The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-21


answer is an emphatic Mol Gentlemen,
we must not try to defend them. We
must wash our hands of them. The
next state convention must repudiate
place the party right before the people
of this state, and thus command their
continued respect and support.
WHY HE IS IN RACE.
with the spirit of the movement,
widespread and intense, represented by
those who invited me here and do me
the honor of hearing at this time.
safe from the express car, weighing 200
1 am in hearty sympathy. If I in
terpret this remarkable movement
Alright, 1t is & courageous and deter
mined effort to place our party upon
that high plane Of principle where 1t
rightfully belongs. 1t is not fac
tional movement. 1t does not propose
to dethrone one faction and enthrone
another. All factions are alike OBJ
noxious to it. 1t is in the interest Of
no one man, and will be dominated by
no man. 1t is imperSonal 1t is a pro-
test against the brutal intolerance in
party management which makes men
line up against their better judg-
ment; against methods which tend to
ROB men OF conscience and lndepend-
dence and make them subservient tools
OF self-assumed bosses; against the
use OF party machinery and common
Iunds TO subserve personal or fact1onal
rather than party ends; against the
personlfication of the Republican party
by We and US; against bOodling
with offices, which is worse than
boodling with money: against multiply
Ing slnecureS at public expense to pay
personal political debts and to inf1u-
ence public legislation; against unfair
and un-Republican standards of party
rewards; against the reckless eXpendi-
lures of the peoples money; against
unnecessary and excessive taxation;
against defeating needed legislation to
grat1fy personal spites; against CO.
ordinate branches of government inter-
ferlng with each other; against trying
10 suppress free speech and free press
with party machinery; in a word,
against what is more and more hate
fully known in Kansas politics as The
Machine.
ITO right these wrongs is the high pur-
pose of this movement. 1t is not treason
10 the Republican party. 1t is highest
with the spirit of the times, a part of the
great wave OF civic reform which has
bras6a, and Missouri and is spreading
across the whole country. Who has given
est exponent and leader? Why, that most
notable and forcefuI and fearless of all
modern 81, advocates Of civic Righteousness
present and next president, Theodore
DEFINES THE ISSUE.
Gentlemen, the issue is before you.
this state. or shall they not? In this move
are Insignificant compared to the great
questions of public concern involved in
fills the office or who sits in the
high councils of the party, but it is
that our leaders be men with a. high APP
probation of public trust and of public
And now. if this picture is not over
drawn, If this analysis of the situation is
correct; if this be the issue before the
Republicans of Kansas, then is it I'M
reasonable to ask that in every county in
this state the issue be fairly faced; that
ed to the interests of the party; that fav-
| or1te sons even, be not favored before
the state; that the people in every county
convention pass honest and manly judS
ment upon this great issue? I wish there
might be no divided delegations at Wich-
sue; opportunity for trading and traf-
4 ticking, no secret ballots; lodging or
throbbing heart Of the great R fn bIeal,
party, which always beats for good gov
F ene t haTe fef ana fI
| the track, and let the people have the
| right of way.
HE DIDN'T WANT IT.
| MY personal relations to this move
ment have not been sought or desired, as
| the people of this state now well know.
portions and my own people at my own
home have taken such active interest
in it. that 1 can not longer shirk re
sponsibility or duty. When, the other
day, my own neighbors, those who have
known me for thirty years, in a little
| town freighted, all small towns are
| freighted, with countless local burdens
without consulting me, and indeed with
| out my knowledge raised by popular sub
| scription in a few hours over seven hun
| bred dollars evidence of their in
| tereSt in this movement, can no longer
remain passive or silent, but shall as
sumo my full share of responsibility and
| labor.
7 wage no war on individuals I hope no
friend of mine will say unkind thing
personally of my opponent. 1 hope the
contest will be conducted upon a high
plane as only gentlemen conduct such
| contests.
IF nominated and elected governor of
Kansas, I will esteem it a very great
honor and will assume the duties of the
great office with enemies to punish
and no promised rewards to friends. If
successful, it will be my sincere desire to
restore harmony in all reasonable and
party and to give my beloved state. a