The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-03
GOV. HoCH's REMUNERATION.

It is evident that many of the dele
gates to yesterdays convention did not
consider the report concerning Governor
Hoch's insult to Mrs. w E. Stanley
sufficiently serious to make him worthy
of defeat for denomination. It is true
that the story could not be denied, but
many delegates were charitable enough
to consider Governor Hoch's action due
to his impu1sive nature and to balance
against it his COOL reputation Of a life
time This is the view that William
Allen White took Of the matter. Mr..
White said:
1T was unfortunate that Governor
Hoch thought it wise to withhold the
resignation OF Mrs. W. E. Stanley until
a week before the Republican conven-
ton For her resignation gave what
ever justification there may be for
printing the story Of her reason for re-
signing This story is that Hoch at
tempted familiarities with her which
she regarded as insulting.
There is no question but that Mrs.
Stanley believes that the governor did
what she says he did She IS a woman
Of the highest prObity. and was quick
to resent intrusion upon her natural re-
serve and that there was an intrusion
may cot be doubted. For those Who
know the governor know he is a demon
SJTaJlNe, IlllDuI5lNG ll4o4As anu e4ACJ 1AAJR
also that he IS often led by his ardent
nature to overstep the proprfeties and
conventionalities Of society IN express
ing himself.
ssBut on the other hand to believe
that E. W. Hoch would Intentionally
do an improper or ungentlemanly act,
is impossible. z. W. HOch has been
known in politics for years He has
been I'D all night and out all day with
all sorts and conditions of men. He
,47~~ an
are in their families. No man ever
heard him pass an indecent word; no
man ever heard him tell an improper
story: no man ever heard Hoch make
a nasty remark about a woman He
has a clean mind and a manly heart.
Essentially he is a gentleman. It Is
unimag inable that he would exhibit
himself as a beast and his life in this
state should now rise in evidence to
acquit him. He has not made the best
lived a worthy Christian life. and un-
til there is a more explicit definite
charge against him than that made in
the newspapers, he should not be con-
demned."
Holding this view. large number Of
delegates refused to believe the story
serious enough to deprive him Of a re-
nomination.
There was another element among
the delegates who consider 1t ex-
tremely doubtful If the Republicans
can elect governor this year. and
they saw no reason for bringing out a
new candidate in view of the uncer-
tainty of election.
Those delegates who really believed
that Governor Hoch ought not to be
renominated found themselves up
against a stone wall in the shape of
the railroad combine that was in abb
solute control Of the convention. and
therefore the opposition to Governor
Hoch could not get a foothold.
It cannot be maintained. however,
that Governor Hoch is a strong can
/ didate. He has very little OF the
strength he had two years ago, and he
is running against the strongest posi-
Bile opposition. His administration
has been a disappointment to nearly
everyone. and running, as he does. on a
ticket that was openly and notoriously
dictated by the railroads in opposition
to what the majority OF the people OF
Kansas want. his vote of two years ago
win be greatly diminished. 50 much Sc
that his reelection is regarded as a
matter Of some doubt.
This is simply a statement OF facts
AS to the story concerning Governor
Hoch's insult to the wife of a prede-
cessor. this paper believed it pursued
the right course. It tried to defend