The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-16
POLITICAL GOSSIP
B. Il. Tracy Is Nominated for
the Legislature.
s8lau Turned Down for District
Attorney By Roosevelt.
WAS A BURTON LEADER
Now Said That He Is Pledged TO
Curtis.
Harry Mcmillan Nay Be Drafted
for Congress.
WAS ABURTON LEADER

Tor Congress-
Reports from Pottawatomie county
indicate that there is much dissatisfac-
zion with B. n. Tracy. the Republican
nominee for the legislature in that coun-
( ~. and the Democrats think that they
can beat Tracy in the election by the
Paid az dissatisfied Republican votes.
M Tracy has a Questionable record
I'm politics. AS a staunOh friend OF j.
r. Burton and D ". Mulvane, he labor
ed incessankiy to get Burton into the
senate. and was rewarded by the ap-
kpozntment Of United States attorney for
Kansas WHEN Burton landed Ugly
fcharges were made against Tracy, and
president Mckinley held up the ap-
fpoSntnene for investigation. McKtn-
F1eysa assassination took place before he
khad counpIsted his investigation, and
president Roosevelt assumed the inves-
litigation. The charges against Tracy Of
Improper actions were 50 numerous that
president Roosevelt rejected Tracy and
adVised Burton to select some one else.
Ths rejection Of Tracy was the opening
Eof hosdIities between Burton and
Roosevelt.
Editor Chnoott Of tho Wamego Times
flaas been most active in the fight on
Tracy, and has IN his Possession a large
humber OF dsposittons and afftdavits
EedeCttng On Iracy's character.
It is understood that Tracy is en-
dorsed by Charles Curtis, who expects
20 get Tra'ey's vote for United States
senator. Aside from the politicians IN
the county, the nomination OF Tracy IS
bitterly criticised, and Republicans who
otherwise were friendly to Curtis are
inclined TO cRitcise him for using his
influence to bring about the election OF
sssch a man as Tracy.
The Democrats have nominated DR..
%. r. Richardson Of Onaga for the Office
OF representative DR.. Richardson is a
man Of ability and probity, but is not
politician. He is not making a very ac-
tive canvass. but it is thought that II
he would make an energetic campaign
ne could get enough Republican votes
to defeat Tracy
]. II. Mercer of Bazaar, Chase county,
"A. S. Heusel Of Cheney. Sedgwick coun-
ty and Senator R. 7. SimOns Of Cald-
well, Sumner county, have all written to
James A TrOutman, president OF the
Square Deal club, endorsing the pr1ncI-
ples OF that organization. Mercer and
Eeusel are the nominees of the Re
publican party for the legislature In
their respective counties.
The letters from Mr.. Mercer and Mr.
Heusel merely quote the resolutions
adopted by their respective county con-
ventions, and announce that the candi-
dates viii stand upon that platform
Senator SimOns says in his letter.
's04r. James A. Troutman, Topeka, Kan
sas.
Dear sir:-I am IN receipt Of the
questions submitted to me to answer at
my pleasure 1 have always been firm
~ of the opinion that a public servant
should freely and frankly state his
views upon any and all questions Of
public interest, when requested to do 50.
AS a representative Of a portion Of this
state, / am personally DESTROYS of know
ing the opinions of q majority of my
constituents upon any Of the questions
coming before the legislature for con-
EideratiOn. A constituency certainly has
the right to know how it's representa-
tives regard vital results before the pub
lie. I take pleasure, therefore, in can
didly stating my views upon the ques-
tons submitted for answer
Il favor a primary election law for the
nomination Of all officers from United
States senator down to township trus-
tee. I would have the law compel all
parties to hold their primaries on the
same day and throw such safeguards
around the law as to make it as far as
possible an expression Of more than
minority vote. This can, doubtless, be
accomplished by having the voter name
"a second choice or q second primary.
The difficulties apparently surrounding
4he enactment Of a just and reasonable
primary law may be dissipated in time
by careful study of the best methods
now known and by experience.
Second know of no reason why
all property in this state should not be
Rssessed at It's cash value. I see no
reason why railroad property should
not be put upon the same basis as the
merchants stock OF goods or the farm
ieF's land.
ssThird-I am In favor of an anti-pass
8aws except such as are issued to bona
hide employees of railroad companies
and their immediate families. The
pass system has grown to such an ex-
tent that it has become a burden not
only to the public but to the railroads
as we'll. From a mere courtesy at
first, 1t has grown to an oppressive
system, and its influence has extended
TO such limits as to make 1t dangerous
TO further continue Its use and It there
fore should be abolished
"Fourth-With the adjustment of
the free pass and. the increased i'm
petus Of travel under cheaDer fares If
might be possible to reduce the PAS
Eenger rates to 2 cents per mile. This
IS q matter that demands careful in
Quiry and while 1t is DESTROYS to make
passenger rates as low as possible stilf
y would not be wise to make them so
low as to cripple the best service that
should always be demanded Of rail
roads in the transportation of peonIa
Respectfully submitted,
''R. T. sIHONS."
It is likely that Harry Mcmillan fo~-
n1erly state senator from Ottawa com
tys viii be the Democratic nominee Tor
congress in the Fifth district aratns+
w A. Calderhead. This has been the
talk for some time. and as the time for
the convention draws near McAfillan
seems to be the unanimous choice Of his
party
It is not entirely a homeless task
which confronts the Democratic nom
inee this year. Calderhead is not non
uIar in his own party, and his attitude
OF hostility to President Roosevelt and
all the important measures advocated
by Roosevelt has lost him much sun
port. Mcmillan is strong anti-rail
road man. and he viii make Calderheal
hustle to win.
The situation in the Second district is
entirely different. Charles Scott. ths
Republican candidate, is practically
.ea-Eaira To heat r.anerle.. tn - i