The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-10
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Congressman Reeder Makes
Mysterious Visit to Topeka.
He, Didn't Even Register at the
Copeland.
CHANGES HIS MIND.
Afraid Proposed Primary Would
Cost Too Much.
Geo. Holland Here Long Enough
to Announce His Intentions.


Congressman. W. A. Reeder OF the
Sixth district slipped quietly into
town a few days ago and slipped out
again without registering at any Of
the hotels, and his presence here
would probably have been unknown
but for the fact that he left tracks.
! Mr.. Reeder's tracks were quite
| large and impressive, in view of the
recent discussion of a primary cleo
| ton in the Sixth district, and judging
from the way the tracks point, Mr..
Reeder is busily engaged in beating
| a retreat from his original position in
favor of a primary election to settle
the Sixth district congressional hight.
Mr.. Reeder said he was in Topeka
to meet an appointment with friend.
1t is supposed that his mission was
political. When asked concerning the
primary, Mr.. Reeder did not at once
declare that he would be opposed to
it. He said:
''WelI, I'm afraid that this primary
is going to cost too much money. Per-
sonally, I would prefer to settle the
fight by primary, but 1t viii be very
expensive We don't want this thing
to be so expensive that people can not
afford to go in. 1 figure that the as
sessment will be $1,000, and the ex-
pense of getting out the vote at least
81, 900 more for each candidate. That
would make it cost every man $4,000,
which is more than most of us can
afford"
The man to whom Mr.. Reeder was
talking says in speakin of the inter
view: "Bill Reeder didn't say that he
was going to be opposed to the pri-
mary, but will bet $3.50 that he will
be when the time comes"
Ever since Capt. w. H. Mitchell Of
Beloit declared himself opposed to the
stronger for Reeder to reverse him
self, and come out in favor of con-
ventions sof the good old fashioned
kind! Reeder himself was probably
sincere when hessaid in his interview
in the State Journal. some time ago
that he would be for a primary cleo
ton in the Sixth district. But since
then the politicians have been abusing
him for his fool break" and telling
him that his best chance for renom-
ination. lies in the retention of the
convention plan. - So Mr. Reeder is
trying to find a way out without dis
appointing. the people OF the skin dis
George Holland in Topeka.
George Holland of Russell county,
the man who stayed in the fight
against Reeder at the last convention
to the last ditch, and then announced
that he would be candidate next
time is making good his pledge. He
was in Topeka Friday on law bust
ness, and assumed very foxy air in
discussing political matters
Are you a candidate for con-
gress?" was asked.
81 see by the papers I am" said Mr..
Holland.
Are those reports correct?"
"They usually are correct, are they
not ?" said Holland.
"You stand by your announcement
at the Lincoln convention, 90 you?"
was asked.
"I don't know any reason why I
shouldn't" replied the crafty states
man.
Mr.. Holland admitted that the
chances were not favorable for a pri- |
mary election in the Sixth. He said !
that he believed Mr.. Reeder wanted |
the other kind. Personally, he had
no special choice.
There will probably be about five
candidates in the field" said Mr.. Hol-
land. at don't believe John Royce /
can be a candidate. I don't know |
whether Young or Mead will have the |
best show in Mitchell county. They |
are both my friends. I can see no !
reason why any of the candidates
should drop out of the fight, unless it
is done simply to help some other
candidate. I recognize that Ham of
Rocks county will be a very strong
candidate because of a certain ele-
-. 80 x.yJ,Ich iS -bahi0d him