The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-07
That Is Attitude of RepubIi-
cans Toward Bailey.
Fixers Want to Know What He
Is Going to Do.
HE is SAYING LITTLE.
Many Think His Eye Is Again
on Congress.
Seventh DistrictDOesn't Take to
Smiths Candidacy.

There is an enigma which is puzzling
Kansas politicians just now-Repubh
can politicians. 1t is seriously interfer-
ing with the concentration of political
forces and influences. Until it is an
swered lot of fellows are keeping still
and are not hurrahing for anybody.
The enigma is this:
What will Bailey do?
The man who will answer that with
out delay will confer favor on a good
many politicians who do not know who
they are for at present 1t will clear
the political atmosphere and allow sew
eral booms to become more or less set
tied.
A considerable number of people are
not expressing themselves in favor Of
any candidate for governor for the rea-
son that if Mr.. Bailey becomes a can
didate they want to support him. They
doubtless have their minds made up
whom they will support if Bailey does
not get into the race, but they will not
say who it will be.
Meanwhile Mr.. Bailey is busy hooking
after his gusher down in Texas. He Is
giving no sign as to what he proposes
to do in Kansas politics. He may be-
come a candidate for governor, and ne
may not. There is no doubt but what
he would prefer to go back to congress
from the First district, but other moves
must be made on the political checker
board before that will be possible. Con-
gresham Curtis will either have to be-
come a United States senator or else
not stand for reelection as congress-
man.
The chances are even that Mr. Bailey
will bide his time for the congressional
race and will not run for governor. lie
would be stronger as he is at present
than he would be If he went into the
gubernatorial fight and was defeated.
In the meantime a lot of his friends
are waiting his decision before tying
up with any other candidate. After Er.
Bailey they win probably know who
they are for. 1t will also help out the
fellows who will be opposed to Bailey,
for they will be more certain what to
do.
In discussing the situation a Seventh
district leader said today:
IF Bailey comes out the Seventh dis-
trict will be for him So we would ike
to know what he is going to do. If he
isn't candidate we may be for Jim
Troutman, or we may be for Cole-per-
haps we will divide our forces between
the two.
cat any rate the Seventh district will
not be for A. w Smith, Smith doesn't
stand very well in the Seventh district,
even if it is his home. He openly bolted
Congressman Long one year, and Sew
enth district Republicans have not for
gotten it."
The friends of Mr.. Cole would also
like to know what Mr.. Bailey proposes
to do. If he stays out of the race Mir.
Cole will get lot of strength he will
not get IL Bailey is a candidate. Cole
has a lot of friends who would not be
for Bailey anyway on the start, so that
Bailey's candidacy would simply com
plicate matters.
Then James A. Troutman Is keeping
quiet pending Mr.. Bailey's announce
ment of intentions. 1t would hardly do
for two First district men to run for
governor and BaileV's silence rather
ties up Troutman'S candidacy
Several dates have been set by the
politicians for Mr.. Bailey to tell what
he proposes to do, but he has set no
time himself. Just now he is expected
to declare himself on Kansas day. jan
uary 20.