The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-05
HE HAS NO MANAGER.
Col. James SnOddy Writes a
Unique Letter to Leg :sIators.

Colonel Jim" Snoddy. of Pleasanton,
who some time ago entered himself IN
the race for United States senator. IS
not making his campaign with the aid
of any senatorial managers. field riders
or detectives. but is invoking the aid
of the United States postal system in
stead. Colonel Snoddy has not even
lined UP on the speakership proposition.
Instead he is sending out circular let
ter to the members of the legislature.
which IS as follows:
''Pleasanton, Kas.. January I, 1903
Dear Sir-One of the pleasant duties
which you, as member of the legisla-
ture of Kansas. will have to perform is
TO assist in the election of a United
States senator. Some time ago made
an announcement of my candidacy for
that place. 1 have not thought it proper
to 1mDortune members of the legislative
bodies uDOn that subject; and am aVerse
to entering into any combinations and
to Indulge in any bidding OF swapping
for votes; and to the maintenance of pc.
Hllcal Headquarters, which are always
of doubtful responsibility. and are a
Venal aIlurement to members of the leg
islature, and are a political bucket shop
for deals in votes and patronage. It
seems to me that such practices lack all
the clements of that exalted manliness
and unsullied patriotism which shOulQ
characterize each member of a body as
honorable as is the Kansas IegisIa ture,
ana 4 am sure that I do not want the
Office of United States senator which
has adhering to it the pollution of bar
gain and sale. and the more profigate
degradation Of introduction promises of
patronage. and the reDulsive OdOr of
base political mechanism.
Nor do 1 want to be the beneficiary
OF the victories, nor the inheritor of the
vices. Of any faction in the Republican
party whose self appointed leaders are
struggling for machine supremacy in
the politics of the state OF course. I
cannot conceive that any one of the
honorable gentlemen who compose the
Kansas Legislature would be a party to
moved to say what 1 have by the cur
rent and persistent daily and weekly re-
ports in the public press of the state. I
am of the belief, perhaps with vanity,
that, in the course of d long and siren
uous professional life which has ex-
tended over more than fOur-tenths of
century, and which has had to do with
the science of government, and without
the aid of a public salary, have reason
ably well qualified myself for the posi-
ton of United States senator. OF course
I concede that I am not a disinterested
judge in that matter. but my judgment
is honest nevertheless. My whole life of
manhood has been in Kansas In my
way. and to the full measure of my
ability, I have helped to build the state
and all of her institutions None have
suffered at my hands.
Some have been greatly benefited by
my endeavors, and now shed an attractive
glow upon our state. OF course these
duties were not performed by me for
the purpose of earning the position to
which I now aspire, or any other, but
may be looked to as a prophecy of
what might be expected of me should
I be commissioned to represent the
state in the United States senate.
1T may be needless for me to say
that I always have been, and am. a
Republican; and expect that I shall
ever continue to be a member of that
political organization which saved the
republic from destruction and which
has promoted the welfare of our peo-
pie beyond any parallel in history and
which has added a brilliant Iuster to
the civilization of the world
Trusting that you may find it con
sistent with your sense of duty to give
me your vote for United States senator,
I am your Obedient servant
"JAMES D. -SNODDY,,