The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-02
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Taylor Riddle Says Sentiment
Hasn't Changed.
People Feel About as They Did
After Conventions.
LONG MAKES A SPEECH.
Defends Gov. Hoch's Position in
Katy Land Case.
David Oyermyer Makes a Speech
to Linn County Democrats.

IF Governor Hoch gets a majority
/ of six hundred in Marion county this
/ fall he will be exceedingly lucky said
Taylor Riddle, one of the prominent
Democrats from that section of the
state who was in this city today.
Il find an unusually strong senti-
ment for Harris throughout the state
and it is strong right In the governors
home county. OF course. he will run
stronger there than in any other part
of the state. At the last election he
secured a majority of 1887 votes in
the county This was an abnormal
Republican majority and Hoch will do
well if he gets a majority of six hun
dred in his home county.
LAS near as I can estimate condi-
tions there has not been much of
! change in the sentiment of the people
of the state since the nominationg con-
ventions were held three months ago.
/ At that time there was a decided senti-
ment for Harris and the Democratic
ticket and the remark was commonly
made then that if the election was TO
be held within two weeks after the
| conventions there would be no doubt
about the election of Harris and the
rest of the ticket As I said, I DO not
ditions since the convention time and
that there is a good chance for Demo-
cratic success this fall.
This reform movement which has
been started by wing of the Repub-
licans is merely asking for the support
of questions which are handled with
much more strength and certainty in
/ the Democratic platform. The move
ment is really an endorsement OF
| Democratic principles and should help
our candidates who are committed to
them.
Governor Hoch is a poor. irresolute
| angleworm, said David Overmyer, the
l Democratic candidate for attorney
/ general. in addressing the Linn county
/ Democratic convention at Mound City
/ yesterday. Mr. Overmyer devoted two
hours to a discussion of Governor
/ Hoch,s official actions. Mayor Rose OF
| Kansas City. Kansas, addressed the
convention for five minutes He said
1 he was not pressing his congresslonal
aspirations. Mayor Rose said his
/ troubles had come from corporations
which we're not disposed to bear their
| sh8re of the flnacial burden. An un-
Instructed delegate to the congresslon-
al convention was named.
The ticket follows: Probate Judge,
]. o. Rogers; treasurer, S. D. Moore;
clerk, O. E. Haley; sheriff, l. J. Hig-
gins; register of deeds, J. l. Brown;
attorney, B. J. Crosswhite; superin-
tendent schools, f. r. Hines; printer,
Cannon.
Speaking at Circleville yesterday
afternoon at the seventh annual picnic
of northern Jackson county, Chester /
Long. United States senator, discussed
at some length the Missouri, Kansas &
Texas land grant question which has
been injected Into the state campaign
Senator Long made it very clear
that there was no danger to Kansas or
to taxpayers; and no ground for alarm
He advised those who may have been
disposed to become excited over this
forced issue to remain cool and calm,
confident of no disastrous result.
Certain newspapers, whose editors
have more skill in fiction than in fact,
suggested Senator Long, had excltedly
stated that if the Missouri, Kansas 4
Texas wins this suit, $5O,0O0,OO0 would
be involved and lost by taxpayers ofth
United States, and the loss to Kansas
taxpayers would be $1,00o,O0o.
Senator Long said that in the first
place the amount involved, as claimed
by the railroad attorneys themselves,
was but 10000, 900, and, said the SEN
ator, attorneys in d claims case, gen.
orally ask for what appears to them to
be sufficient.
What he called another absurdity
was the claim that Kansas as a whole
are users of cigars, tobacco, liquors.
and imported luxuries contribute d.
rectly to the government treasury.
Hence Kansas as a state-its taxpay-
ers as a Whole-would have little to
lose If the case should be settled favor
able to the railroad company
Senator Long made the statement
that two things would have to happen
before the Missouri. Kansas & Texas
would get possession OF this land, or
win this suit:
First-The Indian title must be ex-
tinguished.
second-The land must become part
of the public lands
The indian title is not extinguished
by the land being allotted in severalty.
As to the second of these propositions,
what is known as the five tribes act
passed at the last session of congress,
provides by section II, which Senator
Long himself secured as an amend
ment that the lands. even upon dis
solution of tribal government, shall
not become public lands, but shall be
held in trust by the United States for
the use and benefit Of the Indians
etc.
So 1t is. clear there can be no danger
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas finally
winning this case. Governor Hoch
simply permitted the use of the name
of the state of Kansas. a. trustee. to
facilitate a settlement of the contro
versy
Senator Long spoke of legislation of
congress at the last session. by briefly
considering legislation for insular pos
sessions. meat inspection. pure food,
railroad rate and other laws, dwelling
at some length on railroad rates He
also regretted the lack of legislation
reducing tariff rates on Philippine
products.
Probably 5000 persons are in at
tendance. and the picnic IS great
success. II. J. Allen. of Ottawa. spoke
briefly, preceding Senator Long