The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-08
ELRcTIoN oBsERvATIoNs.

6AGCI1OA OBSEE6 v AI4OHS.
From this papers position and view
point. there are many highly satisfac-
tory incidents in connection with the
city campaign just ended by the cleo
ton of W. S. Bergendthal to the Office
of mayor. The State Journal decided at
the outset, long before the primaries,
that Mr.. Bergundthal was the best man
of those in the race for the Office and
has calmly and quietly, without bitter
ness, used its best efforts towards Tues
days result.
Early in the active campaign the sur
face chances Of Bergundthal seemed
the poorest in the contest against
Hughes and Lewis Gradually how
ever, he gained ground with party and
people, overcoming all opposition. The
outcome has shown the wisdom of
campaign free from ugly personalities
and unwarranted attacks upon the
character of representative citizens, and
with a candidate above reproach in
ability and standing.
There has been less bad blood in this
campaign than in any municipal con-
test in the memory of the Oldest in
habitant. Less of our newspaper space
has been used in discussing the issues;
but enough was said. There was other
news in the city and country and it
was duly reported. There was an effort
toward brief and pointed and decent
politics; to say nothing before the pri-
maries and the election which would
sound bad afterwards. The campaign,
so far as our readers were concerned,
was so quiet that many thought there
would be a light vote and that interest
was strangely lacking. The end has
again demonstrated that still waters
run deep The total vote cast is the
largest ever polled in d contest for
mayor in this city.
This all shows that it IS well not to
pull a community by the ears. Mr..
Bergundthal's majority is so handsome
and so large and so we'll distributed
that he will feel the good and powerful
influences of a solid support; that he
may confidently proceed to carry out
the the law and order and the business
principles upon which his contest was
conducted.
The large majority given the school
bonds shows that the people of Topeka
are not to be scared by the cry of lin
creased taxes when money is absolute
ly needed to provide for more school
room and more advanced educational
facilities.
The overwhelming decision to pur-
chase the waterworks shows that the
level head of the people as a whole has
risen above the muddy and stormy wa
tiers which have agitated the lawyers
and the citizens of this community for
so many years in this sea of our trou-
BILE We have grasped a life buoy at
last and our feet will strike the shore.
1t shows that the people are tired of all
litigation and no results; of the unsuc-
cessful effort year after year to pro-
vide water for the dry districts; Of the
constant struggle for reasonable rates
without the attainment 1t means that
the people have taken hold of the whole
business with their own hands and
their own money and at last are going
to get what they have been going after
The election of Councilman Griley in
the Second ward shows that you cannot
keep a good man down in Topeka, re-
gardless of his politics. To be sure,
Mr.. Griley has differed on some issues
from the majority of the citizens, but
as whole he has made a good all
round councilman; he has commanded
the respect of his associates in the
council chamber. It is a good thing for
the city not to be too partisan and to
have good Democrats take part in its
affairs.
The new administration can adopt a
satisfactory and safe principle if it will
give a wholesome recognition to worthy
men in the various departments, re-
gardless of their political predictions
The masses of the citizens do not care
so much about a mans politics as for
his character and for his ability to per
form the duties of his position. Mr.
Bergundthal owes little to the ward
''hsslar.' much to the plain people.