The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-10
THE PRIMARY rOMoRRow.


One OF the most important primaries
in the history of the city win be held to-
morrow. Naturally the contest centers
around the Office of mayor because Of
all the men to be selected as Republican
candidates he is the one who must bear
the burden of the city government-he
alone is responsible for the execution of
the ordinances Of the city
There are two candidates for the posi-
ton of honor on the Republican ticket
and so far as the two men are concern
ed nothing can be said about either man
which in any way reflects upon his per-
sonal integrity or his standard Of moral
ity. Frank Lewis has spent the greater
part of his life in Topeka and during
a great portion of the time he has held
semi-oficial position and there is no act
of his on record for which an apology
has ever been required The other can
didate, w. S. Bergundthal, is also an
CID citizen of Topeka. The only public
position he has held in that time has
been as councilman from the First
ward but his conduct in that position
has been such as to give the people con
hdence in his business ability and his
sense of Justice. He did more than any
other man to adjustth differences arising
from the purchase of a site for the new
Santa Fe shops and his vote in the
council has always been characterized
by the courage of a man who has the
best interests of the city at heart
Admitting that so far as the two men
are concerned conditions are nearly or
quite equal, it is essential that the
voter should look beyond the men to
the things for which they stand in this
primary. Mr.. Lewis has the support
of the jointists of the city as well as
many good citizens. The influence OF
every man who fattens on the viola
ton Of the prohibitory law Will be used
to help nominate him and no matter
how Mr.. Lewis may feel personally he
can not divorce himself from the fact
that he is the candidate of the men
who would have open saloons in To-
peka, Notwithstanding the law.
Mr.. Bergundthal on the other hand is
pledged to law enforcement. If elected
he will do all in his power to sup
press the joints and those who know
him best are satisfied that he would
succeed as well as any man could. He
has at his back the law and order or
ganization of Topeka whose war cry in
the campaign IS that the saloon must
not pollute Topeka with its presence.
There is every reason to believe that
the majority of the people of Topeka
are opposed to joints If this is true
then there is no reason why Mr.. Ber-
gundthal should not be nominated and
elected mayor Of Topeka. He has been
a consistent temperance man all his
life and has had the courage Of his con
victiOns.
There are rumors that a faction of the
law and order people, because Of per-
sonal disappointment, will not go to the
polls and it is well known fact that
some of them have not used their in
fuence to help Mr.. Bergundthal If
they are really honest in their desire to
have the law enforced, and not extreme
ly selfish concerning who should be
mayor Of Topeka, their acts are strange
to say the least. There may be a personal
satisfaction for them if the law and or
der candidate goes down in defeat. bus
it viii only be because they place their
personal preference above the cause they
profess to represent
There is not a singlereason why a per
son who desires the future prosperity OF
the city, from a business or moral
standpoint. should not vote for W. q
Bergundthal for mayor of Topeka.