The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-12
MAYLEAvE CURTIS
Bnrton Strength Will Go to
Stanley.
This, Of Course, Only If Curtis
Can't Win.
GRIMES is SILENT.
Refuses to Say Whether the
RumOr Is True.
Senator's Friends Believe He
Holds Balance Of Power.

The politicians are discussing the
latest turn in the senatorial situation
which seems to be that the Burton.
forces supporting Congressman Curtis
will leave him at the proper time if they
see that he will not secure the election
and turn to Governor Stanley. The Bur-
ton forces believe that they hold the
balance of power in the contest for
Senator Harris seat at Washington.
This new turn in the situation is
given credence from the fact that Frank
Grimes has been quoted saying that
the Burton forces hold the balance Of
power and for the reason also that just
before Senator Burton started for
Hawaii he had two hours conference
with Governor Stanley behind closed
doors.
OF course Grimes denies making q
statement. He does not make an en-
phatic denial but he does not remem-
ber that he has made such a remark.
The remark together with the Burton
Stanley two hour conference and y 2 SEN
atorial situation at present gives credit
to the belief that the BurtOn-Curtis
ing events eliminate Curtis from all
chances of winning.
Stanley is the only strong candidate
for the toga who has no one to fight.
With the Burton-Curtis forces on one
side and the Long-Leland-Bailey faction
on the other Stanley stands between the
two fires unscorched with a general un-
derstanding that Mort Albaugh is for
him. Stanley mas OeGn making ISul-
cine and piling up considerable strength
without receiving the scars of battle
while the other factions have come out
of several contests badly shot up.
Stanley and Long had conference
some time ago. They gave it out that
they were friendly and that their friends
wer efriendly. Rumor had it then that
if Stanley could not win his strength
would go to Long and that in the event
Long won the governor would come in
for a diplomatic appointment If the
Long forces went over to Stanley the
Burton-Curtis forces would go else
where for there could be no such thing
as both going to Stanley.
With the Curtis-Burton forces strug-
Cling on one side and the LOng-Leland-
Bailey forces on the other there have
been many strange mixups; On ac.
count of the combinations there have
been representatives named who might
be friendly to some in both combinas-
tions, but who for other reasons did
not wish to line up with either faction:
They have avoided trouble and instead
of going over to either OF the contend
ing factions have kept a clear title to
friendship of all by announcing to their
friends. but not to Stanley. that they
statements have been made by many
in such a manner as not to be too bind
ing, but have been rumOred aboN
enough to keep the other factions quiet.
Curtis is hearing from his attitude at
the Wichita convention. His letters to
Kansas counties written from Wash
ington announcing that he was a can
didate for senator and therefore would
take no part in the fight for the guber-
material nomination left many of his
supporters to line up according to their
own wishes. Then when Curtis opened
his guns on Bailey at Wichita he placed
many persons who were friendly to him
in a ticklish situation.
Calderhead's announcement is not
looked upon with fear by any of the
other aspirants. They think that CAL
derhead got in the race simply to be in
fashion. He is not expected to have a
large following.
When asked if there was any truth in
the statement that he had stated that
the Burton forces held the balance OF
power and would desert Curtis and
name the senator If Curtis could not
win Frank Grimes said: II don't re-
member ever saying that"
When asked if he believed that the
Burton forces held the balance of power
he said:
IT don't know. but do believe that
the Republicans will have a large ma
| jority in the legislature. One thing is
noticeable to my mind, and that is that
each of the gentlemen aspiring to the
senate is working for the election of the
Republican legislators no matter who
| they may be for for senator, and that
| insures the election of a majority of
Republican legislators, and makes it
| certain that a Republican will succeed
| Mr.. Harris in the senate. Who it will
- r - 11 te>< ;r,D %,