The Topeka state journal., 1908-05-29
CartOonist Reid Says He's in
Printer Race TO Stay.
Intimates That McNeal Broke
Faith With Him.
LATTER TELLSA STORY
In Position of Ethan Allen,
Hero of TicOnderoga.
The Chase County Candidate
and His Issue.

Three candidates will be in the race
for the Republican nomination for
state printer: T. A McNeal of To-
peka. Albert T. Reid of Leavenworth
and Topeka, W. C. Austin of Cotton
wood Falls
1t has been reported that Mr.. Reid
was about to retire from the race. This
is erroneous. Mr.. Reid said today:
"I am in this race to stay. I have
not been making any active campaign,
but have had my blank petitions pre-
pared. and have sent some of them
out"
Mr.. Reid has the endorsement of the
Republican committee of Shawnee
county.
The clash between McNeal and Reid
is rather unfortunate, for they have
been associated on most intimate terms
In a business and social way for years.
Mr.. Reid says:
Il would not have gotten into this
race if Mr.. McNeal had not told me
that he was out of it, and would not
be a candidate for another term. When
he reached that decision L determined
TO go in. Then he told me / was mis-
taken; that he had not said he was
going to withdraw. l don't accuse Mr..
McNeal of saying what is not true, for
there is no more conscientious man
than Mr.. McNeal. But 1 have entered
the race, and I am not a quitter. j
will stay in and make the best fight l
know how"
MIR Reid is very we'll known through
out the state by his wonderful ability
a cartoonist and magazine illustra
tor. He received the contract a few
days ago for decorating Representa-
tive hall. He is interested in the Leav-
enworth Post. and in the Farmers Ad-
vocate, a farming and horse paper.
Hence he has the practical experience
necessary to fill the office of state
printer.
This controversy between Stubbs
and Leland over who deserves the
credit for the great saving to the state
effected through the state printing
plant said State Printer T. A. Nc
Neal. reminds me of a story about
Ethan Allen 1t is said that after
Ethan Allen captured Fort Ticonderoga,
he attended church, and the old-time
preacher proceeded to offer up a very
long prayer in which he voluminously
thanked the Almighty for vouchsafinng
to the Colonial arms the magnificent
victory. and so forth, and so forth,
but didn't say word about Ethan
Allen. Allen stood 1t as long as he
could, and then interrupted the minis
ter.
IdTeOn, Sdlu he, IL > dIl TlSHL W
thank the Almighty for this victory,
but couldn't you mention in that con-
nection that I was present when it hap
penedT
Now while Stubbs and Leland are
fussing about who deserves the credit
for the good showing of the state
printing plant. which is saving the
state about $4,000 a year, couldn't
they mention, in that connection, that
/ was present."
fact that Tom McNeal has been ''pres-
ent' during the successful operation of
the state printing plant entities him to
much credit. Mr.. McNeal has looked
after the economical management of
the institution as carefully as though
detail has been studied and every saw
ing made that could possibly De made.
The result is that the state printing
plant is one of the most profitable en-
terprises the state ever undertook
Incidentally it might be mentioned
that the state ownership of the print
Ing plant was advocated ten years ago
by the state Journal. before any of the
politicians took it up.
W. c. Austin, editor of the Chase
County Leader, Is making an active
fight for the nomination for state
printer, and is getting considerable
help from the newspapers. especially
those in the Fourth district. Austin
will no doubt get big vote in his own
district. and probably in other sections
OF the state.
Mr., Austin is making his strongest
plea for votes on the ground that the
state printing plant should be en-
larged to print all of the blank books
used by the counties of the state At
present, the counties are supplied with
blank books through various book
firms, and the county officers will be
pleased with the prospect of getting
these books from the state az cost.
1t Is likely that such a plan would
meet with favor in the legislature
Personally. Mr.. Austin is a very
pleasant and able man. He owns one
OF the best country printing offices in
the state. and gets out a very good
newspaper.
Austin's only handicap is that he is