The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-08

suit Of the present tour. which may be an
additional reason for his morbid view OF
At the Suggestion that it was quite a
jump from Indianapolis to Kansas in this
one day he was stirred to express an
a-as,'' he said. In his bored 'Lunnon''
drawl. And these western roads are so
dirty. doncherknow."
The Topeka reception committee that
City and enjoyed the distinguished ora
tors hospitality, was duly impressed by
the style in which they moved. The COM
mittee consisted OF Frank S. Thomas, ".
E Atchfson, J. s. Ensminger and D. H
Branaman. accompanied by a reporter for
the State Journal; State Chairman E. R.
Ridgely, Of the Peoples party. also greet
ed Mr.. Cochran at Kansas City and went
on to Olathe on business. The escortine
party was further augmented at Kansas
City by George Locke, vice president OF
the state Democratic COMMITTEES and w
/ Miller OF Topeka
Coming up from Kansas City on his
elegant private car. Bourke Cochran
gave a free expression Of his personal
opinions to a State Journal reporter.
he made il very plain that he believes
IN independence of thought and action,
and that it is his political creed to sup
port the man whom he considers advo-
Gates the right and the party that ad-
vances right principles.
THE Independent voter decides the
that year after year the percentage Of
people who weigh issues on merits is
becoming larger and larger. This class
Of ballots viii settle the election
am not an Independent voter. He has
no party am a believer in parties;
but Independent in my choice of sides
Either one party or the other will do.
according to the issues and which ever
one champions the right principles on
the issues that are before them
When it was suggested that he had
changed political front, he said: mo,
I have not changed, it is Mr.. Mckinley
hof oh Is i'm,
of the preservation of the republic"
Then to you the chief issue Of this
campaign Is that?"
Imperialism is the one issue"
Are not trusts an issue 2''
mo. believe the regulation Of trusts
will come naturally through discussion.
I do believe, though, that Mr.. Bryan
will deal with the question honestly and
fairly, and I also believe that the Re
publicans will not do So"
why are you a Democrat this year,
Mr.. Cockran?"
Because in the history of politics no
party ever before asked to be supported
on the ground of their inhdelity,
rather than their fidelity to principles"
In the event of Mr.. Bryan's election,
would he change the financial policy
and inaugurate a silver basis do you
think?''
'sThe financial question is settled. for
a time at least; 1 do not think So"
How about Secretary Cages out
line?''
''ImpossibleI MI. Gage himself said
so in July"
His warning then was a."
Asked for his opinion upon the pre-
vailing apathy that marks the present
campaign, Mr.. Cochran said:
Generally speaking, the apathy Of
the campaign argues for Democratic
success. In a year Of that kind you
want to look out for a tidal wave. With
a light vote polled one party or the
other viii run far ahead. The heavier
the vote is the closer the result has
been my observation in the past In
"a and '92 there was a light vote cast
in the Cleveland tidal waves; in the
closer elections Of 'SS and 's6, after
feverish campaigns, a heavier vote was
brought OUT
Concerning the two candidates per-
Sonally," Mr.. Cochran made answer TO
another Interrogation, both are fine
types of American manhood The
amiability Of Mr.. Mckinley throws him
much in the way of other men and sub
jects him TO influences that govern him.
Mr.. Bryan's characteristic Is hrmness,
and he governs his Influences"
What do you find offensive In the
opposition ticSet?'
TT is mt so much the ticket as the
platform the principles II enuncl ssle
are so un-American and most ofren-
siVe.''
what can you say OF your tour thus
far?'
Inc most SIdLllElL5 lcdtluIC u MY
trip has been the large gatherings every
where and the enthusiasm manifested
in the meetings to hear the issues dis
cussed. There have been many Repuo-
licans out to them. also, I am told.
Mr. Cochran said he would meet MI
Bryan again in New York city on the
27th of this month when they jointly
address the big meeting Of the Atlantic
League of Democratic clubs. At the time
of the preceding monster demonstration
in Madison Square Garden, on the 10TH,
he expects to be in the west still with
his present tour uncompleted- He had
been announced as one Of the speakers
of this meeting, along with Bryan, Stew
enson and Webster Davis. 1t had been
looked upon as an evidence of the hatch
ct having been buried with Tammany.
His absence from this event may be
viewed as an evidence Of no recOnciiia-
ton having been affected.
This view was expressed to Mr.. Cock
ran in the interview, but he denied that
there was a lack of harmony existing.
He said he had a quarrel with no one,
that he was in the hands Of the Demo-
cratic national committee and was
ready to go wherever they sent him, as
he was now doing
A NC