The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-23
Senator Begins His Campaign
in Earnest.
Makes Personal Calls on the
Business Men.
TALKS OF CONVENTION
Only Two Critics cf the Repub-
lican Platform.
One, William Allen White and
the Other, w. J. Bryan.

Clay Center, Kan. June 23.-It is
plain that Senator Long. who last night
opened his regular speaking campaign
here, will stand on his record in the
senate and on the platform adopted by
his party at Chicago last week. which
platform he helped to make.
Senator Long declared that he was
proud of his part in the Chicago con-
vention, and glad he had the oppor-
tunity to assist his party in this way.
He dwelt at some length on the in
junction plank, for which he had
fought. and told of the struggle in the
subcommittee of the committee on res
olutions, of the work before the full
committee. and afterwards in the COM
mittee on revision, which consisted of
four. one of which he was. He said
this plank was necessary to make the
document entirely acceptable to Mr..
Taft and to Mr.. Roosevelt. He declar-
ed the platform a remarkable docu-
ment, progressive in every way, and
that it should be satisfactory to every
honest Republican.
In referring to the platform. Senator
Long said there were, up to date. but
two critics that he had discovered:
William j. Bryan and William Allen
White. He read from Mr.. Bryan's edi-
tOrlal In the COmmOner to prove MT.
Bryan's dissatisfaction, and from
Kansas City paper of Sunday in which
Mr.. White had piece about him, Long,
to show Whites dissatisfaction. On
the other hand, said the senator, the
Kansas City paper in which Mr.. Whites
piece was printed had commented most
favorably on the platform, and on SEN
ator Longs help in making 1t. Also
other progressive Republican papers,
including one at Topeka. had declared
he 1off lynr a
Senator Long, as being worthy of most
favorable commendation.
Senator Long said it was impossible
to suit the extremists on either side.
The ultraconserYatives thought the
platform went too far.
They had fought the injunction
plank. which Senator Long said he
had so earnestly favored. They hae
fought other planks in this platform.
on the other hand. the ultraradicals
were dissatisfied, and of this class was
Mr.. White, who had lamented the de-
feat of the La Toilette planKs. AS to
this, Senator Long called attention to
the fact that practically the entire
convention, consisting of over 900
delegates. had voted against the mi
nority report presented by Mr.. cooper
of Wisconsin, while only % voted for
1t. Previous to this, in the committee
on resolutions. the committee. which
had SO members, only had one men,
Der. Mr.. Cooper, supporting the La
Toilette planks
There was no disposition, Senator
Long said, to make a platform salts
factory to Mr.. Bryan and the Demo-
Gratis. 1t would be impossible, even if
there were any disposition so to do.
And it seemed just as impossible to
suit Mr.. White, Republican though he
was.
The tribute Senator Long paid Mr..
Taft was very fine indeed He spoke
of him as a clean, earnest, energetic
hxr nf r Se
ecutive duties in the past, TO assume
the presidency. and declared him the
most fitted for president of any man
of any party in the country's history,
and certain to carry out the Roose-
welt policies. He said Mr.. Taft was a
man who would make a great presi-
dent, and added a few words IN COM
mendation of his running mate, James
S. Sherman. fitted for the vice presi-
Dental duties and for this campaign
by twenty years service in congress
and his conspicuous ability as a par
Humanitarian and presiding officer.
Once in referring to the Chicago
platform, Senator Long said IL was the
strongest document of the party since
that of 1896, and that the injunction
plank was the most stubbornry con-
tested since that of 1896 opposing free
coinage of silver. These facts lent ad-
= ditional interest and strength to the
platform.
Senator Long said he had no per-
sonal platform. The platform of his
party at Chicago was sufficient for
him, he said, and no man could ac-
complish any definite results in legisla-
ton in the senate who had a personal
platform. This was a reference to
Mr.. Bristow, who has personal plat
form.
The senator said unless his record
and service were satisfactory he had
no wish to be reelected. The reward
of public service was small at least, he
caf nd Ara1xr
lie mans service was proper COM
pensation.
Senator Long had a good meeting.
close attention, and enthusiastic greet
Ing.
Senator Long arrived in town
Sunday night. or rather Monday
morning. about o'clock. He was up
early and around town at once. He
had intended to drive to various
smaller towns surrounding Clay Cen
ter returning in the afternoon to this
place. The day was most disagree
able however, being intensely sultry
and a stif wind blowing. In addition
to theee facts, the severe rains and
high water in the past two weeks had
washed out many bridges and made
some roads largely impossible.
SO 1t was necessary to remain in
town and devote the day to visiting
the stores and offices. There was not
one missed, and 1t was as thorough a
did.
In the afternoon Senator Long was
taken to the chautauqua grounds near
town and saw the big new s4.40G
auditorium the chautauqua people
have recently built and dedicated. 1t
Is modern. open auditorium with a
splendid stage. dressing rooms, COM
Portable seats, with sloping Sides al
together making it as satisfactory a
place OF its kind as there is in the
state Clay Center people are very
proud OF 1t. and dedicated it not long
ago. Representative Calderhead max