The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-02
Baker and Burton Forces Con-
test over Chairman.
Albaugh the Candidate of ForH
mer, Simpson of Latter.
AN IMPORTANT PLACE.
Much Prestige Goes With Posi-
tiOn of Chairman.
Both Candidates Have Had Ex-
perience at the Helm.

The contest for chairman OF the Re
publican state central committee which
will probably be settled at the state
convention two weeks from today, if
not then on the day following or very
soon thereafter, has narrowed down at
this time to two men; Morton Albaugh,
the present chairman and J. NJ. Simp-
son of Mcpherson, who held the posi-
ton some years ago when A. w. Smith
was a candidate for governor on the Re
publican ticket.
& The senatorial contest enters into this
craftsmanship race because the friends
of ]. r. Burton are lined up on the side
of Simpson; the Baker, supporters are
for Albaugh'S reelection.
The method of the selection of the
chairman has not been fully decided but
the custom has been for the nominees
on the state ticket to name the head of
the committee, the governor by cour-
tesy, usually having the principal say.
The importance of the office of chair
man is something which the most peace
loving politician regards in its true light
in a presidential year 1t commands
prestige which does not attach to any
other office. The candidates on the
state ticket are cared for by the state
convention; the candidates for senator
are disposed of by the Legislature; so the
man who is chairman of the state COM
mittee is an important figure and has,
generally speaking, a clear field when
he wants office. And, chairman of state
committees usually want office. 1t has
been so for several years past.
Last year which was an 'off-year,"
Mr.. Albaugh wanted office and he made
himself busy parcelling out the offices
under Governor Stanley as well. Unless
men suited AIbaugh they were not ap
pointed and he wanted to get on the
court of visitation but his reward came
when the Cross bank failed at Emporia
He was appointed receiver of the bank
in exchange for which he cut loose from
the Burton crowd and is now for Mr..
Bakers reelection.
Jim Simpson is a successful farmer
but he has a. desire for Office too. Hav-
ing been unable to land on the court of
visitation he now has his eye on a fed
eral job, the success of Mr.. Burton be-
ing the only contingency, and he re-
! Allies the Importance and aid the office
of chairman of the state committee in a
presidential year would bring to him.
The Burton managers now count on
! positive control of the state convention
and this hope is responsible for the sug-
| gestion that the state convention select
a chairman. The question of the selec-
ton of a. chairman, left to the state Of
fcers, it is feared. might be decided in
| favor of A1baugh because the officials
would not like to turn Albaugh down
| when he worked for their success in the
| campaign now nearly two years ago.
/ l6 CudlII1clu OF the state
| has almost absolute power in directing
a state campaign. His opinions rule the
| proceedings. The men whom he wants
| to put forward attain prominence; those
| who are not in favor yet full of ambi-
| ton are not permitted to get to the
! front. In the event of success the prom
inent ones are AL right but the chair
man, when failure comes, has many en-
/ emies confronting him.
Some of the men who were thus man
| aged in the last Can0naiQrTl ri
| ing to haunt the dreams of the chair
man. And, they are out after Mr.. Al.
baughs official scalp. They have join
ed the Burton forces on this PROPOSE.
ton and the Simpson cause has sup
porters which will not be found in tn,
Burton camp when the senatorial cleo
ton is at hand.
If Jim Simpson is elected chairman o
the state committee. Tom Kelly, who il
Frank Grimes assistant in the office O
the state treasurer, will be chosen sec
rotary. The plan is to remove Franz
Brown secretary Of the committee, WIN
as reward for his services in the las
campaign was appointed clerk of tn
federal court in this district.
If the convention names the chairman
Simpson will be chosen because tn
Burton forces will not precipitate thi
issue unless they are sure of a safe ma
jority. Gen. J. K. Hudson has been Sc
lected to make this fight, if it is to b
made, because Mr.. Hudson has bee
made a delegate to the state convention
for the purpose of leading the figh
against Mr.. Leland.
: Mr.. Hudson has managed the cam
paign against Mr.. Leland up to dat
and it is his ambition to make the is
sue on the floor of the state conventio
and he will have the coveted opportun
ity because the ominous silence whic
Leland is maintaining has resulted i
: soaring those who would like to haV
l the honor of downing the boss" int
2 silence. They are therefore, entirel
willing that Mr.. Hudson should max
the fight.