The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-27
Dr.G. P. Ashton Writes to other
Legislative Candidates.
EARNED THE HONOR.
Calls Attention to Ex-Chair-
mans Faithful Work.
Letter Not Intended to AntagO-
nize Any One, He Explains.

DR.. George P. Ashton Of Topeka,
Democratic candidate for the legisla-
ture in Shawnee county against w. A.
S. Bird. Republican, is sending out let
ters to all the other Democratic can
didates for the legislature in the state
of Kansas, urging them to support Col.
William F. Sapp of Galena for United
States senator.
Dr. Ashton evidently thinks that Col.
Sapp hasn't been treated right, and he
proposes to do his best to square the
Democratic party with the GaIena
statesman. This is the letter which DR..
Ashton is sending out:
MY dear sir:
Like you, am a Democratic candi-
| date Tor the legislature, and it is my
| pellef the Democrats, Populists and
dna.epe4dent Republicans will elect the
entire Democratic state ticket, and
possibly enough representatives to
make 1t possible for US to name the
next United States senator In this
connection | wish to say word in be-
lialt or Mr.. VIM. F. Sapp, of Galena,
Central committee.
Two years ago Mr.. Sapp was made
CHAIRMAN, and when he opened head
quarters here in Topeka he found
many counties wholly without organi-
zat1On and despite the fact that he was
hampered by lack Of funds. as wen a.
General Apathy on every side, he
courageously commenced the cam
Raign, and with a corps of assistants.
worked here at his desk continuously
for three. months.
After the close Of the campaign.
ana N the face of overwhelming de-
feat, Mr. Sapp determined to maintain
permanent state headquarters, for the
purpose OF organizing the party. This
ne did almost alone and 44rafded
financially, with the result that when
the state convention met in. April this
year, and elected a new committee he
was able to turn over to this commit
zee Inc best organization the Kansas
democracy has ever known This [
know personally, to be true. and
many of the Democrats here in Shaw
nee, who We're in a position to see and
realize the splendid work he was do
ing, as well as Democrats from all
over thes state, feel that we should not
nave changed horses in the middle of
The stream. and 1 feel that If we de-
sire to repay Mr. Sapp for the work he
has zone Il should be by giving him
some OI+Lhe hOnOrs He spent his time
and fnoheE freely helping to organize
the party, and was really the cause of
our spierdid state ticket He is an
aple,s honest. earnest man, and has the
Tlg Mt ideas Of governments and I am
fer him FOR the United States senate
and ffrd he has quite a following.
Mr. Sapp mas never mentioned the
mater 70 me, nor have I heard him
express himself on the subject
Write me how matters look in
your county, what your chances of
election are, and what you think of
my idea Of pushing Sapp for the
senate
wishing you success, am.
Yours very truly,
GEO. P. ASHTON
When asked about his letter. Dr.
Ashton said: I am sending this out
on my own responsibility. I did not
consult Mr. Sapp and have never men
toned the subject to him, and unless
some candidate has shown him the let
ter do not know whether he is aware
Of my move or not. My letter is not
meant as criticism of any of the
managers of the campaign. and in fact
] am convinced that Mr.. Ryan is as
good man as we could get and that
he has made good chairman will be
shown when the votes are counted As
stated in my letter. thought Mr.. Sapp
should be recognized by his party and /
that he should be rewarded for services /
rendered 1t. He is out now making |
speeches and doing his best for the
ticket which shows that he Is not a !
gutter. 1t looks to me as though our /
ticket is going to be elected, for every |
indication is that people are kicking
over the traces and intend to vote as |
Uncle Chet Thomas said, Just as they |
- please.
In regard to to his own candidacy.
the doctor said:
Il have not made any effort to cor
raj the voters because I consider that
they have sense enough to determine |
who to vote for. a good many of them /
know me. as I have lived here and I
practiced my profession for more than /
twenty years, and those who do not /
know me can find out about me from
inquiry. which
will make before he casts his ballot. /
Every voter should take both tickets 1
and acquaint himself with the history I
and character of all the candidates. |
then vote for those who suit him best"
When asked in regard to his position I
on public questions DR.. Ashton said. /
Il stand Souareiy on our state and /
county platforms. I have always paid /
railroads and am willing to pay two /
cents in the future but would like to see I
every body pay as much as I do. I have +
given the commission system OF govern /
ing cities some thought and If furtheri
investigation shows that 1t would re. |
duce taxes or be of material benefit in /
other ways woUld favor the enactment |
of laws putting that system in force /
The expensive display made Thursday /
evening shows that our Republican |
friends have ways OF getting campaign I
funds that we know nothing of, and !
favor a law that will prevent corpora /
tons contributing to campaign commit !
tees and that will compel campaign /
managers to tell where they get their /
money. Everybody knows that too much I
money is spent, especially in municipal /
elections Why, it is getting so a certain |
class OF voters won't go to the polls |
unless they are hauled there IN a hack I
All that should be stopped. IF a man /
is not patriotic enough to walk to the /
polls, his vote should not be received. !
Il am in favor of such laws as viii I
give the voters OF the state a full and /
free chance to express their choice. And I
If that is done without Interference from /
bosses and f1xers the. best men will 1
nearly always win, and that is all any /
body can ask or. expect
a wonder Of the Twentieth century.