The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-01

harangue 1 am charged with my con.
freres with having been nominated by
railroad influence. The plain fact is
nearly every Republican railroad
manager advised against my nominal
ton; while Mr.. Dale owes his nomi-
nation largely to Mr.. Bale Waggener
the general attorney of the Missouri
Pacific system, and to Mr.. James Orr
another railroad attorney. and to other
notorious railroad influence. Mr. Wag-
gener was the leader of the Demo-
cratic and railroad influence in the
last house of representatives.; he is
now a candidate for the state senate
with Mr.. Dale's support; he was one
of Mr.. Dale'S original supporters; and
with his powerful influence Mr.. Dale's
railroad issue is to be made effec-
tive! Now, isn't this funny? L have
no interest in any railroad, and am
under no obligation to any of them,
other than the obligation common to
all men, the obligation to treat all men
and every interest fairly. 1 am in
favor of all reasonable legislation, as
far as possible corporate power of ex-
tort1on, to prevent determinations, to
provide car facilities for shippers
without delay, and for other legislation
that is fair and reasonable; but L
shall not play demagogue on the sub
1ect NO greater business interest ex-
lists in Kansas than the railroad in
terest, and none is of more vital con-
Germ to the state. Nothing has con-
tr1Duted more, nor as much, to the
states upbuilding, as the railroads.
Their stockholders include thousands
of comparatively poor people, whose
earnings have been invested in these
necessary and legitimate enterprises
and the Republican party, while pro-
tect1ng the people from avaricious
railroad managers, will also protect
the railroads against political extrem-
ISIS and designing demagOgueS.
Oil and Gas.
Looming into vastly greater import
ance than any issue raised by our OPP
ponents. is the protection and preserva-
ton OF our oil and gas interests. Our
own citizens outside the regions where
this fabulous wealth is stored little re-
alize its magnitude and Importance.
But a crisis confronts US. Monopoly
threatens to rob our people of the chief
benefits of this great endowment, and
appropriate the profits to itself. How
can we save this wealth to the state
and to its own people? L frankly con-
fesS / do not know. But the Republi-
can party has promised, in it's state
platform, to give this great question it's
most serious attention and 1 promise
hearty cooperation in an earnest effort
to solve the pressing problem. If the
best legal talent in the state can sug-
gest solution, it will be done.
Primary Election.
The Republican party has promised
the people primary election law. The
Democratic platform is strangely silent
on the subject. Since government comes
to US through parties. it must have its
initiative in party primaries, where can
dtdateS are selected. Government,
therefore, begins at the primary. The
character of a stream is determined by
the character of its fountain, and gov
eminent will be no purer than its
source. What would be thought of the
farmer who would allow his swine to
wallow in the family spring while care
fully fencing them out of the stream
which flowed from this befouled foun
tain? Yet this homely figure aptly
illustrates present laws relating to gov
eminent. We carefully guard the bal
lot box at the regular election, but we
throw no safeguards around the real
source of its power-the place where
candidates are selected. All kinds of
frauds are perpetrated with impunity.
The will of the party is brazenly
thwarted by petty politicians. Mem
mating unworthy candidates for the
purpose of Strengthening their own
party through the weakness Oft the rival
ticket. These and countless other evils
election law which, in the language of
our platform, shall as Sacredly and
guard this fountain of pop
ular government as the regular election
is now guarded by law"
Other State Issues.
OuT state PROMISES TO 0SldD-
fish public repositories in which the
state and not private individuals shall
receive the interest upon accumulated
public moneys; to rediStrict the state
into eight congressional districts; to
apply reasonable civil service rules to
employees of state institutions; to help
in every feasible manner the good
roads movement; to encourage irriga-
ton interests; to make needed amend
mentS to assessment and taxation laws;
IN give the state economical admin
stration; to dispense with useless Off
ces; to reduce public expenditures in
every way consistent with the proper
care of state interests. With all these
promises am in hearty sympathy, and
f elected shall use what legitimate in
1uence I may possess to help crystalize
these promises into statutory state
nent and administrative practice.
Our platform justly condemns the ex-
-ravagance of the last legislature. Re
oublicans are never afraid to condemn
wrong in their own party. This char
acteristic is conspicuously illustrated
by our national leader, whose plea for
civic righteousness has known no party
n theory or practice. 1 believe the
next legislature can and will save a
arge sum of money in its own legisla-
i've expenses, without Gripping the
of that branch of the state
government. And 1 believe that the
general taxes can be greatly reduced
Without injury to any state interest |
% theSe feIorLAs pieuSe my oeSI ell
orts.
Our willy opponents are trying to
make cheap capital out of the prohibit |
ion question. In anti-prohibition CEN |
ers L am characterized as a crank on |
he subject. In temperance localities |
am charged with renouncing my life |
ime views. All this to weaken the Re |
publican ticket and strengthen their |
,wn feeble cause. Now, am not and |
lever was a fanatic on this or any 9TH |
r subject. nor have 1 OF will renounce |
ny lifetime views. Prohibition long |
ince passed into the domain of con- !
titutional and statutory law. Neither |
,arty mentioned it in their platform, |
he Democrats. even, emitting mention |
# it for the first time in twenty years. |
This law like all other laws, is COM |
nitted to definite authorities for en- |
orcement Since the repeal of the |