The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-04
Is NOT FOR THEM.
Senatorial Aspirants Afraid of
Convention Nominations.
Would Mean an EARLY and Hard
Campaign.
AFTER TWO AT ONCE.
-=~--
Congressman Would Be Placed
in That Position.
Mr.. Royce Explains Why Tt
Would Be Bad Plan.
AFTER TWO AT ONCE.

IL Is generally De4eNed that the talk
of nominating a United States senator
at the Republican state convention has
about run its course and that the 9eo-
pie who have been advocating the plan
with the most vigor are destined to
soon lose their enthusiasm.
The convention plan is not to the
liking of the present members of con-
gress who have senatorial aspirations.
If adopted, it means that the congress-
men must not only get out and make a
fight for the election of friendly dele
gates to the state convention. but at
the same time they must be carrying
on the warfare for delegates to their own
4 congressional conventions. People
don't like to see a man running for
two Jobs at once.
/ When Congressman Phil Campbell
I was in Topeka a few days ago, he did
not commit himself on the convention
/ plan. He said he was willing to abide
! by the desires of the people. But even
down in CampbelFs own district there
would be danger ie he should try to
ride double through the campaign,
seeking delegates for both senate and
/ congress A Third district man said in
/ speaking Of the situation:
In spite of Campbelrs popularity,
which possibly is somewhat oyeresti-
mated, there would certainly be several
candidates out in opposition to him for
]
and fight for delegates to the state con-
Valtion.
In the First district. where Curtis al
ways has q fight to control the congress
sioual convention, the situation would
/ be even more serious for Curtis.
/ There is also a general dislike on the
/ part Of the politicians for mixing up
the fight for state offices with the fight
/ for the senatorship. The people who
I are interested in state offices fear that
their interests Will be neglected, and
\ their hopes slaughtered in the interests
OF one of the other senatorial candi-
dates. So, on the whole, the project
had bad shedding ahead of it.
The story is now being circulated
that A. Newman. the Shawnee candi-
date for state auditor, is in reality maxi
ing his fight for the purpose of aiding
Curtis to go to the senate. Newman
has stated that he would make his CAM
paign by personal visit to the delegates
to the state convention. Some say that
this extensive campaign of personal
visitation is for the purpose of enabling
Curtis to keep in close touch with the
situation and that Newman will real
~ be in the race to keep the Curtis
fences in repair. Newman of course
denies this. He says he is in the race
for auditor to stay.
John Q. Royce. state bank examiner,
thinks that it would be a mistake to
regular state convention.
THE effect would be-" he says, ITO
make the delegates trade off every
thing in sight for senatorial in
fluenee. With such an arrangement,
we might as we'll line up thousand
men In the dark, and pick the state
ticket from the bunch without know
ing who we were selecting. Good
qualifications would count for naught
and good men would be slaughtered
on the Sena tOrial altar.
Mr.. Royce thinks that Il better way
would be to have a special primary
election called by the state central
committee, al which the people should
vote in their choice for senator. At
the same primary, delegates to state
senatorial convention should b.
chosen. In case one of the candidates
should receive a majority of the pop
ular vote. he would be recommended
to the Republican members of the
legislature for their action. In case no
candidate had majority then the
senatorial delegates should meet in
convention and select the man.
This plan" says Mr.. Royce. would
save the state money. 1t would avoid
wasting lot of time at the next ses-
sion of the legislature.
Charles E Hall, of Russell, a mem
Der of the legislature and prominently
mentioned as a candidate for secretary
of state, was in Topeka today, and in
discussing his candidacy said:
Il have as yet made no formal an
nouncement of my candidacy for sec
rotary of state, and may decide to be
for McG0nigal. I think McGonigal's
announcement was a little premature
and I am simply waiting for a while
before taking any definite action.
I'm my opinion, Hoch will be re-
nominated for governor. OF course he
has made mistakes, but in my opinion
the mistakes are not of sufficient inn
portance to be used against him in a
campaign. If the politicians try to
beat him. I think they will run up
against the plain common people.
'Reeder will be renominated for
congress in our district, but it is inn
possible to tell yet whether he will
have any opposition. It looks to me as
thnngh Cmrtis has the best show for