The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-02-27
TWO CENTS.
RESULT OF THE PRIMARY.

The Journal congratulates the citi-
gems of Topeka on the splendid victory
achieved at the polls on Saturday. 1t
was battle openly fought on one issue
and the people have spoken. 1t is pro-
bable that the managers of the cam
paign for the opposition had other
things than the waterworks before them
but the great and overpowering issue
was the waterworks question.
The friends OF the water company
were all arrayed on one side and the
voters who believe in municipal owner
ship of the plant on the other. There
can no longer be any doubt about the
sentiment of the people on that ques-
tion. Mr.. Brooks friends and Mr..
Brooks himself asserted that he was in
favor of municipal ownership of the
water system but the fact that he was
brought out by people who have fought
the battle of the waterworks company
made the people suspicious and some OF
his early statements were, to say the
least, injudicious.
This has not been a personal fight.
1t was a campaign of issues and not a
contest between men. Nothing can be
said against Frank Brooks personally.
His reputation has never been sullied
and the Journal has only words of SYM
pathy for him. He may have been mis-
guided by his political managers but
the best of men make mistakes.
The result of the primary is a mag
nificent endorsement of Mayor Fellows
and the city administration. 1t shows
palmer than words that the people ap-
prove of the course of the mayor and
council, especially with reference to the
waterworks question. The progressive
business like methods of the city ad-
ministration have been approved and
Mayor Fellows should retire from Of
flee without a single regret.
The good women of Topeka can not
receive too much credit. When ladies
will walk blocks through a binding rain
to cast their ballots for the welfare OF
the city it is conclusive proof that no
mistake was made when the legislature
of the state gave women the right OF
suffrage in municipal affairs. The in
terest, of the city will never suffer as
long as the women have the right to
vote and will exercise that privilege.
The nomination of Charles j. Drew
for mayor should receive the endorse
ment of every good citizen without re-
gard to politics. He is one of the old
| est residents of Topeka and there IS
not single flaw in his character Dur
ing his four years term in the city
council there never has been a time
when he did not stand up and champion
the cause of the people. He has stood
| in the way of corporate greed and no
| safer man was ever nominated Ior
mayor of any city.
If this troublesome waterworl-s quss-
| ton can be settled during Mr.. Drew 5
administration the people may rest as
| sured that their interests will be pro-
| tected. They may also feel satisfied that
he will use all his energies to dispose or
the vexing question in a way that VIII
place the water supply where it be-
| Iongs-in the hands of the city.
The abuse and vituperation that has
| been showered upon the Journal has no
effect upon the management of this pa
per- 1t was appreciated that the cam
paign was conducted through those
channels for the purpose of prejudicing
the voters and drawing their minds
from the main issue. The Journal does
not presume to be the political dictator
of any political party. 1t is satisfied to
champion the cause of the people and
when their interests are in jeopardy
there is no danger that it's voice will
be throttled.
The Journal is ready now as 1t always
has been to continue the work for the
good of Topeka and 1t respectfully in
vites the morning paper to join it in the
crusade. Let every one who believes in
Topeka unite and elect Mr.. Drew by a
unanimous vote at the election in April.