The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-03
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Grant Hornaday's Formal Let
ter of Withdrawal.
Tells Why Ex-Governor Bailey
Should Be RenOminated.
UNITE THE FACTIONS.
Finds That Sentiment for Him
Is Strong.
Politicians Now Wonder What
Leland Will Do.

AS was predicted in the Fort Scott
dispatch printed in the State Journal
Thursday afternoon, Grant Hornaday
has stepped out of the way of ex-Gover-
nor w. j. Bailey in the race for the
Republican nomination for governor.
On Thursday afternoon, Mr.. Hornaday
issued formal letter of withdrawal,
which letter is as follows:
ITO the Republicans of Kansas:
-Four years ago a sort of impaired
frenzy that had seized the Republican
party in Kansas, anxious for a trial
of its new found strength, did sub
stantial violence to a time onored Gus
tom and. without good cause, refused
the then incumbent, Willis ]. Bailey,
denomination for the governorship.
Mr.. Bailey's friends declared at that
time, and have stoutly maintained ever
since, that a grievous wrong was done
him; one that, as I had occasion to
point out at that time, would, after
sober thought, be recognized by every
fair man. The Republicans of Kansas
may be relied on to redress wrongs
when second thought comes to the aid
of their native honesty.
In the preliminary canvass I have
been making for a few months past in
connection with my own candidacy 1
have found universal sentiment with
in the party to the effect that, at some
time, substantial justice should be
awarded Mr.. Bailey, and the hasty
wrong done him happily righted.
Although these wholesome senti-
ments have spread over the entire
state. the plan they embody has been
in danger of defeat for the single rea-
son that Ex-Governor Bailey has been,
until now, deaf to the entreaties of his
friends and expressed a desire to re-
of his warmest supporters, it was only
after his repeated declaration of his
wishes above stated that 1 got the con-
sent of my mind to enter the contest
for myself.
"a careful canvass of the situation
reveals the fact that it is the sense
of the Republicans of Kansas that
now Is the accepted time and, that
justice may be promptly as well as
fully done, that Ex-Governor Bailey be
their standard-bearer this year.
1.-The close political and personal
friendship that has existed between
Ex-Governor Bailey and myself for
twenty years continues the same. His
friends are mine: mine are his. 1 be-
lieve there is no intention of cross
| political purposes between US.
! Furthermore, 1 believe that the
! nomination of Ex-Governor Bailey will
effect the amalgamation of the fac
tons that have, by fighting each other,
tended to the generalization of party
| loyalty and endangered our politi-
| cal ascendancy in the state.
I'm view Of all these things, and
feeling that party harmony is more
to be desired than the qualification of
| the ambitions of any man or set of
men, L have concluded to step aside
| in the fight and lend my aid to the
| movement for the nomination of ex-
Governor Bailey. thus reuniting the
party and assisting in righting a
wrong done to a good friend.
81 would like to have had the
nomination this year. What cam
paign I have made has been in good
faith; but I cannot ignore the senti-
ment that seeks to do right with Mr..
Bailey; and my purpose to foster that
sentiment is stronger than my desire
| for the nomination.
| 81 hope the many friends who have
| given me such loyal support in my
| candidacy will, as 1 believe, approve
| the step have taken. 1 desire to ex-
press my deep appreciation of their
| course in the past, and invite them to
| join me in helping to do what ap-
| peals to me as wise and needful
| thing-eliminate factionalism and do
! right with Ex-Governor Bailey
Every truly,
GRANT HORNADAY''