The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-20
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Republican Leaders Uneasy
About the Legislature.
Close Districts Where There
Are Complications.
TROUBLE STIRRED UP.
Senatorial Squabble May Lose
Leavenworth to Fusionists.
Other Localities Where Fight
Over Senator Hurts.

They will not acknowledge it publicly
but the fact remains that the Republi-
can leaders are beginning to realize
that there is great danger of losing
ground in the legislature. Reports from
over the state indicate that there will be
hard fights in legislative districts where
the Republicans had a sure thing two
years ago, and in some of the close dis
tricts which the Republicans carried
two years ago the fusionists will win
this year. On the other hand the Re-
publicans may take a few districts
away from the fusionists.
The fight in the Republican ranks over
the United States senatorship is one
reason for this danger in some districts
In others local conditions are the oriE-
cipal cause of detection in Republican
ranks.
A notable example of the presence of
danger to the Republicans is in the city
district in Atchison county where Cap
tain John Seaton has been elected to
the legislature almost without opposi-
ton for almost 20 years. This year Ba-
lie Waggener, who is recognized as one
of the strongest forces in Kansas, is op-
posing him and the chances are said to
be about even as to which will be elect
ed.
In Leavenworth county, too it is
feared that the fusionists may make a
gain. There are three districts in Leav-
enworth county and all three were car
rled by the Republicans two years ago
by majorities of 221. 155. and 236. The
fact that the national soldiers home
has been added to one of the districts
will make that Republican without a
doubt, but it will not affect the other
two. The Republican nominations have
not yet been made over there and it is
feared that the fight between Curtis and
the Anthonys has become SO bitter that
no matter which one wins in the con-
ho 70 sxxyil1 In a
legislative candidates at the polls.
In Wyandotte county there is one Re
publican district. one fusion district and
one doubtful. The doubtful one was
carried by the fusionists two years ago.
SO there is little danger of the Repub-
neans losing anything there unless
Craddock's popularity in Kansas City.
Kan, is sufficient to make change of
about $50 votes, which is not likely in a
legislative district.
The fate of Major J. B. Remington in
Miami county is pery doubtful It is
conceded that the Kelly faction in Mi
ami county. what there is of it, will
knife Remington, but Remington's
he will get enough Populist votes to
more than offset the Kelly crowd, and
that he will be elected. Two years ago
he was elected by just one majority.
There is rumor that even John
Francis, the veteran from Allen coun-
| ty, is in danger, although he was elect
| ed two years ago by 431 majority. Since
| that time about thousand new voters
have gone into Allen county. The most
of them are labOring men in the Smelt-
ers and other factories. and are men,
bers of labor unions. The fusionists
| have nominated strong union labor
| man against Francis. and the new vote
| is very uncertain quantity.
There is chance for the Republicans
| to make a gain over the fusionists in
| Bourbon county. The fusionists carried
| both districts two years ago by ajori-
| ties of 16 and "a, and it is quite likely
| Some time ago it was predicted that
! j. NJ. Nation would be defeated in
Neosho county, but now It is claimed
| have nominated a weak candidate and
| Nation is sure of election.
| In Usage county the Republicans had
majorities of only 33 and 50 two years
! ago, and now they are all torn up over
| the senatorial fight, but matters may
| be smoOthed out before election.
| The Republicans had majority of 81
in one Cherokee district and 80 and 131
| in the Montgomery county districts two
years ago. There is a chance this veal
| either to lose or increase these maj0ri-
| ties.
The Republicans hive a good show
for gaining one in Clay county because
! of split between the POpulists an6
Democrats The fusionists carried Clay
| before by 63 majority.
The Republicans have a good show
years ago of only AZ in Chase, 72 ir
| trict in Cowley They will probably
make gains in their majority in the
| latter district. however. because the
| Socialists are said to be making con-
| siderable inroads in the fusionists there
| with full Socialist county ticket
! Even Mcpherson county, which two
years ago gave the Republican candi.
date 555 majority, may this year elect
an independent. The Republican can
| didate is P. J. Gale, and the only can.
didate against him is an Independent
| candidate who has the support of ths
fusionists and a faction of Republican.
who are fighting Jim" Simpson.
| There are good many other countie:
| over the state where the margin i.
close on either side.
Wichita Eagle: When asked yester
! day what he intended to do when h,
| went back in January to join the stat,
law body, Senator James Tapp salt
with a very grave air that he meant t,
introduce very important measure ant
| would do his utmost to have it passed
One of his friends suggested the util
| ity and the great benefit that woult
| arise from such law and Senate
Tapp was Immediately struck with in
spired strength to see that the bill goe
through. 1t is to provide that all Kan
sas farmers shall either bury or burr
hogs that die of cholera. The com
plant now is that in many cases wher
a hog has died of the cholera he is lef
for the birds and dogs to drag aroun,
or devour. Thus the, disease spreads
The Seventh district Republican con
gressional committee will meet i
Wichita with Congressman Long mex
Tuesday and outline the balance of tn
campaign. fixing dates for Mr.. Long u
| until election time.
State Printer Morgan tells the follow
ing joke on two Seventh district states
railroad commissioner, and a. a Rich
| ards. of Wellington, were on a west