The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-20
Is IT GOOD Politics?

Do not those Republican newspapers
that were praising w r. Stubs two
years ago but which are now accusing
him of injuring the Republican ticket,
realize that they are taking the surest
method of alternating votes from the
Republican party? They cannot shut
their eyes to the fact that the Repub-
lican ticket may need all the votes it
can muster about next November, but
the course some newspapers are pursu-
ing viii lead a considerable number of
voters to become exceedingly Iukewarm
concerning Republican success, whether
Mr.. Stubs is boiling or not.
This fact is pointed out by the State
Journal from a purely disinterested
standpoint. No matter which party
wins in the coming election, the result
will be such d great Improvement over
that of two years that this paper views
the prospect with considerable satisfac-
ton. Both tickets have their strong
points and both have their weaknesses,
and it is not at all improbable that
large number of Independent voters will
vote q mixed ticket. This papers in
terest in the coming election is only
that the state may elect honest and
capable officials who will enforce the
laws and best serve the interests of
the people.
So it is merely as matter of com
ment that the State Journal points out
to certain Kansas papers that they are
injuring their own cause by emphasiz-
ing Mr. Stubs alleged dissatisfaction
Two years ago they held up the states
man from the Wakarusa as sort OF
demi-god. He was praised without
stint by a lot of politicians, and their
organs. who hated Governor Bailey A
good many people were led to believe
that Mr.. Stubs was just about perfec-
ton. There were editors, of course, who
refused to worship at the shrine OF
Stubbs, and they cannot be censured
for speaking their minds about him
now
But it cannot be denied that Mr..
Stubs has a considerable following He
has not always been consistent, but ne
is now advocating ideas that appeal 10
many Kansas voters. Therefore when
Republican newspapers intimate that
Stubs is not loyal to the ticket and
that he will bolt part of it. they create
a sentiment of distrust in the minds of
those who have been taught to believe
in Stubbs-a distrust not of Stubs but
of the Republican ticket.
The state Journal has in times past
severely criticised Mr.. Stubs. It felt
that he did wrong in standing by T. t.
Kelly and the perpetrators of the Co
manche county bond deal two years
ago. when he was chairman of the
state committee Very likely he realizes
his error now. He pleads that he was
young in politics and Inexperienced
and did not know as much then as he
does now.
At present however, Mr.. Stubs
stands for certain legislation that the
people Of Kansas desire-that is, he is
looked upon as the leader. He has not
always been consistent in the past, but
the fight that is being made on him
indicates that he is now believed to be
sincere. Some of the things he is ad-
vocating are certainly worthy of com
mendaton; others perhaps ought to be
subject to amendment and debate.
Certain it is that Mr.. Stubs has a
strong following in Kansas among peo-
pie who are influential, and a good
way to ALLEVIATE the allegiance of these
people from the Republican ticket is
to make them believe that Stubs is a
bolter
But perhaps that is the game. There
is more than one way of playing It.