The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-25
Democratic Campaign by
Discharging Mrs. Cooper.
This Move Made in the Interests
of Economy.
HAVE MONEY ON HAND
Col. Sapp Turned Over a Fund
Amounting to 500.
New Chairman Will Organize
Harris Clubs Over State.

". H. Ryan, chairman, W. H. L
Pepperell, secretary, and W H. KEN
per, treasurer, of the new Democratic
state central committee, held meet
ing at the Throop hotel yesterday pre-
liminary to the opening of the state
campaign and their first official act for
the good of the cause in their estina-
ton was to discharge Mrs. Minnie
Cooper, who has been clerk to the cen
trail committee during the two years
that Col. William F. Sapp was it's
chairman and during these two years
Democratic headquarters at the Tbroop
have been open each day and Mrs.
Cooper has been in charge of them
most of the tima.s
In the work Of reorganizing the party
and putting it on a staple basis which
was undertaken with success by Col.
Sapp, no one worked harder than did
Mrs. Copper. she is probably better
informed on Democratic conditions in
the state than any man in the party
and is exceedingly popular with the
leaders of the party. There was a good
deal of dissatisfaction among the
Democrats when Col Sapp was turned
down for reelection to the chairman
ship of the committee, but the chances
are that there will be more over the
discharge of Mrs. Cooper.
When the committee selected Mr..
Ryan as its chairman two weeks ago,
Mrs. Cooper announced that she in
tended to resign from her position. She
was prevailed upon to reconsider this
determination and Mr.. Ryan was as
solicitous as any one that she retain
her place. She consented to do SO and
was just a trife surprised to say the
least yesterday when Mr.. Ryan told
her that her services were no longer
required Mr.. Ryan iaformed Mrs.
Cooper that her discharge was due to
the fact that the officers Of the commit
tee had determined to run the commit
tee for some time without expense to
the party. He said that things would
be arranged so that either he, Mr.. Pep
pereu or Mr.. Kemper would be in
charge at headquarters and that there
fore Mrs. Coopers services would be
required no longer.
There is a story floating around that
Mr.. Ryan was considerably piqued at
a story which was printed in the
newspapers to the effect that there
was great dIssa tisfactfon among the
Democrats over his selection as chair
man, and that he believed this story
had been inspired BY Mrs. Cooper.
This is said to be the real reason why
she was discharged. In fact Mr.
Ryan after discharging Mrs. Cooper
accused her of inspiring these stories
and she was able to promptly and
forcibly deny the accusation, for she
was in no way responsible for them.
The officers Of the committee met
with the retiring chairman, w. F.
Sapp, yesterday afternoon and went
over the books Of the committee
Colonel Sapp turned over a fund of
about 500 to the new officers No
offer was made to reimburse Mr. Sapp
for a considerable sum he spent out
of his own pocket in organizing the
party, and Mr.. Sapp did not make
mention OF it.
Mr.. Ryan refused to say how
much there is now in the treasury, but
he said that there was sufficient to
starton an dthat there would be plenty
paign. He does not intend to start
vigorous campaign until the last of
July or the first of August
In the meantime it is his intention
to visit the various Democratic county
conventions throughout the state and
stimulate interest in the state ticket
He also has a plan for the organiza-
tion of Harris clubs all over the state
He believes that he can induce a num-
ber of Republicans to vote the Demo-
cratic ticket by obtaining their sigma
lures to a pledge to support Harris
Following is the form of the head
ing OF the pledge which is to be used
in the organization of the clubs:
I'VE, the undersigned electors re-
gardless OF past or present political
ties or Affiliations and as independent
Kansans. believe that the election of
Senator W. A. Harris and his asso-
ciates nominated not by the aid of
any railroad or corporation, will best
serve our interests and pledge our
selves to vote for him.