The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-28
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Republican Committee Makes a
Counter Challenge.
viii Let Hoch Debate With
Harris.
ALL OTHERS ALSO.
Pit Each Candidate Against His
Opponent.
ALL OTHERS AIS
Mr. jackson Anxious to Try
Conclusions With Overmyer.

The Challenge" which W. H. Ryan
Of the Democratic state committee ex-
tended to the Republican state commit
tee for Joint debate between David
Overmyer and F. S. Jackson, the rival
candidates for attorney general, has
been sidestepped by the Republican
committee which has submitted
counter proposition for debate be-
tween Harris and Hoch, and between
all the other candidates on the ticket.
Mr.. Jackson. however, manifests
good deal of real anxiety to take
whirl with Mr.. Overmyer If the COM
mittee would turn Jackson loose, he
would probably sail into his Topeka
antagonist. Mr.. Jackson says:
Chairman drummer is absent from
the state and have had no opportunity
to consult with him. I shall be guided
by his judgment as I have been in all
matters connected with the campaign.
] have no knowledge of this apparent
challenge except what I have seen in
the newspapers Mr.. Overmyer and /
met on the same platform at Kansas
City recently, by accident, and 1 find
him a very pleasant gentleman. Per
E0nally, I have no objection whatever
to the plan, but it would be egCtism on
my part to catch at the attempt Of the
Democratic committee to thrust great
ness upon me. by making me spOkes-
man for the Republican party of the
state.
II assume from the proposition that
the Democrats have decided upon a ser
les Of joint debates between the DIFF
ferent candidates and that q challenge
from Harris to Governor Hoch viii soon
follow.
4 notice, too, that Chairman Ryan
mentions specially the square deal pro-
positions. # he is DESTROYS of promot-
ing these Ideas. he should support the
Republican state ticket and platform
Ito -NrsHa
dorse a primary law. which IS one of the
main issues of the campaign. The Re
publican platform declares for a pri-
mary election law, indorses the Hep
burne rate bill which in effect prohib-
tied the issuance of free sportation
and demands the lowest passenger and
freight rates which can be made rea-
sonable and just. This covers the entire
ground of the sO-called square deal
proposition It appears to be the Dem
ocrats who wish to amend their plat
form and get in touch with the live is
sues Of the day
The following reply to Mr. Ryan's
proposal has been sent by the Republi.
can state committee:
Wv H Ryan, Chairman Democratic
Central Committee, Topeka, Kan.
Dear Sir: S. c. drummer. chairman
Of the Republican state central commit
tee, is out of the city and will not re-
turn for several days. Your letter di-
rected to him and proposing a series Of
sixteen public meetings to be addressed
jointly by David Overmyer and Fred S.
Jackson. the nominees for attorney gen
eraI Of the Democratic and Republican
parties, respectively, therefore can not
receive his immediate attention. How
ever, in view of the publicity given your
proposal, we. as representa- tives Of the
Republican committee, deem it fitting
that we address you on the subject
The desire expressed by you that the
issues in the present campaign be fully
discussed by the candidates for publie
gffiee in order that the voters be fully
informed is commendable and entirely
in accord with the plans Of this com
rnittee. However we do not understand
why you should single out two candi-
dates for subordinate places and STOP
with suggesting a series Of meetings tu
be addressed by them jointly. It is the
candidates for governor who are most
concerned with the sO-called square
deal issues to which you have referred
There is no reason apparently why you
should seek to evade this fact.
'sThe issues - . sugRTSt for discus