The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-04-03
THE PARADE OVER.

Hypocrisy and effervescence on the one
hand have brought defeat to the head Of
the Republican ticket. Sincerity and
substantial merit have been given vic
tory on the other.
The waving plumes OF Colonel Hughes.
who rode at the head Of the Republican
column as its gay cavalier. are dropped
and soiIed. His handsome cavalry boots
and dashing uniform We're marred and
disfigured IN Tuesdays battle.
Citizen Parker in the plain uniform Of
the successful trooper is the victor in
the election contest. He wore no feathers
in his hat and his shoes were not Of
patent leather.
The city Of Topeka is naturally Re
publican by $500 votes We now see the
remarkable outcome wherein the head Of
the Republican ticket is defeated and
the remainder OF the candidates elected
by handsome numbers. While the Re
publicans lost the mayoralty by eleven
votes, they secured the city attorney by
the overwhelming majority Of 2.S6S-
For a strong Republican city, Topeka
is wonderfully independent and results
at the polls show that a nomination at
the primary, no matter how overwhelm-
ing it may be. win not insure an objec-
tionable nominee the Office for which the
Republicans have entered him in the
race for the highest municipal honor.
Colonel Hughes was insincere.
He was made the candidate Of the
law and order league. so denominated-
This league knew that the protestations
and promises Of their candidate were not
in accord with his actions and reputa-
ton. He was not true to his convictions.
The law and order people were aware Of
this, and they chafed under his in
sistence. But his nomination was foisted
upon them and they contented them
selves with working for a principle, not
in harmony with the person. on the
plea that they would make him do their
bidding
The majority or the people of Topeka
have now repudiated hypocrisy Colonel
Hughes not long since admitted that he
was a resubmissionist, but he COM
PEELED the prohtbitionlsts to shoulder
him
Insineerity has been rebuked.
The business elements of the city Of
Topeka were afraid Of the colonel. They
did not believe him to be of the proper
timber for mayor. There was too much
show and tinsel about him. He was
not regarded a safe man for the place.
Many disbelieved in his promises tending
to the full municipal control Of the
waterworlzs. Mr.. Parker's sincerity on
the waterworks proposition was I'M
doubted. Hughes real position was re-
garded as questionable on this issue as
well as upon others
Mr.. Parker was elected by the Re
publicans. A great many of that party
who thought the race for Parker al
most a hopeless one, vet determined to
vote against the straight Republican
candidate, in an effort to reduce the ma
jority and thereby rebuke partisanship
and insincerity in local affairs.
The utmost effort was made by the
Republican politicians to whip the voters
into party lines. This in Topeka NUM-
cipaI contests has always been a diff
cult undertaking. Tariff and free trade.
expansion and anti-expansion and ma
tional policies and measures did not set
tie this election In Topeka.
Neither was it a victory for the ''wets-"
The overwhelming vote received by Mr..
Spencer who represents the strongest
sort OF temperance sentiment in this
community plainly shows this.
Many Topeka people, men and women.
strongly opposed to the joints and the
Illegal sale of liquor. voted yesterday for
Mr.. Parker because they believed him
the better temperance man OF the two.
Mr. Warner has received a large sized
vindication. Had he been the nominee
Of the Republicans it is generally beiiev-
ed he would have received the big natur-
al Republican majority.
While Col Hughes received a majority
Of the ballots cast by women. the returns
show that Mr. Parker received about
two-hfths OF that vote. The latter car
Red the woman vote in four precincts
zone Of the most gratifying incidents
of the election to me- said the newly
elected mayor today. rs that in my
own old precinct where lived 50 many.
many years until recently. the Fifth pre-
cinct Of the Second ward, I carried the
woman vote The Second precinct OF ne
Fourth ward also gave me its woman
vote. as did several other precincts"
The Republicans have again learned
bitter lesson. That in Topeka their can
didate must have ability. sincerity and
the confidence Of the people in addition
m 1,e8ns the nominee