The Topeka state journal., 1902-04-03

influential Republicans, I consented to
be a candidate. Complications have
arisen whereby many of the Republican
leaders, who encouraged me, are sup
porting other candidates.
"A candidate for congress has been
sprung in my own county. Other can
didates for congress in my district
naturally think that I should persuade
the candidate from my own county to
withdraw, and if I should not. 1t would
result in a division of their county del
egations to the state convention on
governor.
THE Republicans of my own county
and my own congressional district. as
we'll as those of the state, have been
kind to me They have nominated me
four consecutive times for the same
office. This is an honor that never has
been bestowed on any other man in
Kansas and I appreciate this kindness
very much In fact, appreciate it too
much to now embarrass my friends for
1 am told that my candidacy embar-
rasses the aspirations of Seth Wells and
John c. Pollock for places on the state
ticket and of candidates for congress
in the Third district.
i am frank to say that I would like
to be governor of this great state.
believe that my knowledge of state
affairs and my acquaintance with the
state institutions is such that I could
give to the people of Kansas an ad-
ministration that would be an honor to
myself and a credit to the Republican
party and to the state. But. fully re-
aIzing the situation and not wishing
in any manner to embarrass my
friends, I withdraw from the race for
governor, and again thank those who
have manifested their willingness to
support me, and also thank the Repub-
lican party for what has been done for
me.
4 hope that the Republicans in the
Wichita convention on the 2Sth of May
MOI 1nf "a hnc N fFr he
leve that the Republican ticket in next
November viii be elected by at least
$4,000 majority, and no one in Kansas
is more ready and willing TO assist in
bringing this about than myself"
Mr.. Cole made one mistake in his race,
and that, with a combination of un-
favorable circumst stances. turned the
tide against him. Long before the holi-
days Cyrus Leland declared that Cole
was his choice for governor providing
Bailey did not become q candidate. But
he reserved the right tOSsUrpOrt Bailey
in case Bailey wanted tOGFun. Bailey
made no announcement of his inten-
tions until after the middle of January.
Neither did Cole, although it was under
stood that Cole was candidate. At
length Bailey announced himself and il
was understood that he would get the
support of the Leland element. Kansas
Day came soon after and with it came
a rumOr that Cole would not go into the
race. Cole heard it and made a positive
announcement of his candidacy. He
had assurances from a large number of
friends that he had everything in his
favor. 1t was not believed that either
the extreme Burton or Leland factions
could win and that one or the other
would be compelled to go to Cole.
But in an unfortunate moment Mr.
! Cole was persuaded to enter a combina-
] ton with Troutman and Richter to beat
! Bailey in Jackson county. This gave
rise to the syndicate story, and although
! Mr.. Cole probably carried the combine
no further, it set the Bailey people
Z against him and they had to fight back.
[ 1t was understood that the field" was
/ combined against Bailey and for several
weeks no candidate entered a denial of
i the syndicate. This was the mistake
/ One Of the most unfortunate circun-
stances that worked against Cole was
! the congressional fight in the Third dis
/ trict. Because Of this the congressional
/ convention was placed after the state
! convention. while in every other district
/ in the state the congressional conven-
tons were held early AS a consequence
/ the Third district counties which were
naturally for Cole, placed their eonven-
tions after those Of the other districts.
Bailey made an aggressive fight and
captured delegations right and left. The