The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-07
LEWIS IN RACE.
New Factor Appears in Contest
for Mayor.
Issues a Straightforward State
ment of His Position.
ON BUSINESS PLATFORM
If Elected VIII Try to Make To-
peka Larger.
Expects to Be a Target for
MudslIRging.

. Frank A. Lewis, agent for the Pacific
Express, United States Express, and
Union Pacific railway. has announced
that he viii be a candiGNte for the Re-
publican nomination for mayor. and
makes the following public statement:
To the Editor of the state Journal
have consented to become a candi-
date for mayor after consultation with
a number of responsible business men,
who represent large commercial and
property interests in Topeka I believe
there is a vast majority OF the people
of this city who deem it inadvisable to
subordinate every material interest 10
the question of prohibition or its oppo-
site The city is growing rapidly, and
in order to facilitate this advancement
we ought to have d strictly business
administration. II elected mayor 1 will
use every effort to make Tooeka a
larger and more important commercial
center. We can reduce our taxes and
increase our population 80 per cent WITH
in two years if we viii all make the
proper effort. Your respectfully,
f. A. LEWIS.
Il think there's nothing more to be
said remarked Mr. Lewis as ne mn
ished writing the above and handed II
to reporter for the State journal
THAT explains my position. L am not
going to make my campaign on the old
lines. l do not profess to be the OH
cial dry candidate There are Two OF
them already. / expect to be called the
whisky candidate and to be a target
for anv amount of mud singing be-
lieve that I have a good chance 10 be
nominated on the straight issue OF
business-lile administration of To
peka's affairs"
1T is claimed that you are a Demo-
crat," suggested the state journal re-
II was Democrat until 1896. I then
realized that the Democratic party had
no future and represented no prin-
ciples that I cared to espouse. 1 voted
for President Mckinley and have
voted the straight HeppblicAsa ucket
at every election since that time
have attended the Republican primaries
and have always voted for the men
nominated at those primaries
Mr. Lewis is 42 years old, and has
lived in Topeka for 35 years. He was
born at Newburg, Ind. september ..
1860, and with his parents came to To
peka in 1867. For twenty years he has
been connected with the companies for
which he is now Topeka agent He IS
the secretary and treasurer of the To-
peka club.
The plan to nominate Mr.. Lewis was
made at a meeting last night after it
both W. c. Stephenson and w. F-Weber
would refuse to make the race. Some Of
the Wealthiest business men Of the city
attended this meeting. and they finally
succeeded in DeFsuading Mr.. Lewis to
allow his name to be used.
This morning a committee composed
Of W. A. l. Thompson, H. P. Dillon and
John E. Lord went to the Office Of
Chairman e r. Simon of the city cen
tral committee and paid the $50 assess
Dent.
BERGUNDTHAL HAS PAID IN.
All question about who will be- the
settled, for w. S Bergundthal this at
ternoon paid his $50 assessment. To &
reporter for the State Journal he said
The entrance of Nj Lewis III the
race does not change my plans in the
least / am going into this thing to win.
and / believe that I stand good show.
The three candidates are Frank Lewis
w. s. Bergundthal and J " T. Hughes
The entrance of Lewis into the race
VIII probably result III a formal indOrse-
ment of Hughes by the law and order
forces. A strong pressure will be
brought upon Mr.. Bergundthal to force
him off the track
There is q general belief that the
Democrats will indorse Lewis for the
place if he is nominated The fact that
Lewis was once a Democrat will help
him into their good graces- Lewis Will
no doubt be a very strong candidate.
When Charles K Holiday and John
Waters heard that their friend Franz
Lewis was to be candidate they imnle-
diately sent in an application for mem
bership in the Republican F'lambeau
club to show their good faith to the
Republican party Both Holiday and
Waters, who were formerly Democrats,
were converted to the faith of the fol-
lowers of Nast's elephant about the
same time as Col W. H. Rossingron.
Now they make public announcement.
OTHER CANDIDATES IN
The Republican campaign barrel is being
rapidly filed uD today by the rush OF
candidates to enter before 1t is too late
The entries close at p. m.
A. NJ Thomas paid in today as a candi
date for judge of the city court. He il
the sixth man to enter the race.
F. R. Kutz is a new candidate for coun.
Gilman in the First ward Kutz is an in.
surance man and was formerly schoo
teacher. He will oppose H W Euler, tbs
only other candidate
George Heil's assessment as member o.
the council was paid today by q frienC
with whom he had left the money.
George ". jackson viii this Afternoon
pay his assessment as candidate for mar
shai OF the city court.
T. F. Carver viii enter the race foi
member OF the board of education frolg
the Fourth ward. Ailt Stoker and h E
Valentine have also paid their assessment
for the place but Mr. Valentine statet
today that he would withdraw in favor o
Mr.. Carver.