
Man.

JOAn Il. HeSSln OF Mammalian, 8
prominent candidate for the Republican
nomination for governor, is a deacon in
the Methodist church, a corporation
lawyer and resubmissionist. 1t is
not often that politician is found
staggering under such a. load, but Mr..
Hessin's appearance indicates that
fair degree of prosperity has attended
his efforts to worry along.
During the last session of the 1egis-
1ature Mr.. Hessin was violently op-
posed to the text book bill which sub
sequently became a law. The fight
took place principally in the house of
passed the senate. In that branch Mr..
Hessin talked and voted against the
measure. He opposed the bill because
he occupies the lucrative position OF
general attorney for the American
Book company in Kansas, the interests
of which were threa tened with deStruc-
ton by the provisions of the new law.
Again, in the legisla ture, Mr.. HesSin
was in favor of a constitutional conven-
ton, his main purpose being to secure
the resubmission of the prOhibitOry
amendment to the people. In defining
his attitude on this subject, Mr.. Hessin
said:
Il would be in favor of a constitu-
tiOna1 convention if it involved nothing
else but the resubmissiOn of the prohib-
itory amendment"
Mr. Hessin believes further that the
prohibition question should be removed
from politics, because, he says, through
the manipulation of the question in
political conventions and campaigns, all
beneficial results of the law are de-
Stroyed.
Mr.. Hessin said:
I'VE must get the prohibition ques-
ton out of politics. 1t has caused the
defeat of the Republican party num-
Der of times, and I for one am growing
tired of that sort of thing. So far as
I am concerned continued Mr.. Hessin,
Il am Disguised with the manner in
which that one element has contributed
to the defeat of the Republican ticket
for several years in this state and am
in favor of a constitutional convention
and resubnlission, if that is what it
means
In reference to the present methods,
which in some instances compel an en-
forcement of the law and in others per-
init the running of saloons, Mr.. HeSS1n
would adopt the system of high license
and local option. This would, in his
opinion, so shape conditions that each
city or municipality could regulate for
itself the liquor question.
Mr.. Eessin also believes that the
state should own and operate its own
printing plant; that the state printer
should be elected by a direct vote of
the people; that the state board of rail-
road commissioners should hold judi
cial authority from the legislature, and
that the commissioners themselves
should be elected by direct vote of
the people.
The Fifth district has two candidates
for state offices who live in adjoining
counties, Mr.. Hessin for governor and
George A. Clark, editor of the Junction
City Republican, for secretary of state.
1t is believed by politicians that Mr..
Clark is the candidate selected by the
machine for that place. This means
that the Republican machine is 'tagin"
Mr.. Hessin, which seems to be proven
by Mr.. Leland's support of Jack Harris
for governor. This plan also includes
the nomination of J. K. Cubbison for
congress in the Second district, both of
which were, however, dealt a severe
| blow by the turn of affairs against Mr..
Leland's manipulation in WyandOtte
| county last Saturday.
Mr.. Clark is a Shrewd politician. He
| is popular in the district, as is Mr.. Hes
| sin, and the struggle between them, the
result of which means the overthrow of
| one of them, will be watched with a
| great degree of interest by the politi-
| clans of all parties.
| Mr.. Hessin's first active connection
with politics began when he was elect
| ed Senator by Riley county Republic
| cans. He has always remained d
| worker and not an Office-seeker. Mr..
| Clark is pioneer in Republican coun-
| ellis and his association with the leaders
| for some years places him, so his friends
| claim, in a position strongly fortified
| against Mr.. HeSSin