The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-21
Independent Forces Plan to
Register Lukewarm Voters.
Figure That There Are 1900
They Should Have.
READY FOR THE WORK.
Organize Each Ward for
Thorough Canvass.
Admit That the Registration Is
Disappointing.

In a complete registration of the 1900
or more unregistered voters of Shawnee
county, the Independent managers rest
the hope for the election of their candi-
dates. For the purpose of manipulating
plans by which this thorough registra-
tion can be completed between now and
Friday, a meeting was held at the First
Christian church of this city Monday
evening. Arrangements were made to
appoint committees from every ward
and precinct of Topeka and every voting
precinct of the country to look into this
matter.
The meeting was assembled under call
of Rev. J. 7. Mcfarland, chairman OF
the Law Enforcement league the lead
erS OF the Independent campaign forces,
the committee of two hundred, and the
executive committee of the county GEN.
tral committee. DR.. M. r. Mitchell pre-
sided and w. H. Cowies was secretary.
The attendance was between 200 and
800, composed entirely of men.
w. H. Cowles and T. E. Stephens, for
merly secretary of the State Temper
ance union, were the chief speakers. Mr..
Cowles gave a resume of what had been
accom- plished during that part of the
campaign already passed. He said that
the work in the country had been con-
siderably hampered by unfavorable
weather; and in the difficult part Of the
| city it had been somewhat backward.
He believed, however, that there was
promising outlook for the candidates.
I'VE have had he continued, three,
four and five times as many meetings
as the other fellows: the attendance has
been three. four and five times as many
as theirs and the number of our speak
ers has been greater than they have
had. hear they are much discouraged
at the prospect. I heard of one Of the
meetings today at which there were only
IL in attendance. and four of those came
with Bert Lucas. The enthusiasm IS
all on our side.
But the matter of registration is a
- +1ora
fellows have all their forces registered.
and the light registration is ominous to
u.s."
Mr.. CowIes suggested that from the
county organization there be made dis
trict federations to see that the voters
register at once. to secure men and
teams for election day. and to see that
the election boards are properly organ
lied and the votes counted according to
the proper procedure
Mr.. Stephens report showed that the
number Of voters registered Monday
was about $500. He proposed that the
voters in attendance upon the meeting
be grouped according TO wards and pre-
cincts; that in every voting precinct a
chairman of a committee be appointed
to supervise the remainder of the cam
paign; and that a canvasser be appoint
ed. This canvasser should ascertain the
sentiment of every voter within the dis
trict which he shall have under his
jurisdiction; at every house he should
leave Stahl and StebbinS cards; and
each voter who is on the fence. he
should induce to climb down on the In
dependent side. He believed that the
duty of those attending the meeting was
so to organize themselves that they
might supplement the work of the Inde-
pendent central committee. Mr.. Steph-
ems report was adopted and the task
of calling off the precincts of each ward
was commenced At the call of the
J voting district number those present
from that locality stood while Secretary
|
these names the list of workers for the
fight which is to be Waged hotly between
now and Friday evening will be picked.
The assignment of these voters to
committees consumed the remaining
time, that being done in executive ses-
sion.