The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-26
AN EASY VICTORY.
John w. Breidenthal's Indiffer-
ence Did Not Waiver.
Declined to Scramble" For the
Nomination
BY THE FUSIONISTS.
Prepared a Letter of Absolute
Withdrawal
Which Remains Unpublished in
His Desk.

John W. Breidentha1 did not attend
the Fort Scott convention because he
is, by this seeming indifference, sus-
when the honor of becoming a candi-
date, to capture a nomination already
assured, was thrust upon him.
At that time the incident of a small
meeting in the state library, the room
used as a private office by Mrs. Annie
/. Diggs, Mr.. Breidenthal declined to
make an effort for the nomination He
said:
THE opposition to my nomination
comes from my own party Some of
the pioneer Populists oppose me but the
Democrats are for me. 1 do not care
TO force myself upon any One-e1tner
as an individual or as a candidate"
This statement was made by Mr..
Breidenthal to a meeting of his friends
the minds of the politicians because
there is no similar incident on record
in Kansas politics.
The year J. w. Leedy was nominated
for governor many friends of Mr.. Brei-
denthal urged him to enter the race.
He declined but in the Legislature which
was elected along with Governor Leedy
he permitted the use of his name for
United States senator. He showed
much strength in that contest and af-
forwards practically retired from the
list of Office seekers
When Leedy was defeated for re-elec-
ton the boom which eliminated yes
terday at Fort Scott started for Brei-
denthal- The managers of his own
party turned to him but he resisted
their Establishments and positively
stated that he would not enter the race
This became an old story and acting
upon this understanding several as
pirants for the place started in the
race. Then the incidents, over which
RreidenthaI had no control, TRANSFERRED
The result made some bitter enemies for
Breidenthal in the party ranks, but the
tide was too strong and he was COM
PEELED to submit.
The publication by the State Journal
of the announcement that Breidentha1
was preparing a letter to decline fur
Their temptation in the direction of the
nomination, was mainly responsible for
Breidenthal's surrender to his friends
Much had been said and the news
papers had published as much more
concerning BreidenthaPs attitude.
Other candidates were getting into the
race and Breidenthal wanted to clear
the field giving the other men a chance,
so the bank commissioner reserved q
day to himself to get out this letter.
He told some of his confidential friends.
Then the State Journal heard of his
intentions and printed the statement
that Mr.. Breidenthal was preparing
letter Withdrawing from the race for
governor.
This brought the flood which kept
Breidenthal in the race. While he be-
IeVed, conscientiouSly that he was out
ROI-oAC&AANJ
aged his affairs, he was forced to con-
tinue to offer no obstacles to the work
already done by his friends
Jerry Simpson heard of the Journals
announcement and rushed to Topeka,
summOning on the way whoever he
could find, personally or by telegraph,
to meet him here. Monday morning.
following the publication of the an
nouncement concerning the proposed
letter on Saturday, Breidenthal had
nearly 500 letters from Journal read
ers. urging him to withhold the letter
of withdrawal.
Then Simpson and his cohorts ar
rived Prudential gave them no sat
isfaction in response to their demands
that he stay in the race. After days
work Simpson secured from Breidenthal
q promise to withhold the letter until
the following Monday. Then Simpson
sailed forth to stir up the workers to
bring influence to bear to prevent
BreidenthaFs declination.
Saturday following the publication a
great crowd of men from all parts of
the state landed in Topeka and con-
gregated in one of the offices set apart
for the state librarian. Breidenthal was
notified of a meeting in those offices
and asked to be present. He did not
know what was being done and yielded.
He stepped into a crowd of his friends
and the conference commenced. 1t
lasted for several hours, Breidenthal re-
fusing to give his consent to make the
race. In the end which came about
midnight, Breidenthal and the confer
ence" had come to an understanding.
He was to issue 10 letter of withdrawal
and practically placed himself in the
hands of the men who were there pres
ent.
Breidenthai from that moment as
sumed an attitude of indifference. He
refused to attend county conventions;
declined to make appointments with
politicians in various parts of the state
10 fix things" and labored faithfully
as bank commissioner, a fact which
the never-lagging work in the depart
rnent proves beyond question. When
looking after bank business he spent
no time talking about what a fine gov
ernor he thought he would make, but
discouraged all political conferences
He was polite to men who called upon
him to make plans but at time did
he spend the time of the state in plan
ming for his own elevation to office.
When Breidenthal was urged to go
to Fort Scott by some of his friends,
he said to them:
You, my friends, are running this
business. If you nominate me I'll &C
cept. If you elect me I'll serve to the
best of my ability. These things
pledge you, but I can not depart from
my original idea to refrain from max
ing a scramble for the honor"
Thus one Kansas man attains rec
ngnition without much personal effort.