The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-18
HAVE GIVEN UP.
Hughes Faction No Longer Try
ing to Sidetrack Bergundthal.

When Hughes and his friends were
struggling desperately to buy, bulldoze
or brOwbeat w. s. Bergundthal out of
the race for the Republican nomination
for mayor, they Haunted it about that
Mr.. Bergundthal had not the slightest
chance OF success, and would only ac-
c0mplish his political suicide by staying
IN the fight. And it really looked as
though they might be stating facts.
The smoke Of the first Scrlmmage has
cleared away. Mr.. Bergundthal. is still
in the race. The talk about political
suicide is subsiding. Hughes is begin
ming to think that perhaps it viii be
necessary ii cease looking upon Der
gundthal's candidacy as a joke. An in
spection of the Hughes battalions. vet
Grams of the campaign of 1901, shows
large Jagged holes in the ranks, torn by
law and order men and women who re-
fuse to reenlist under the banner of
municipal extravaganza, and ring rule.
Honest, law-lOving citizens who object
to having a collar placed around their
necks by a clique of Hughes appOinJeeS
who want to be restored to power. are
in rebellion. They will not submit to
the dictatiOn of the Hughes ring, and
they expect to express their disapprOVal
of packed committees and attempted
political assassination. By the time the
Republican primaries take place it
would not be surprising to find that the
real law and order people of Topeka
are on the side of Mr.. Bergundthal
WHO IS a consistent law ana OlQef man.
There are hundreds of so-called lib
eraf' Republicans in Topeka who will
vote for Bergundthal because they have
confidence in him as a man, and believe
that his experience in municipal affairs
fits him for the responsible duties OF
mayor. One of Mr.. Bergundtllals great
est elements of strength is his splendid
standing among the business men of
the city. 1t is pretty safe to say that
he will get the votes of ten business
men where Hughes GETS one Had he
been endorsed by the law and order
people of Topeka, it would have been
utterly useless TO nominate anyone
against him But the Hughes partisans
chose the committee to indorse the can
didate
Bergundthal is as strong a comoro-
mise candidate as could have been Sc
lected- He represents the best there Is,
morally and Intellectually, among the
successful business men of Topeka. He
is not temperance crank but he
favors the enforcement of the laws
which as mayor it would be his duty to
enforce. He would pander to no fac
ton but would be fair to all. He would
/ have the brains and energy to direct
wisely the financial policy of the city.
/ His experience as a leading member OF
the city council eCuips him with a SUI
+ per1or knowledge OF municipal affairs.
! In every way W. S. Bergundthal is ad~
mirably fitted to be mayor of Toaeka.
There is a strong sentiment in Topeka
] to drop the town row and get together
i IN municipal affairs for the best inter
ests Of the city. to cut loose from fac
tlOnal politics, and partisan politics, and
elect men to city offices because they
/ are good business men. Just how strong
this spirit of compromise is can not be
determined until the result of the cleo
ton is known. The victory of Bergund~
thai means the triumph of compromise
and the beginning of a new era of pros.
perity for Topeka, when wars shall De
/ no more %