The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-25
SIMPSON TALKS.
IrrepressibIe and InimitabIe
Jerry Gives His Views.
He Thinks Governor Stanley is
q Failure.
HIS OWN AMBITION.
Would Not Be Governor For
Love Nor Money.
OWN AMBITION.
Talks Disparagingly of General
Funston in Politics.

Ex-Congressman Jerry Simpson spent
Wednesday in Topeka. When asked if
he would be a candidate for governor
he turned suddenly upon the reporter
in response to this question and said:
Il would not accept the office of gov
ernor under any circumstances. I
would not take the office if the conven-
ton would nominate me and 1 could be
elected without leaving home. There
is too much trouble for man in that
office. 1 am a man of peace. 1 would
prefer always to hear the gentle bawl-
ing of the cattle on my farm to being
hauled out of bed at night by candi-
! dates for offices which might bestow.
! Seriously, I am not and will not be a
/ candidate for governor next year nor
in any subsequent year.
/ Asked if he would run for congress
in the Seventh district next year, Mr..
Simpson said: Il cannot answer that
question, because 1 do not know what
L Will do
What do your Republican friends
think of Governor Stanley?" asked the
reporter.
In Sedgwick county. where I have
been a good deal lately, the Repubh-
cans seem to be disappointed in Stan
ley. They express themselves as be-
official actions. They were confident
of Stanley's ability to lead the party
to higher and better things, but he
seems to have followed the example of
long line of similarly endowed prede-
ceSSOrS and has forgotten IN large
measure the men who made him gov
ernor and has conducted the office
along the lines of selfish craftsmanship
for his own benefit
Mr.. StanIey's record in office will not
re-elect him unless he soon takes some
radical steps in the interests of the peo-
pie. The governor has failed in many
things, but this is not a strange cOndi-
ton of affairs His work has not been
in this direction. He did not have pre-
vious training which fitted him to deal
with the people as their governor. I
say it with all respect, but the facts
are that practicing law and teaching
and running a Sunday school do not
qualify man to run the state. A man
must be great in mind and liberal in
spirit to take charge of this office. Gov
ernor Stanley as an individual inspires
confidence. AS a governor he is anus
ing.
THE defeat of the present admins
tration at the polls next year will be
brought about by the people who are
not bound to any political party. If
the Populists nominate a good man
and are wise in the preliminaries our
candidate will be elected. The people
want the best and are tired of gang
rule. Governor Stanley'S greatest mis-
to the Leland gang. The governor was
not nominated by the Republican party
to bring the greatest good to the great
est number of our people, but he was
selected with a view of service. The
politicians and not the people have the
controlling influence. Mr.. Stanley was
nominated at Hutchinson because the
men who were dealing out the offices
in the Republican party recognized in
him a plant tool, and call upon the
people of the state to witness the de-
NeIOnTaRnfS since the in
augurated and see that what I say is
the truth. The gang has ruled him
hand and mouth, and that is why the
governor has failed to meet the expec-
tations of his friends"
Discussing campaign issues, Mr.. Simp-
son said he believed the money Ques-
ton will be overlooked to a certain ex-
tent, although he said, '-it is of vital
Importance to the people. The main
issues will be the trusts. The Repub-
lican press of Kansas is making a fight
against the trusts, but before the next
national campaign is concluded, think
they will be switched off in this manner
of doing things. The Republican party
is manag ed from Washington by Han
ma, Elkins and Platt. They are all in
terested in trusts and they will permit
nothing to occur which will interfere
with the profits of the business in which
they are engaged.
I'm the Fifty-fourth congress Dock
cry of Missouri presented an amend
ment to the Dingley bill providing that
when a com animation or trust was form
ed to raise the price of a product the
president might remove the duty on
similar products coming from other
countries. Every Republican in con-
gress voted against this resolution.
When the Republicans begin talking
about antitrust legislation I like to
remind them that trusts are the result
of Republican legislation. The Repub-
lican press will preach antitrust doc
trine now hut like they did on the
money question, will fall into line to
continue fostering the trusts next
year"
Referring to Populist possibilities for
governor in Kansas Mr. Simpson said:
Il think John Breidenthal has more ad-
vantages than any man in the state,
but I do not know whether he will en-
ter the race. w. D. Vincent of Clay
Center. a clean, honest and capable
man. would also make a good candi-
date"
Speaking of the suggestion that Fred
Funston be a candidate for governor,
Simpson said: Il do not want to detract
one single bit of glory from the gallant
record this man has made as fighter,
but I do say that to become candidate
for governor in Kansas a man should
at least have some ability. Mr.. Fun
stOn IS not capable. He might imagine
that because he is the son of his father
he is really statesman, but the father
of the boy could only make noise. He
is not a great man-not half so big
he imagines he is. I remember one
time the Boston admirers of John L.
gress. His principal qualification was
that he could bruise the nose of the
best fighter in the world Mentally he
was deficient in every respect L have
not said there is a parallel in Kansas,
but the comparison is not altogether