The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-04
POLITICAL GOSSIP.
CcontInued from First Pagel


solutely impossible for the fusionists to
make scarcely a respectable showing in
the next legislature. The fusionists
themselves, in fact, had little hope of
and there are big majoritieS against
them in both houses.
Until recently the Republican leaders
have believed that the fusion leaders
were only "bluffing" when they talked
about electing the legislature and ex-
pressed the belief that they would re-
elect Senator Harris. Now, however, a
few of them are beginning to have sus-
picions that the fusionists really have
sinister designs upon the lower house.
One of the best proofs of this they find
in looking over the list of Senator.
Harris campaign dates 1t is noticed
that many Of them are in close counties
in the western part of the state-places
where he will have to make hard drives
overland, probably in stormy weather.
to reach them. and where he will prob
ably have only small crowds at the best,
but where the votes will count for a
great deal when cast for legislative can
didates- 1t is argued that If Senator
Harris really has no hopes of reelection
he would make his campaign in the
larger towns and more populous towns
which are easier to reach and where
he would have larger crowds to hear
him
The Republicans who have made a
careful analysis of Senator Harris
campaign tour for the month of DC
NObCl oIC COilNlIcSu That ne IS really
making a campaign for reelection and
that he is after votes for legislative nom
inees.
Senator Harris was present at the re-
cent Democratic county convention in
Leavenworth county and the following
planks in the resolutions are credited to
him:
I'VE call attention to the remarkable
fact that while the leaders of the Re-
publican party are now protesting their
desire to curb and control the grasping
trusts, which. behind the wall of the
protective tariff are preying upon the
people. not a word was said nor a r
effort made. to obtain additional Ieg1s-
lation all through the long session of
congress, and only after the adjourn
ment of congress and the approach of
the election was this Dretense of patri-
otto desire Daraded before the public
We call attention to the fact that when
near the close of the Fifty-sixth con-
gress a bill having some relation to this
subject was passed by the Republican
house of representatives the ReDubli-
can senate, by an aye and nay vote, alb
solutely refused to take it up for con-
sideratiOn, and we assert that no hon
est effort in this direction can be ex-
pected or hoDed for from the Republi-
can party.
I'VE also call attention to the fact
that on February Is, 1902, the senate.
having under consideration the perma-
Ue0L census Dill. an amendment was OF
fered securing full and complete public
ity with regard to trusts, and the same
was rejected on an aye and nav vote
not a single Republican voting for it.
not alsingle Democrat voting against it,
We assert that the high protective tar
iff, confessedly no longer necessary for
the building UP of industries, is now the
mainstay and bulwark of the trust
combinat TONS That instead of this pol
icy, as it's earlier advocates contended.
ffr,1xr -fr,rr e.
cilities, developing competition and llti-
mately reducing the cost of manufac-
ture here below the cost abroad now
acts absolutely in the opposite direction
in every case"
If the fusionists should happen to get
control of the lower house of the leEis-
lature Sam 1 Hale, of Rush county. will
dispute the speakership with Webb Me
Nall Both have had legislative expert
ence as Republicans. Hale presided over
the Populist state convention and now
he thinks he would like to preside over
the legislature. 1t is predicted that
Hale will be elected over NJ. c. Hal,ett,
the Republican nominee.
The recent death of Judge Ellis calls
to the mind of one of his old-time
friends an incident Oe his race for con-
gress against William Baker a few
years ago. A friend of Judge Ellis ban
tered the Judge to bet on his election.
He told the judge that Baker would
beat him and offered to bet $40 on the
result.
No" said Judge Ellis. I won't bet,
but Ill put I'D a forfeit with you I'll
write on a slip what 1 think the result
will be and put it in an envelope with a
SO bill. You do the same. giving the
majority you think Baker will get over
me. We will put the envelopes here in
your safe until after election and the
man who comes nearest to the result
gets the money"
The other man assented and the slips
and money were duly deposited.
Baker was elected by about 1900 ma
Jority and the other man Immediately
claimed the money.
Lets just open the envelope and see
how much you beat me-" said Judge Ell
lis.
They did so. The other mans slip
read: Bakers majority will be 1000"
Ellis slip read: Baker will beat me by
1900"
Il guess I'll take the money said
Ellis.
By reading the Populist papers this
week one readily discovers that Conner
Davies has always really been a Re
publican and has only been playing at
being Populist.
Representative Cowherd, of Missouri.
has been making speeches for Congress-
man Jackson in the Third district the
past Week MI jackson is still con-
fined to his home with his broken leg.
If the legislature turns down Senator
Harris for reelection the coming win
ter, as it probably will, it would be the
proper and magnanimOus thing to do
for the legislature to pass a resolution
asking President Roosevelt to appoint
Senator Harris on the inter eanic
canal commission. No man in the
United States is better qualified for that
commission than Senator Harris and he
stands a good chance of appointment
simply because President Roosevelt
recognizes his merit. 1t is said that the
place will probably be worth about s1O,-
900 year and be good for twelve years.
There is q widespread interest in the
joint debate between the two leading
candidates for governor in this cam
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