The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-07
BOTH WIN IT.
CraddOck- Bailey Joint Debate
at Last Held.
Supporters Of Both Men Are APP
parentiy Satisfied.
EACH DEFEATS OTHER.
Bailey Men Think Craddock
Was Annihilated.
FusiOnists Insist That Their
Man Had Best of 1t.


Joint debate between w. J. Bailey and
W. H. Craddock, opposition candidates
for governor, resulted in manner that
pleased all concerned. The fusionists are
certain that abbey did not begin to an
swer the arguments of Craddock, while
the Republicans are equally certain
that nothing was left of Craddock when
Bailey got through with him. The af-
fair could not have had a more pleasant
ending had it been so planned.
The Wichita auditorium was packed
to hear the debate and many people
could not gain admittance. The Re
publicans had the north side OF the
main floor the fusionists the south side,
and the gallery was mixed. Many wom-
en- also occupied the gallery.
Out of town politicians here were
few and most of those present occupied
seats on the stage. Among the visiting
z. Cole, Harry J. Bone. A. A. Hubbard
of Rome Sheriff GanO of Medicine
Lodge, Warden Z. B. Jewett, J. w For
ney and Andy Richards of Wellington.
The fusion leaders present were: E. n.
Smith of ElDorado, Fred Close of Hays
City, Taylor Riddle of Marion, o. ].
Hackney of Wellington, Dan Hart of
Norton, J. B. Fugate of Newton, and J.
E. Wagner of LinwOod.
The appearance of each champion was
greeted with applause by his admirers.
Bailey came on the stage first, accom-
panied by his chairman. Judge T. B.
Wall, and followed by Cyrus Leland,
State Auditor Cole, Warden E. B. lew
EFT and other leading Republicans.
When Craddock appeared he was ac-
companied by his chairman, ". J. Babb,
and followed by S. B. Amidon. F. J.
Close, Dan Hart and others.
No valuable time was wasted with
music by the band" or other introduce
tory features. Judge Babb raped for
order. Then Judge Wall came forward
and stated the rules of the debate.
T9-sT -. e 7
he had chosen to let Craddock open the
debate. Craddock had an hour for his
first speech, then Bailey had an hour
and Is minutes in which to reply, and
Craddock had 20 minutes to close the
debate. In the debate at Topeka next
Monday night these conditions will be
reversed. Bailey will open and Grad
dock will be on the defensive.
Judge Babb then introduced Craddock
and the contest was on. Mr.. Craddock
surprised people who have not heard
him speak since he accepted the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor in this
same auditorium last May. Then it
was predicted that he would not make
a campaign speaker, and that he would
never be a match for Bailey or Trout
man, who were then the leading candi-
dates for the Republican nomination for
governor. But Craddock has greatly
improved. He is now easy before an
audience and is really a pleasing speak
er.
In beginning his address Mr. Grad
dock recalled the fact that q years ago
he came to Wichita to die, but a health
full climate and good fellowship enabled
him to begin the battle of life anew and
he had regained his health. Last May
in the auditorium where the debate
took place the Democratic state con-
vention had nominated him for COVER
nor and now he had come to meet the
Goliath of the Republican party. He
then said in part:
MR.. CRADDOCK'S SPEECH.
''It may be prudent for me to say to
this audience that I am of and from
the people, have never sought office or
occupied a higher station than mayor of
my own city, do not now and have never
posed as a statesman or an orator;
therefore I crave your indulgence for
my shortcomings. I believe I know
right from wrong and that when a man
means well he generally succeeds in do
ing well. Abuse is not argument
Our contention is that in a state
campaign the nominee for a state Office
should discuss state issues, and-that the
administration of state affairs is more
OF a business than political question
If this be true, the issue reduces itself
to the question of the ability and hon.
esty of the respective nominees. If the
equality of the opposing candidates is
admitted the people ouht then to
judge who among the office seekers arc
handicapped by association or environ
ment that will tend to prevent them
from doing their duty if elected tc
I'VE maintain that state officers arr
elected to execute state laws, and that
when a man accepts nomination from
his party he is morally obligated t.
stand on the platform made for him by
his party. and where the platform sets
out a state or national policy, or both
Its nominees are in honor bound to ex-
ecute the policy advocated in their plat
form, each nominee in his own Dartic
ular sphere, the state nominee in thost
pertaining to the state, and the nationa
nominee in those pertaining to the ma
ton
THE platform of the Wichita Repub,
lican convention strongly endorsed tn,
present state administration and Offered
no suggestion as to any change in tn
conduct of state affairs and it follow.
that where the present state administra
ton failed to uphold the law, or hat
Disseminated IN favor of one class O.
its citizens at the expense of anothe
class of its citizens, or had beer. grossl,
eXtraVagant in the expenditure of stat
funds, that its failures. abuses and ex
travagances met the approval of tn
party by receiving its UNQUALIFIED on
dorsement in convention assembled. am
that each candidate on that ticket i
morally and in honor bound pledged f,
follow in the footsteps of their prede
cessors in enforcing only such laws a
were enforced by them, in continuing tn
determinations made by them. and il
carrying on the extravagan expendi
lures made by them We cOncede tn
opposition candidates are honora bI
man, and as such they will not repu
date their friends, their party or it
platform.
I'VE charge the present state admin
istration with appropriating $1,215.116.5
more money in 1901-'O2 FOR state e5z
penses than was appropriated by Iced,
in 1S97'9S, the increase amounting Il
about 40 per cent or say IS. so for eac
voter in the state. and furthermore
that there were few if sny more .peopl
in Kansas during 1901-'02 than Their
were in 1S9S-'99; and that no valid rea
son can be given for the enormous in
crease in the expense of running tn
state government
ASSESSMENT OF RAILROADS.
I'VE claim that the railroad. teie