The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-15
KANSAS GQAAENT
WHO K1LLnD e.oeK ROBIN,

WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN?
1t is to be hoped that the gentle
men who are slpading and aiding In
campaigns for che Republican guber-
material nominations have about ex-
hausteds the Bupply OF ammunition be-
hind. the chafBe that somebody bolted
the Republican ticket two years ago.
and four years ago.
= The Republican party il acting the
part OF innocent bystanders in this
feverish confiict-wfth the innocent
bystander's usual deserts.
From recitation Of history as to
VINO fought the ticket in the past, the
incident is rapidly developing the
cnaracterfsttcs Of as-11ght ons the tick
ct at the present time by supplying
the Republican opposition with clubs
ana orick bats to be swung into ac-
ton against the party as soon a.. the
campaign between the parties opens
up.
1t is nothing new to md factions
ana facttonal leaders so thirsty for
eacn others gore that they are willing
TO stab through the party itself In
order to carry out the personal ven
delta But the familiarity OF It
makes 1t additionally unwelcome at
the present time.
The political wars Of the roses
whose history the gentlemen are re-
citing to each other, have been bully
wars as wars 20. but thew have LEFT
good many skeletons, and they have
been hard on the country. Some day,
Wnen peace returns and flowers bloom
In the ruts left by cannon wheels 1t
may be interesting to recite dispas-
sionately the history of how men
fought, bled and died to make things
OF themselves and corpses Of their es-
teemed contemporaries. But today
the scenes OF carnage are too fresh,
and the fight germ is too active. And
common enemy Is too seriously press
Ing for a united opposition.
Somebody fought the ticket, one
time or another. in the last two cam
paigns, but this fact will stand re-
CARELESS OF how general or emphatic
the gentlemen on the witness stand
protest mot -
For present purposes 1t ought to be
sufncient to know whether any more
lighting of the, ticket is to be ex-
pected by the recitation OF old grew
ances and in the carrying personal
grudges into and beyond the nomi-
mating campaign.-ottawa Herald.
THE TUCKER VERDICT.
The acquittal Of H. H Tucker, Jr..
will be regarded by great many peo-
pie triumph Of justice and right
Aui oeledt OF an attempt at perSecus
ton. These people believe that
fuckers only sin consisted in his
being a competitor and an enemy Of
the oil trust, and that his prosecution
was brought about through the in
fuence Of the Standard Oil company
Other folks think Tucker conducted a
swfnding operation and that he de-
served the penaltSes which attach to q
fraudulent use 81 Athe United States
mails. The jury's verdict of acquittal
will not have a great deal of influence
upon public opInion one way Or the
other. Those who believed him guilty
will doubtless bel Of the same opinion
tomorrow that they were yesterday.
Upon his conduct IN the fuki1re very
largely depends the final estimate which
the public will place upon fuckers
character. II, his business operations
in the future are conducted upon lines
OF uprfghtness and square dealing that
fact will tend strongly to establish the
opinion that he has been honest all
along. ThereS Is present in the American
public, particularly in the portion of
1t that fnhabtts Kansas d strong dis
position to give any person under ac-
cusation. the benefit Of the doubt and
this tendency will soperate in fuckers
favor.-Ottawa Republic.