The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-24
THE DEMOCRATS.

For the second time since It has
been built Topeka's big Auditorium
Will be used tomorrow by the Demo-
cratic party to nominate its state
ticket. The clans are already gather
ing-if Democrats have clans-and
tomorrow will see a choice assortment
of speeches-and probably consider
able enthusiasm-turned loose.
1t goes without saying that Topeka
is glad to have the Democrats here.
She sometimes overlooks the Demo-
cratic ticket on the official ballot, but
that doesn't mean that she has any
Ill will for the genial gentlemen who
gather to make that ticket.
The Democrats of Kansas really
present an imposing array. IL they
could trade some of their dignity and
brains for votes the returns would be
more interesting to them in the cold
gray dawn of the morning after cleo
ton. From their well-groomed and
polite chairman, Col. William F. Sapp,
through all the leaders from the va
rious counties, the Democrats have
dignity to burn. And what a genial
lot they are. notwithstanding their
dignity. AS hearty and whole-souled
a party of individuals as one might
meet anywhere in this broad land.
And brainsl-they have brains to
throw at the birds With Bale Wag-
gener, and Jim Orr, John Atwood q
Ed Murphy, Tom Morgan and Judge
billiard, Harry Mcmillan and 7. L.
Bond. jim Fike and Charlie Sawyer,
Claude Duval and J. Mack Love, Da-
vid Overmyer and Hugh Farrelly, and
a host of others just as brainy to draw
upon, it would appear that the Demo
Gratis of Kansas ought to know how
to do great things.
And they do know how to do about
everything except win an election
That seems to be their weak point.
There is more eIoquence to the square
inch in the Democratic party in Kan
sas than the Republicans have to the
square foot. Where else are there
such orators as Atwood and Over
myer? They have forensic ability
enough to win every time II argu-
ment would do it. Where are the SUI
4 periors Of Waggener, and Bond and
Orr, and billiard in legal argumenta-
tive ability?
But the Republicans get the votes.
The main difficulty with the Demo
Gratis appears to be that there are not
enough of them. Nevertheless the
Democrat is always optimistic. Things
look pretty blue for him on the morn
ing after election, but he Immediately
prepares to lick 'em next time. The
Democratic party of Kansas is the
greatest next-time party on earth. Il
is always going to lick the Republicans
next time And one of these days II
may do it. Such things have hap
pened in the past. and hope springs
eternal in the Democratic breast.
It is needless to say that the ticket
which the Democrats VIII name to-
morrow will be a good one. Whether
it will ever see the inside Of the state
house and get to sign its name on the
warrant register in the auditors Office
is another question.
1t is also more than probable that
the platform that will be builded fol
the Democratic party to stand on dur
/ ing the coming campaign will be {
solid one In fact, the Democratic
party fastened to Topeka this week tC
keep the Republicans from coming
here and usurping their platform.
Still. It is likely that there will b.
some difference between the Demo
cratic and Republican platforms. Fo
instance, it seems likely that tn
Democrats will be the only ones t.
resolve in favor of prohibition thil
year. They used to resolve against 1t
but a considerable number of Demo
cratic county conventions have takel
firm stand against any more resub
mission resolutions.
There will be some vacant chairs il
that convention tomorrow. Perhap
a tear of sorrow will be dropped 70
those who have fallen by the way
J side. The rotund, beaming counter
ance of Major Alexander NJ. Harvey
late Democratic candidate for congress
in the First district, will not be Wis
ible. Nor will another countenance
not so rotund-that of Webb McNall
be among those present. They hav
not joined the angels. but they hav
joined the majority.
A PEN PICTURE.