The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-31
Mr.. LELAND,
LOOK OUT!
Some One Is After Your Polit-
zeal Scalp.
Mike Sutton Ambitious to Sue
ceed the Boss.
HAS AN OLD SCORE
Would Be SupremeIy Happy to
Down the Gear.
How He Hopes to Accomplish
That End.

There is a rumor in political circles
that NJ w. Sutton, internal revenue
collector for Kansas, has at the solicit
tation of some of his friends, about de-
cided to enter the race for delegate at
large to the national Republican con-
vention next year and for the position
as national committeeman from kan
sas. the latter place now being held by
Cyrus Leland and for which he is a
candidate for reelection.
While it cannot be stated positively
that Mr.. Sutton will do this. yet he is
now considering it, has talked it over
with some of his friends. many of
whom have already communicated the
plan to their political friends, prepara-
tory to beginning the battle.
It is not strange that Sutton and Le-
land should at this time be arrayed in
battle against each other. There is a
strong enmity between the two men
which originated at the convention in
Wichita in March, 1896 when delegates
to the national convention were being
elected by the Seventh district congress
siOnal convention. Since that time the
two men have hated each other and
Sutton has been waiting for a chance to
pay his debt to Leland which was Gre
ated by Sutton's defeat for delegate
from the Seventh district
Sutton had been making the cam
paign throughout the district and was
being congratulated upon having q
sure thing on the place which contained
no more than the empty honor of going
to st. Louis and assisting a convention.
almost unanimous, in the nomination Of
Mr. Mckinley.
When the various elements shaped
themselves for the contest the Leland
forces, headed by Mr.. Leland himself
took up Harry Bone, now assistant
United States attorney. placed him
against Sutton and elected him. Sutton
iS n al friH
particularly incensed at his defeat.
They too resented the interference by
Mr. Leland in their affairs.
At that time Mr.. Sutton was a sup
porter of J. R Burton Later he was
appointed internal revenue collector by
Senator Baker and he is now for Mr.
Baker for reelection.
The yearnIng to pay Mr. Leland in
his own coin has possessed Mr.. Sutton
and he now wants his friends to get
together and knock Leland out of the
national committee, which position ac-
cords to the pension agent great pres
tige among the powerful politicians of
the east.
While Sutton's friends are making an
effort to keep their plans in the dark
until they are ready to go after Leland
in good shape. the indications now are
that Sutton will lead the fight against
Leland He and his friends will take
advantage of the sentiment against
Leland and make an effort to solidify
the various elements of the party in IA
vOr Of a new man for national COM
mitteeman. that man to be the venera-
BILE Mike Sutton
Some effort has been made to bring
the state administration into this fight
but those who have been approached
on the proposition have declined to mix
up in it. A friend of Governor Stan
ley said today to a Journal reporter:
The governor will take no part in
these fights He will retain the friend
ship of the various elements of the par
ty by permitting them to settle their
own differences and his influence Will
not be brought to bear upon any phases
of the controversies which are con-
stantly arising. Mr.. Stanley hopes to
maintain harmony in the party and be
re- elected by good majority