The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-16
DIFFICULT EoUEsrR1AN1sM.

1T would appear from an Associated
Press dispatch from Washington that
friends of Gov. Yates of Illinois, who is
being bitterly opposed by many Illinois
probably be defeated, have been en-
deavoring to get the help of the presi-
dent in stopping the fight.
1.-The dispatch says: President Roose-
welt declared to a party of Illinois Off
Gals and politicians who called on him
today that he would take no part, di-
rectly or indirectly in the political con-
test now being waged in that state.
The members of the party are support
ers of Governor Yates, and hope that
he may be renominated and reelected
The president, in addition to defining
his own position, does not expect that
federal officeholders in the state Will
participate actively in the contest, as
his position in respect to such activity
is pretty we'll understood
at is difficult to see how the presi-
dent could properly take any other at
titude than that of strict neutrality in
a local contest in any state. other than
his own state of New York. Whether
Illinois Republicans want Governor
Yates for another term is a matter
which concerns them exclusively: and
so the president evidently informed the
faction which called upon him for aid"
Topeka Capital, today.
Those having time these cold, short
mornings to read the Capital will recall
that a. few days since that paper an
nounced in big, bold. black head lines
at the top OF its topmost page that the
fight on Curtis is TO be stopped "by or
der of the president"
This was apparently just as pleasing
to the editor as the opposing order of
things commended this morning. This
is where our neighbours keen sense OF
humor comes in, but which requires
high coIors or diagrams to make ii
effective. The Capital has a programme
for the president to pursue in Kansas
and another one for him to follow in
illinois,
The president is fine horseman, buI
when he is expected to travel around
the political ring with one foot on an
Illinois PAGER and the other on a Kan
sas bronco the Capital, if it will play
the ringmaster, should not permit the
horses to go in opposite directions al
the same time.
The State Journal said. De-
cember 5: Some of the friends Of
Congressman Curtis seem to be very
active in an endeaYor to circulate {
story to the effect that the appointment
! Of Judge Pollock to be United States
| judge for the district of Kansas car
ried with it an understanding shat
there should be no fight on Charles Cur
tbs for denomination as congressman
from the First district. One paper Wen
so far as to put in big head lines thai
| it was by command of the president.
in quotations. that the fight on Curtis
should cease.
"Of course this is ridiculous, and tn
papers printing such matter ought t.
apologize for themselves, because tn
president does not mix up in contests il
| that way. Mr.. Curtis is entitled by hi
long service and position. on the way
and means committee to inportan
consideration, but to declare that tn
president is making Curtis fight hi
own is presumptious.'
Incidentally it might also be dues
toned what influence President Roose
velts expression concerning federal of
fceholders' mixing in the Illinois fight
will have on certain federal officeholder
in Kansas. 1t is a well known fact tina
| some of them are extremely active i
| fractional fights in Kansas.