The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-11
HARRIS BOOM.
Kansas Democrats Talk of Max
ing Him Governor.
names ". Orr, of AtchisOn,
Fathers the Movement.
THINKS THEY CAN WIN.
Says That Bailey Is Governor of
a Faction.
Believes Harris Most Available
Man in State.

It looks as though former United
States Senator w. A. Harris will have
a considerable boom for the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor. whether
he wants it or not A number of prom
inent Democratic politicians are urging
his nomination. and there is little doubt
but what Senator Harris is one of the
most popular men OF any party in
Kansas.
]. w. Orr mayor of Atchison and
general attorney for the Missouri Pa
cifc railway. has given out an inter
view giving Senator Harris boom an
. other shove, notwithstanding the SEN
ators recent statement that he is not
a candidate. Mr.. Orr's endorsement
probably will not have much weight
with that part of his party which is
putting up fight against the railroads
the former Populistic portion-but
Senator Harris himself is particularly
strong with that very class.
There will doubtless be other candi-.
dates for the nomination. however.
Senator Lee Wright. of Emporia, has
been mentioned. and there are a good
many old-time fusiOnistS who would
like to rally around Senator Harry Nc
MILAN, particularly since the latter has
been so active in the freight rate ques-
tion, taking a leading part in the re-
cent cattle rate hearing.
A conference of those who still call
themselves PopuliSts is scheduled to be
held at the ThrooD hotel on Thursday
of next week, and this may have some
bearing on the subject The question
of gubernatorial candidate will
doubtless be discussed, and if the Dem
ocrats viii agree to be good and nomi-
nate presidential and gubernatorial
candidates acceptable to the Populists,
there will probably be considerable SEN
Ilment In favor of a union with the
Democrats
Mr.. Orr's presidential ideas, however,
VIII not be acceptable to the PopulistS.
HIS choice for president is Grover
Cleveland He admits that the Demo-
Gratis have no possible show of carrying
Kansas, or any of the west, against
Roosevelt. but he thinks that Senator
Harris could defeat Governor Bailey for
reelection on account of the dissension
in the Republican ranks. He says:
Il am not going around the state
Q booming Mr.. Harris or mixing in poll
ties for anybody, but I see what is go
ing on and / believe Governor Bailey
and his cabinet are making a bad mess
Of it. This is not saying that 1 believe
Kansas has any intention of returning
10 Populism, fusion or anything of that
kind for / believe on national issues the
This is Roosevelt territorq. Roosevelt
is the prince of cowboys, and this is
cowboy country; we can't beat him
west OF the Missouri river.
But we can carry the state for gov
ernor over w. J. Bailey if we nominate
William a. Harris. Mr. Bailey has
caused a schism in his own party that
party lOyalists or party discipline cannot
overcome If his enemies are given half
chance to put their protest in the bal
lot box. He is the governor of a fac
ton, not of his party or of the state
Better stated, he has permitted himself
to be used by a few men who have it
in for the balance of the earth This, at
least, is what the people think, and the
people don't like that sort of rule. The
revolt Is growing. / can see it. So can
Bailey if he has any eyes, but l don't
think he has any. 1t is none of my
business. being a Democrat, but 1 can't
help seeing.
Mr.. Harris is the best man in the
state on the Democratic side. I will not
qualify 1t. He is the best man in the
state Tor governor or anything else in
the gift of the people. He was the best
man Kansas ever sent to Washington
Not so brilliant as Ingalls, or so thrifty
as some others. but he did things, did
things for his constituents, and when a
citizen OF the state called on him to per-
form he never asked his politics He
was respected on both sides of the SEN
ate chamber, and his record bears no
stain OF job or bargain. He is above
dishonesty-a politician of the old type
Here in Kansas we love him. He
ought to have been reelected last fall
but the tide was set toward Roosevelt
and many Republicans gave their votes
to their party legislative candidates
with reluctance. All classes of peopIe
trust him and men of all political creeds
respect him. In the Office of governor
he would rise above his predecessors as
q giant above pigmies. All fashions and
conditions of men would be given hear
ing in his office, and the end of it all
would be an administration to the glory
and dignity of Kansas"
Speaking of national affairs and the