The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-09
WHAT'S IT BEEN TAKING?

It is extremely apparent that the
State Journals morning contemporary
has experienced a great change Of
heart in the past two years-or less.
Otherwise why should It gag so at swal-
lowing certain candidates on the Re-
publican state ticket?
Why, for instance. should the Capital
make such a fuss over the present norni-
nees for railroad commissioners, when
it fought for the chance to swallow
A. D. Walker two years ago? This pa
per is not criticising the Capital for its
present attitude-the State Journal APP
preciates its nausea, for it has been
there ftself-but it cannot help wonder
ing what its contemporary across the
alley has been taking to give it that
seasick feeling at the thought of sup
porting such gentlemen as Messrs.
Fitzgerald, Ryker and Ryan.
The Capital insists that the recent
state convention was dominated by the
railroads. This is very true, but not
more so than two years ago. There
was not a ripple in the railroad slate
al that time. Even J. W. Robson, who
was supposed to be the shippers mem
Der Of the railroad board. was named
by the railroads. And the Capital
The Capital is now objecting to Mr..
Fitzgerald for lieutenant governor be-
cause he was supported by the rail-
roads. Mr.. Fitzgerald, however. is a
man of good personal character. There
is not thing against him. so far as
this paper knows except that the rail-
roads favored him. Yet two years ago
the morning organ was eager and anxi-
Gus to support T. T. Kelly for state
treasurer, in the face of his dishonest
record-and Mr.. FitzgeraId's nominal
ton was not desired by the railroads
one whit more than was Mr.. Kellys.
1t was absolutely certain two years
ago that a. D. Walker was a railroad
candidate. No secret was made of it.
There was no pretense otherwise. Mr.
Walker was defeated in his home
county, but after comforting with some
Of the Capitals friends in Topeka he
got up a boiling delegation and got
into the state convention purely by
political manipulations. Ana the Cap~
ital was eager and anxious for his
nomination and election It even
criticised the state Journal for re-
fusing to support him.
Messrs. Fitzgerald, Ryker and Ryan
appear to have made the mistakes of
not having their home counties against
them as did Kelly and Walker two
years ago. Had that been the case
perhaps the Capital would now sup
port them.
This is not a defense of the nomf-
nees the Capital is now opposing AS
heretofore stated, the State Journal
appreciates the seasick feelings Of its
morning contemporary. These re-
marks are intended only to point out
that the present state ticket is no
worse than the one two years ago, and
in some respects it is far superior.
The nominees for the railroad
board are simply an unknown guam
tity now so far as ability and inclina-
ton to fill the offices for which they
are nominated is concerned. The rail-
roads probably depended upon Mr..
Wheatley to dominate the other two
members. for Mr. Wheatley is un-
doubtedly man of considerable
force Whether the railroads will be
able to dominate Messrs. Ryan and
Ryker without Mr.. Wheauey's aid re-
mains to be seen-in case they are