The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-26
WHAT THEY SAY.
Comments Of Burton Papers on
HOch's Action.


ing to be the candidate of the Burton
faction for governor is causing much
comment among the Burton news
papers. Here are some of them:
ALBAUGHS SUCCESSOR.
Topeka Capital: w. r. Stubs of
Lawrence is a ousy man, but not so
much SO that he does not take a deep
interest in state politics. His name has
been mentioned for chairman of the
state central committee; and if he will
serve, better head for the committee
would be hard to find.
KELLY AND MULVANE TO GET
BUSY.
Topeka Capital: Politicians on all
sides are pretty we'll satisfied with
Hoch's refusal to run for governor. His
cali was from the plain, common
Republicans, who recognized in him a
man who would not be run by any pO-
htical combine. 1t is up to this class
of Republicans now to control the local
primaries ard send their best men to
the state convention, to reorganize the
party organization.
A WHACK AT HOCH.
Lawrence Journal: The declination
OF MIR. Hoch as a candidate before the
Republican convention for the nominal
ton for governor was reported in last
evenings Journal and confirmed by the
morning papers. The Journal regards it
as an act of pertidy, a betrayal of that
large element of the part which opposed
had centered upon him and placed it's
reliance upon him as it's leader in the
struggle for reform in our party poll
tice. We prefer to think that Mr.. Hoch
has not been Influenced directly by i'm
proper motives, but has been led to this
step by pretended friends who have or
are to have the reward. In either case
he has shown himself unworthy of
trust and unfit for leadership. If Mr..
Hoch had made his declination at the
OJIfSHf he
slightest criticism or objection. But to
postpone such action until the cause he
pretendS to have so much at heart has
come to be dependent largely upon him
and then withdraw, is to all intents
and purposes, a betrayal of his friends
into the hands of the enemy, so far us
he is able to do SO. What the ultimate
result to the anti-machine revolt may
be of course depends upon the fidelity
and courage of the men who compose
it.
Lawrence Gazette: The action of E.
w Hoch in declaring that he will not
be a candidate for governor is embar-
RAISING to every man in Kansas who
favors honest government.
EMBARRASSING TO BURTON FAC
T1ON.
For months Hoch has practically
been a candidate, and his friends all
over the state have been organizing to
aid him in securing a nomination. The
looking to him to redeem the state
from misrule and dishonest politics. 1t
will be a deep Disappointment to them
to learn that he has weakened and
has refused to do the part he was call
ed upon to do.
Hoch has simply taken his friends
out on a limb, and then sawed the
limb off And he falls with his friends.
OF course, Hoch was forced to this,
and against his will. The shrewd man
ayers of the machine so hedged him
about that he found himself utterly
unable to move. But in all probability
he would have defied the machine, and
been a candidate anyway, had it not
been for the recognition of the machine
as the party in Kansas by President
Roosevelt.
FLING AT PRESIDENT.
Lawrence Gazette: When he turned
down the Kansas delegation at the be-
hest of Leland and Bailey, he served
notice on Kansas Republicans that any
man who opposed the machine in Kan
sas must oppose the national admins
tratiOn.
When that decree came, politicians
weakened. The machine became arro-
giant, and al once notified party workers
that any one who got in the way would
be run over Hoch would have been a
candidate had not President Roosevelt
given the seal of his personal and Off
cial approval to the Kansas Republican
machine But he feared to stand
against the government, bilQ AAC PAN-
ferred to let the machine have its way.
It is hardly time as yet to make any
predictions as to what the result will
be- Hoch was the only man the Re
publicans had upon whom to unite
With him out of the field the machine
will probably have it's own way, and
nominate its own members, turning
down at the convention all state officers
that have opposed it.
AS for Mr.. Hoch himself, of course
his act ends his political career. He
can never come before the people again
and hope to receive favors from them.
He has made himself an impossibility
in future Kansas politics.
WANTED BAILEY BEATEN BY AN
OTHER MAN.
Topeka Capital: Mr. Hoch's refusal
to become a candidate for governor is
disappointing, but not altogether sur
prising His personal inclination has
! always been against running. While
he believed that Governor Bailey ought
not to be renominated, he has Not
shared in the sentiment which pointed
to himself as the logical candidate to
oppose his renomina ton.
This decision deprives the anti-ma
chine movement of q leader and a RAJ
| lying point. 1t does not imply a sur