The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-27

sively their personal choice among
Republicans for advancement in the
party councils. I respect good
fighter, and 1 would like to have it
distinctly understood that for all
such I entertain wholesome respect
and no feeling of animosity whatever;
and If it should be my good fortune
to become the choice OF the Republi-
can party as it's candidate for COVER
nor. 1 shall expect the loyal support
of all the Republicans of the state,
and I can assure you that upon my
part I shall endeavor to be a candi-
date of the whole Republican party.
During the long period of my active
participation In Kansas politics, the
great educational, charitable and
penal institutions of the state have
been founded and developed into their
present high state of efficiency, and
in that development I am pleased to
say, I have performed an active and
believe not an unimportant part. No
state in the Union has done more
along these lines nor reached a higher
state of development than we have.
And every Kansan should be proud
of these great institutions and do
everything in his power to increase
their efficiency. / believe that my ex-
perience and knowledge of the prac-
tical administration of these great
state institutions will enable me to
do the part governor has to per-
form with reference to their admins
tration in a wise, conservative and
inesslike manner.
No faint of scandal or corruption
has ever attached to the administra-
ton under the Republican party of
these great benevolent enterprises of
our state, and none should ever be
permitted to attach. 1 believe the
state has just cause to congratulate
itself on the wisdom, patriotism and
honesty Of the illustrious men upon
whom the Republican party has con-
| ferred the distinguished honor of the
governorship. While 1 recollect that
at times much factional discord has
obliged in, nevertheless, as time goes
| by and personal interests and dis
appointments are forgotten, and we
| look back upon the administration of
| state affairs by these men, we find
that upon the whole their administra-
lions have been characterized by the
| highest principles of patriotism and
| honesty.
The Republican party is party of
progress and each succeeding ad-
ministration of state affairs finds
! something to be done which was not
| SO apparent to those which went be-
| fore and which the progressive spirit
Of the age discovers, and which the
Intelligent healthy public opinion de-
mands should be done.
|
| the Republican governors of Kansas
| show what the party has to its credit
| since the admission of the state. 1t
| is a good record of officials, pledges
kept and the interests of the people
served faithfully and well.
1t has been my good fortune to be
a member of the legislature during
the last six years, and in the enact
ment of new and wise legislation OF
the state 1 have had my part Among
the new and, to my mind, highly
| valuable laws recently passed I might
| mention the law abolishing the fee
system in the state printers Office and
putting that Office upon a salary
basis; the law providing for the lend
ing of surplus money Of the state to
the banks upon first class security
the interest accruing to the state
treasury; the anti-pass law, the rail-
road rate regulation law and the pri-
| mary election law.
These measures and many others
| have had my earnest support and
vote, and I believe that by reason OF
my extensive acquaintance with the
members of the Legislature 1 was able
to do as much as any other single
member in the passing of these wise
and salutary laws.
OF the wisdom of the new tax law
am not so we'll convinced. 1 am OF
the opinion that the new law needs
to be amended in many material re
spects to avoid an unjust burden upor
the owners of farms and other rea
estate, as well as upon the large body
of taxpayers who can least afford t
bear the public burden. If, after &
trial. that law does not prove effec
tive and just to all, which I hope i
may, 1 shall not hesitate to advocat,
its repeal
In the general administration of tn,
| business affairs of the state 1 believ,
| ha he 10,
word. I do not mean by this that w
should be illiberal in appropriations
, but that wise, economical. conserva
i tive business principles should pre-
) vail in every department of stat
! government.