The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-11

TT is no use to cry over spilled milk
is an old and homely adages and it may
we'll be applied to the Republican pri-
mary on last Saturday. The state jour-
nal believed that Of the two candidates
James s. Warner was the most available
man for mayor Of Topeka, but the PEG
pie decided against him. ard that set
ties it.
The vote received by Col Hughes at
the primaries was 50 1arge5,1se out Of the
extraordinary total Of 1851. that his cleo
ton appears to be practically a foregone
conclusion. His victory j. due 20 the
fixed determination Of the law and or
der element to vote for the man agreed
upon as a matter OF principle; although
Mr.. Warner was a more fitting represen-
tative and Mr.. Hughes. recently an
avowed resubrnissi0nist. naturally can
didate for what has been called the
liberal" element Col Hughes cardI-
dacy was not readily accepted by the
law and order people. His past per-
formances did not suit them, but his
promises and fnsistence brought him
the endorsement They should now see
that with the opportunity he perform as
well the promises
The women are responsible for the
nomination of Hughes. and they gave
the old politicians a lesson in politics
which they Will remember Tor a Long
time The city had been thoroughly
canvassed ard lists made. 50 that the
women were ready to marshal their
forces no matter what the condition of
the weather might be. There were
enough carriages for every one. and
prominent women worked all day in the
rain, going from house to house and
oh
ready to vote for Hughes il they voted
at all.
There were high-handed methods used
at some Of the polling places. but the
women had nothing to do with them. The
Hughes strikers were not all labor1ng
under a burden OF their desire for fair
ness. but there was never a primary
election held where all the virtue was
on one side. Both sides undoubtedly did
things which were not according. to the
strict letter of law, and SO neither side
is justified in entering a complaint
Mr.. Warner should feel cOmplimented
at the large vote he received In spite
of the fact that an effort was made to
make the people believe that Mr. War
ner's support was made up of the worst
element in the city, some OF the strong
est temperance men and women and
some Of the most radical prohibitionists
supported him. If the issue had been
strictly wet and dry Mr.. Warner would
have been defeated by a much larger
majority. Mr.. Warner refused to permit
the use of liquor in his campaign He
made an effort to keep his campaign
above reproach, and his opponents were
not all so particular. Mr.. Warner re-
lied upon the temperance people Of the
u ~ -
liquor interests or to give them any en-
enlargement In spite of his position he
was subjected to a continual fire of
Islander. It was openly charged that he
was the candidate Of the joint inter
ests and he suffered accordingly.
Mr.. Warner is a successful business
man and an upright citizen His private
and public life Is above reproach. and
the result of the primary was in nowise
a personal rebuke. The women who
rallied to the Hughes banner did so be-
cause they believed they were support
ing a principle, and they cared nothing
for Hughes and were always ready to
apologize for him.
The result Of the election will be the
confirmation Of Frank Sta.hl as chief of
police. He has been endorsed at the
polls. for Mr. Warmers opposition to
Chief Of Police Stahl was the only thing
that the temperance people could urge
against his public record
Mr. Spencer. the candidate for city
attorney. received a. majority of over
Z. 400 which shows clearly that the line
was not drawn on the wet and dry issue.
Mr.. Spencer has always been a consist
ent temperance man. and the temper
ance people voted for him.
and order that would make ward
heller of years practice blush. which
simply affirms the statement. that the
virtue was not all to be found on one
side
lieved to be for the best interests OF the
city and II the question Vas to he re-