The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-01
Gives His Side of the Speaker
ship Controversy.
Charges Curtis With SubOrdi-
mating All to His Ambition.
HAS FAITH IN PRINGLE
Thinks That He Would Be Fair
to Everyone.
Legislature Should Not Be Or
ganized for One Man.

One of the amusing things in connec-
ton with the speakership contest has
been the series of protests of unfriendly
newspapers because Governor-elect
Bailey expressed a preference in the
matter. Mr.. Bailey has been abused
solely because his choice was not the
candidate of his enemies.
The only thing Bailey had said was
that he thought the house ought TO be
organized along lines in harmony with
the incoming administration and along
lines which would place all the seha-
torial candidates on an equal fo0tlhs.
He said that J. I. Pringle would be sat
tsfactory TO him.
Mr.. Bailey has kept close by the bed
side of his dying father. but the news
paper attacks upon him have reached
him, and they have spurred him into
making a statement of the matter from
his standpoint. He says:
There is a studied effort on the part
of some newspapers to place me in
false position in reference to the speak,
ershiD fight. AS 1 am unable to leave
home at present to consult with the
members of the legislature. l deem il
just to myself to make this statement.
4 expressed myself favorably to the
candidacy of Mr.. Pringle for speaker OF
the house because 1 recognized the fact
that Mr. Pringle is a fairminded man
who is in accord with the idea that the
house of representatives should be OK
ganized in a manner friendly to the
state administration and not in the spe-
cial interests of any one senatorial call
didate. For several weeks prior to nay
expression in favor of Mr.. Pringle,
large portion of the combined forces
which opposed me most bitterly at
Wichita had been making a steadfa5E
effort to organize the legislature in the
interests of Mr.. Curtis for United States
senator. The interests of the fOrthcom-
ing Administration in the legislature are
fs-1~r
and 1 knew very well from the expert
ence of the past that the forces which
were endeavoring to organize the pres
ent house, if successful would subordi-
nate every interest in the legislature to
further the candidacy of one man for
United States senator. Those news
papers and those men who deny thar
there has been persistent purpose and
persistent effort to that end are either
lnslncere or very Obtuse- It is well
known fact that Mr.. Curtis has not hest
tated to advise his friends openly that
Mr.. Barker was his candidate Tor
speaker and that the organization would
be favorable to him for United States
senator.
AS governor-elect, my chief concern
at this hour is that there shall be moth
ing entering into the organization of the
legislature which shall hamper the
progressive legislation of the forthcom-
ing session. l have expressed myself ia
Vorably to Mr.. Pringle for no other rea-
son than that he would give fair consid
Grafton to all interests. No house or
ganizatiOn proceeding along factional
lines would work advantageOusly in
conserving the interests of the state,
and the people of this state are more
concerned in this than in any mans
political ambition. But after all. the
weight to be given to these considera-
lions is a matter which every member
elect must settle for himself 1 am glad
to know that a large number of the
11apr-
views have expressed upon this sub
Ject.
Mr.. Pringle is instructed for Mr.
Curtis for United States senator I am
told that he has had several interviews;
with Mr.. Curtis and that he delayed his
announcement a number of days Wllii,.
Mr.. Curtis was trying to decide what
attitude he would take in reference to
his candidacy Notwithstanding the fact
that Mr. Pr1ngle is instructed for Nh.
Curtis, he seems to be unsatisfactory
for the reason that Mr.. Curtis has de-
cided to support no man who will nor
regard his senatorial candidacy as
above all other interests. Judging this
situation from this standpoint as well
as from the bitter and unjust attacks
now being made upon me by the news
papers which represent Mr.. Curtis, no
one can doubt what the attitude of an
organization of the legislature created
by him would be toward my admins
tration
L am accused OF an improperly in
this matter. I certainly feel that it is
not improper for me to suggest that if
the members of the legislature see fit
to organize the house on broader line than
one mans ambition, the interests of all
senatorial candidates would be given
fair consideration, and the greater in
terests of the state and party would be
conserved thereby"
The total vote on governor in Kansas
was S716S. as determined by the official
count which was completed Saturday
evening. Bailey's plurality over Grad
dock was 1904. The vote was divided
as follows:
Republican, 159. 242.
Democratic III 14S.
Prohibition, 6.065.
Socialist, 4078.
Lathrop, Populist 635
The official canvass shows that Grad
dock carried six counties, Barton, De
catur Ellis. Lincoln, Rush and Thomas.
Two Of these are in the Seventh district
and the other four in the Sixth.
Kelly's plurality was 1868 less than,
Bailey's. He lost all the counties that
Bailey did and seven others-Anderson
Edwards, Greenwood, Johnson, Kearney
Linn and Miami. Four of these, Ander-
son. Johnson, Linn and Miami are
around his home. where he is best
known. The largest plurality against
him was in his home county Miami
which gave d plurality of 933 against
him, yet gave Bailey plurality of 125.
The vote by counties on governor and
state treasurer was as follows: