The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-20
TR0UTMAN IN 1T.
Topeka Man Announces HisCan-
didacy For Governor.
Says He Has Thoroughly Can
vassed Situation.
GOOD CHANCE TO WIN.
Says He Has Not Been Identified
With Factions.
GOOD CHANCE TO WIN
Conceded That He Has Many
Elements of Strength.

For several months many Republi-
can papers over the state have been
saying nice things about James A.
Troutman, Topeka's ex-leutenant gov
ernor, and urging him to be a candi-
date for governor. Up to this time,
however. Mr.. Troutman has been only a
receptive" candidate. but today he
made up his mind to 60 actively into
the contest.
II have thoroughly canvassed the sit
uation over the state" Mr.. Troutman
said, land 1 believe from what I hear
from various sections that there is a
good chance to win. So have made w
my mind to go into the race. l have
never been closely allied with either
the Burton or the Leland faction and
therefore will not be fractional can
didate. am simply Republican can
didate."
1t cannot be denied that Mr.. Trout
man has a great many friends in all
parts of the state. He has the reputa-
ton of being an extremely vigorous
campaigner, and wherever he has made
speeches he has friends. He is given
state campaigns as being one of the
most effective speakers on the stump
in the state, and Kansas has some good
speakers.
This gives the First district at least
one candidate for governor, and there
are two others who are on the pos
sible' list. They are w. J. Bailey and
john Seaton. Politicians all over the
state have been anxiously waiting for
some sign from Mr.. Bailey for weeks,
but he has said nothing. 1t is now ex-
pected that he will make an announce
ment one way or the other on Kansas
Day. Until he does so the gubernato-
rial situation will be extremely unset
tied One side will not be sure whom
1t is for and the other side won't know
whom to fight.
The ma iority opinion among the poll
ticians with regard to Mr.. Bailey is that
he will be a candidate. This is not GER
tain. however. If Bailey goes into the
fight it is quite likely that Capt. John
Seaton, who nearly won the nomination
four years ago. will also be a candidate
Captain Seaton is boss buster" and
his candidacy would be quite likely to
kill off that of A. w. Smith. If SeatOn
stays out and Smith goes in, it will I'M
settle Frank Nelson about a third term.
because Smith would have to make a
fight on Nelson in the home county of
both. A lot of school men over the state
are waiting on Nelson, and If he
doesn't run there will probably be a
number of candidates for state superin-
tendent. All this is traceable back to
Bailey's decision.
Then if Bailey does not run much of
his strength would go to George Cole.
Consequently Cole doesn't know just
how much strength to count on until
he hears from Bailey, and he has not
yet said positively that he would run,
although the newspapers over the state
are booming him more than any other
one candidate.
The Burton people are still undecided
about a candidate since Richter's boom
does not seem to be making any great
progress. and they are letting things
drift awaiting Mr.. Bailey's announce
ment. They will be ''agin" Bailey If he
should run, and they don't want to line
up behind a man to fight Bailey with
when they may have to fight some one
else instead of Mr.. Bailey.
Then there is Troutman, of Shawnee,
and H. B. Miller of Usage, both of whom
will have considerable personal strength
and either of whom could easily develop
into a leading candidate by a single
turn of the political wheel.
In addition to these E. A. Enright, of
Wyandotte, is laying wires to be a
second choice" man, as Governor STAN
ley was four years ago, and he might
become a compromise candidate.
Henry Allen, of Ottawa, is also men
toned, and he is receiving a great deal
of favorable mention, but it is doubtful
if Allen would run against either Cole
of Bailey, and as one or the other, and
possibly both, will be candidates, the
possibility of Mr.. Allen running is
rather remote.
That's the sort of a mix-up there is on
the gubernatorial contest a. Rresent.
There are now three avowed candidates
for the place-Miller. Richter and
Troutman. The others are waiting to
hear from Mr.. Bailey. It's Bailey's
move next.