The Topeka state journal., 1903-01-29
THEY LIKE IT.
Topeka City Officials Discuss the
"AtchisOn Plan.''
Mayor Parker Would Like to
See 1t Adopted.
HAVE LITTLE HOPE.
Don't Believe That It Can Be
Brought About.
HAVE LITTLE HOPE.
Republican and Democratic
Committees Meet Tonight.

All of the city officials read with in
terest the article repubIished in Wednes- /
days State Journal from the Atchison
Globe relative to the "Atchison plan
of nominating its city officials.
From what they said to a reporter for
the State Journal this morning it is
evident that they are in sympathy with
the plan, and are tired of the bitter po-
litlcal scrap which always characterized
a Topeka city election.
The "Atchison plan" is to have pub
lie meeting called by the city central
Democratic parties. and at that meeting
nominate a Municipal ticket" entirely
non-partisan in its character, in which
/ all factions are represented.
It's the best plan because politics have
no business in city affairs, and city at
fairs with politics in them have no busi-
ness.
This evening the Republican city CEN
4 trail committee and the Democratic city
/ central committee each holds a meet
ing at its respective hall The avowed
purpose of the meeting is to whet up the
/ knives and grind the axes in prepara-
tion for what promises to be the most
savage city election the town has ever
seen.
What sensation (of relief it would
make if the two committees would get
together and patch up truce; drop
the old fight, and put ticket In the
field which is pledged to no one policy,
but which will manage the affairs OF
! Topeka in the best possible manner for
the good of all concerned. But they
won't
Here is what Mayor Parker says
| about the "Atchison PLAN" 1T IS the
very best way there is to nominate
city ticket. It is what I have advocated
all the time. I say let the two factions,
parties, get together and pick out man
for mayor who represents no one ldesi'
but who is broad enough for everybody.
Knock out Hughes, and Bergundthal,
and Parker and Weber and Warner,
and put some new blood into the body
polite.
i sincerely believe that if this city
was divorced from politics we would
get out from under our floating debt of
$50 900 within two years. We could save
money on every one Of our departments,
and improve the departments at the
same time, but we can't do it so long
as politics interfere We could save
So. 600 a year in the health department
alone. It is a shame the way money is
wasted in that department.
Mayor Orr, in AtchisOn. found Atch
ison with a debt of $4,000 for current
expenses. In two years he has can
celled that debt and the city has $4,000
surplus in its general revenue fund.
Atchison is being run without politics,
for the purpose of saving money The
mayor gets only 5000 a year, and the
councilmen have only nominal salary.
There Is no reason why Topeka should
not do the same.
But Topeka never viii do it. be
cause we have some people in this town
who are willing to sacrifice everything
else to the supremacy Of their idea
What Is termed the liberal element
would gladly agree to such a compro-
mise but the stubborn element called
the law and order forces would never
consent So there we are. If Hughes
had continued in the Office of mayor.
l believe that this city would now be
$4,000 in debt instead of only $4,000
OTHER CANDIDATES TALK
City Clerk SCuires City Attorney
Spencer and City Treasurer Hale, all Of
whom are candidates for reelection
We're asked this morning as to theis
. views in the matter.
Mr. Spencer said THAT scheme
+ wouldn't hurt us any We need some
business saSacity in the management
, of the citys business" Then Mr.. Spen-
Ger smiled a sarcastic smile. saying
wouldn't it work beautifully here,
though? Can't you imagine the Repub-
and the drys, all getting together in
, one hail. and placing in nomination with
one grand hurrah a combination ticket2
= It would be so easy to do; everybody
would be right in for it."
Mr.. Squires said. THE AtchisOn plan
would save a lot of work and save the
candidates a lot of money. too. If 1t
3 was left so the nominations could be
made by the meeting as a whole, AMI
not. simply have the meeting ratify q
slate fixed up by the two committees.
I don't believe that plan would suit me-
City Treasurer Hale said: THE plan
, is all right in theory. but it wouldn I
work in Topeka. No doubt it would
give Topeka what it needs. a good fnau-
cial administration. Mayor Orr cleaned
/ up the Atchison floating debt and that
C is what Topeka wants Just now"