The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-20
BOTkIN OPENS UP.
Democratic Candidate Makes
Acceptance Speech.
rendered Big Reception at
Wichita in Afternoon.
TAKES UP THE ISSUES.
Discusses Questions That Are
Now Before People.
Cause of the Panic and Tariff
Legislation.

Wichita, Kan. Aug. 2o.-Jeremiah d.
Botkin, Democratic nominee for gov
ernor of Kansas, delivered his speech
of acceptance Wednesday evening at
the Auditorium in this city. William
H. Ryan, chairman of the Democratic
state central committee, and Mr.. Bot
kins late opponent for the Democratic
nomination, presided at the meeting.
and officially notified Mr.. Botkin that
he was it,
Mr.. Botkin's speech was the first
formal, written address he ever deliv-
cred in his life, 1t is said. Botkin Is
an off-hand talker of great ability, and
ing his speeches.
Mr.. Botkin was rendered a big recep-
ton at the Carey hotel at 8 o'clock in
the afternoon. There was music by the
band. Henderson Martin Of Marion,
Fred Bailey, Mr.. Botkin's manager.
Taylor Riddle of Marion, Sam Graybill
of Hutchinson, George Pitts of Well
ington, Ed Hackney of Sumner county,
o. s. Gibson of Winfield, Sam Hale of
Lacrosse, Geo. Fullenweider of Ell
Dorado and many other Democratic
leaders were present.
The following was Mr.. Botkin's
speech, which will be the keynote" OF
the Democratic campaign:
Profoundly grateful to the Demo-
Gratis of Kansas for the distinguished
honor of a call to serve as their candl-
date for governor, I here and now
pledge my time, my strength and my
highest endeavor to the pleasing task
of placing our great state in the Demo-
cratic column. If elected, l shall do
my utmost as servant of all the people
to perform the duties prescribed for the
governor by the people in their con-
stitution and statutes. and shall not
devote my time to building, operating
and perpetuating a political macnlne.
The supreme ambition of every
Kansas Democrat this year should De
to do his best to give the state to that
first American citizen. that prince q
men and Christian statesman, Wlinam
j. Bryan, the next president OF THESE
United States. Next to this, II Is ouE
duty and privilege to give to his ad-
ministration the strongest possible OIL
fetal and moral support, by electlng
all the Democratic nominees from sen
ator and governor to constable Ihis
is possible if every Democrat Will DO
his fulI duty in the campaign and at
the polls. Will you do 1T and win! Or
will you be Indifferent and lose!
In the great contest before us, we
must not forget that, speaking In gen.
same kind of clay. Our conflict OF
opinions in politics and other things is
due largely to differences In nome
training and later environment NO
political party has monopoly OF IN
telligence and sincere patriotism
While professional politicians me-
from selfish motives, strive Tor parry
supremacy, it is becoming more and
more apparent that the great mass OF
voters of all parties equally desire good
the fate of the professional politician
In their endavor to promote good gov
ernment, the people differ only as to the
principles and policies most conducive
to that end. 1t therefore becomes US
as citizens to discuss, without passion
those principles and policies proposed
by the different parties and having de-
cided which party, all things consider
ed has in it the greatest promise of
good to our country, we should as
patriots give to that party, during the
campaign and at the polls, our earnest
support.
Takes Up Questions.
1.-The measures in question are:
Publicity of campaign funds, physical
valuation of railroads. and the cleo
ton of United States senators by pop
ular vote About the funniest thing in
our political history is the fact that
in his letter of acceptance, Mr.. Taft
climbs down off his platform and en-
dorses these same La Toilette fads.
1t might be we'll to observe in pass
ing that it is not known whether Mr..
Taft wrote these three 'fads' in his
speech before or after he had pre-
sented it to Mr.. Roosevelt for the lat
ter's approval. In either case there is
ground for suspicion that full grown
Senegambian may be lurking some
where under the woodpile, and that
somebody is getting ready to fool
somebody But you can't fool all the
people all the time
For ten years prior to last Octo-
her. the Republican leaders filled the
air with the cry: We always have
prosperity under Republican rule and
hard times under Democratic rule.
If this is true. we should all be Re
publicans If it is false, no one should
believe it, for it is dangerous to be-
lieve an untruth. What is the voice
of history? Frorty-seven years ago last
March, the Republican party took
possession of the government. It has
had absolute control of all the ma
chinery of legislation twenty-eight
years. and partial control seventeen
years so that no change in laws could
be made without its cooperation;
while the Democrats have had the
presidency and both houses of con-
gress just two years of that time. In
their platform four years ago and in
their campaign text book two years
ago the Republicans assume respon-
sibility for all federal legislation since
March 1851. Now to the history of
financial and industrial conditions of
our country under Republican admin
istration and policies. The first wit
ness shall be President Hayes. In his
| inaugural address delivered March s,
1877 he said: with respect to the f1n-
ancial conditions of the country,
shall not attempt an extended history
| of the embarrassment and prostration
which we have suffered during the
past three years. The depression in
| fcontinued on Page EikhtA