The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-01
Increased Taxation Will Infiu-
ence Republican Convention.
Opposition to Action of Board
Will Crystalline.
MAY CENTER ON KELLY
Wells and Burrow Are Equally
Responsible, However.
kelly's Friends Will Probably
Retaliate on Bailey

Some time ago it was generally under
stood that the entire Republican state
ticket would be renominated without op-
position at the next Republican state
convention. The only fight expected
was on the election of delegates to the
national convention or possibly on mem
bers of the board of railroad commits
sioners, which will next year be nomi-
mated for the first time. In fact, Chair
man Morton Albaugh and other Re-
publican leaders have declared that the
entire ticket should be renominated
But recent events have undoubted-
ly changed the situation. None of the
leaders admit that there will be fight
next year. but one is undoubtedly COM
ing. The uproar which is being made
over the state over the action of the
! state board of equalization in raising
the state tax levy and increasing the
assessed valuations will make those re-
| sponsible for this action a big load on
/ the Republican state ticket if the party
! attempts to defend the action. 1t looks
now as though the real issue in the next
state convention will be whether the
party viii stand by and defend the un-
necessary increased tax levy or repudi-
ate it, and the fight will center ON the
denomination of Treasurer Kelly, and
perhaps on the other members, Burrow
and Wells. as well. Those who do not
believe in trying to defend the tax levy
j VIII oppose the denomination of Kelly.
/ heily,s friends on the other hand will
probably retaliate by fighting the re-
nomination of Governor Bailey.
Inc contest will therefore be as to
whether Bailey or Kelly will remain
on the state ticket. Whether any other
state officials will be involved in the
hght their future course will doubtless
determine Their attitude in the Kelly
contest will doubtless have much to do
with their political future
There is little doubt but what the next
campaign will be fought along taxation
lines-at least if the Republicans at
tempt to defend the increased tax levy
and this is what the Democrats are
put up no possible defense of the great
I increase in taxation. The taxpayers of
all parties are aroused in the counties
Which have suffered heavy increase in
= their assessed valuation in addition to
the increased tax levy, and it would take
a vast amount of explaining TO make
II clear that the increase was neces-
sary.
While none of the Republican leaders
/ have said that such fight is coming
there can be little doubt of it the way
/ matters are shaping. Chairman AL
baugh's charges against State Treasurer
Kelly can culminate in nothing else.
! While the charges were made in de-
fense of the appropriations made by
charged Kelly with increasing the tax
levy and assessed valuation for the
purpose of raising from a half million
to million of unnecessary state funds
for deposit in banks. After making such
a charge Chairman Albaugh could
scarcely defend the official against
whom he made the charge in a state
campaign, and if Mr.. Kelly should be
renominated the entire ticket would
have to bear the weight and defend his
action.
That the Democrats are depending ON
the denomination of all the Republican
state officers and are therefore prepar-
ling to make fight along taxation lines
lis evident. Claude Duval, who is one
of the strongest Democratic leaders in
the state, has declared for the renon-
ination of w. H Craddock on the DEM
ocratic ticket and for fight along
taxation lines. In an interview Mr..
Duval says:
Il say that Mr.. Craddock is the most
logical and available candidate, be-
lcause it is apparent that the fight in
| Kansas next year will be on the tax
alton question. Not only do the Demo-
Gratis assert this, but many of the Re-
publican papers insist that this will be
the issue Such papers as the Atchi-
son Globe and others are pointing to
the increased tax levy and saying that
the taxation question must be the Is
sue III the next state campaign For
once the Democrats agree with the Re
Kansas shall be one of taxation, and
aside from national issues altogether
Mr.. Craddock is on record on this issue
and is therefore the most available can
didate for the Democratic nomination.
With him as a candidate / believe we
can carry the state next year and
am for him, I repeat again, without
any second choice"
Only two lawyers live in Wallace county.
One of them, H G. Huriburt is county
! is register of the Colby land office Coun-
/ ty Attorney Hurlburt now proposes to re-
sign and move to California. Mr. Ward
can not hold his present position and be
| county attorney. too and as his present
job is worth several times what the other
would be, he cannot be appointed to the
vacancy 1t looks as though some one
who is not lawyer will have to be ap-
| pointed county attorney, yet under the
! bar except by passing an examination be
fore the committee appointed by the su-
preme court. As the district judge ap-
/ points a county attorney in case of va
cancy. the appointment will devolve upon
Judge James H. Reeder, IN whose district
Wallace county is
/ Representative Peck of Cloud county
recently had a narrow escape from drown
| ing while driving across country from
Ellis to Stockton He was driving and
| had his little son in the buggy with him.
| In fording the Saline the team went into
a sink hole. Mr. Peck clung to the. boy
and let the horses take care of them
shore.
Lawrence Gazette: The funniest thirg
about the whole political deal in the First
district is that if Judge Stuart should be
bunch. the papers that are abusing him
now and saying that he is not eligible,
raRe or hm 60 and 5 esnd @ agna
the arguments they are using now to tear
him down; # Billy Stuart should be nom
ike decent division of votes, Demo-