The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-04
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
There are three kinds of editorials.
One supplements the news and gives
additional information to the public;
another gives the papers opinion, what
ever that may be worth; a third urges
readers to pursue a certain course.
This one will be in the nature of the
first two.
The State Journal, being a newspaper
with more or less independent tenden-
cies and not a political organ, cannot
speak with that roseate certainty that
often colors political assertions con-
corning things that we would like to
have come about and concerning men
whose ambitions it countenances; re-
CARELESS of the fact that results quite
the contrary to desires may really be
indicated by practical conditions that
actually exist.
This paper greatly admires and be-
lives in Governor Bailey. 1t thinks he
made a splendid executive and is gov
erned by high principles of integrity
and honor, and has demonstrated great
ability in all positions which he has
filed in public and private capacities.
With many others it believes he was
unfairly treated, that injustice was
done him, that to his actions were at
tributed influences which did not con-
troll him. 1t would like to see him gov
ernor for second term, but 1t would
like to see that honor come to him just
as Governor Bailey himself would like
to see 1t come, and the way it really
should come: freely and with practical
unanimity.
With Stubs not a candidate. ana
he has persistently and positively re-
fused to be a candidate for governor
until last night, it looked as though
Governor Bailey would have clear
sailing.
With the sudden entrance Of Stubs
into the race, there is one thing pat
ent: That a big fight is under head
way, and that. Governor Bailey can
not be nominated without the very
thing he deplored, for he emphatical
ly said in his statement. "I do not de-
sire to be a candidate for the nomi-
nation of governor in the sense of
making an aggressive fight for the
position" Governor Bailey stands for
many of the very things for which
Mr.. Stubs says he stands. Governor
Bailey made a fine record in the ex-i
ecutive office and has a great and
worthy popularity over the state, but
the conditions are such among the
people that the aggressive campaign
sure to be waged by the square deal
ers," or progressive Republicans as
they now style themselves, would
have to be met by like aggressive
movement upon the part OF Governor
Bailey and his friends.
Here are a few things which must
be apparent to the thoughtful reader,
studious In politics, in touch with
present conditions:
Stubs was in very close touch with
the people of this state during the
past summer and early fall He made
more speeches than anybody and
talked to more people. What he said
seemed to make an impression. For
three months he probably averaged a
speech a day. Up to the middle of
October. when politics almost ceased
to be discussed, Stubs was very gen.
orally conceded to be In demand for
governor. Both his friends and hrs
enemies conceded that he would be
popular candidate for governor
Had he consented at that time to run
it Is not likely that he would have
had any pronounced opposition. The
square dealers" have apparently lost
some strength since the financial
furry, but whether to the extent Of
materially weakening their position
is doubtful. Stubs is rather more
representative OF LaFollette than of
Roosevelt or Taft or Hughes.
The issues as announced by Stubs
in his proclamation of acceptance
are in the main popular ones and
cover reforms and changes quite gen.
orally advocated and demanded, and
in sympathy with the views of Gov
ernor Bailey himself. but from a less
spectacular and grandstand display.
The two-cent fare and the antipass
measures upon which Stubbs lays
stress, might be termed dead issues
as they are already in force.
Stubs can not attack Bailey per-
sonally. for the people know him and
know that he is good man of fine
instincts and established reputation,
but he can be indirect and cry ina
chine" and attack some influences
which by mere present circumstances
would favor Bailey. instead of Stubs.
The action Of the state central COM
mittee against state primary this
year helped the direct primary advo-
Gates on general principles, although,
there are very many who favor the d.
rect primary as matter of principle
who are not for it without a specific
law guarding Its conduct. The Stubs
people, however, will make the most
of this and say the principle is at
stake. but as a matter of fact it is