The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-06-02
Father of Prohibition Likes the
New Liquor Law.
The Best One Of Which He Has
Ever Heard.
NEW BAILEY RUMOR
Said That He May Be Candidate
for Congress.
Would Make Interesting Three
COrnered Contest.
NEW BAILEY RUMOR

Ex-Governor John P. ST John, who
is in the city on a visit, still takes an
interest in politics and the public af-
fairs of his state. He carries his age
lightly. In answer to the question as
to whether he still took an interest in
politics, the ex-governor said:
'Of course L do. Every good citi-
zen should take an interest in politics
and instead of sitting back and COM
planning about the graft and rotten
ness of affairs he should keep to the
front and do his part toward better
ing conditions.
That is one of the finest things
about Kansas, the interest all her
citizens take in the political game. 1
know that the people of other states
laugh at the Kansas farmer for the
deep and abiding interest he always
takes in political affairs, but the Kan
sas farmer don't care. He can afford
to let them laugh, for he laughs best
who laughs last. The Kansas farmer
has seen to it while he is looking af-
ter politics, that his state has more
reform laws than any state in the I'M
ion; he has helped push the bosses
off the top of the political heap and
he is enjoying prosperity and protec-
ton now undreamed of in America
twenty years ago.
II think that the new prohibition
law that went into effect in this state
the other day is a fine thing. 1t is the
best law I ever heard of for the sup
preston of the liquor traffic and I be-
lieVe that Attorney General Jackson
will enforce this law. 1 am watching
affairs from distance and I see them
through the glasses of thirty years
ago, but 1 have no criticism to make,
rather 1 have only admiration for the
present methods of doing things in
Kansas"
st. John was governor of this state
at the time the prohibition law was
placed upon the statute books and
has always been known as the pro-
hibition governor. He resides now
at Olathe. Mrs. st. John accompan-
led him on his trip to Topeka. It
has been several years since Gov. st.
John had visited at the capital city.
There is a rumor af1oat to the effect
that Ex-Governor Bailey is thinking of
making the race for the Republican
nomination for congress in the First
district If this should prove to be true
it would result in a beautiful political
mixup in this district AS the situa-
ton stands now, Dan Anthony of Leav-
enworth present congressman, will
make the race for denomination and
Tom McNeal of Topeka will oppose him.
Robert Stone of Topeka has with
drawn from the race. Anthony is at
daggers' points with the Stubhs- Dolley-
Jackson crowd over the Stubs trip to
Washington and the Stone revokement.
Anthony might be said to be a ma
chine man, anyway, he will be opposed
to a finish by the square dealers and
get the support of many machine men.
McNeal is training with square deal
crowd and has leanings toward the
square deal itself, but is not a radical
In this matter and has friends in both
camps all over the state. Bailey was
the idol of the old machine men and
was defeated for a second term for
governor by Stubs and his square deal
battalions. 1t could be argued that
Bailey would draw strength from the
candidacy of Anthony and thus give
the prize to McNeal without strug-
gle but on the other hand Bailey and
Anthony, both coming from the same
part of the First district, might emu
late the Stone-McNeal agreement and
pitch quarters to decide who should
make the race. Bailey might be great
deal stronger candidate than Anthony
Bailey has been out of the game fol-
four years. He had as strong a follow
ing Of friends and admirers in Kansas
and the First district when he retired
from public life as any man in recent
years, even If he was turned down fol
Hoch at the Wichita convention.
It is expected that the railroads O.
this state will put into effect the new
maximum freight rates within the mex
thirty days. These rates provide for
reduction in freight rates of about IF
teen per cent. The law establishing tn,
new rate was introduced by w. Y. Nor
gan of Reno county in the last legis
1ature and became effective last Fri
day. The roads have until the first O
July to put the new rates into effect
No effort was made at the time by TIL
roads to block the passage of this Law
and 1t was limited at the time the bill
was before the legislature that it would
be ineffective, but at this close rang
there appears to be nothing the matte
with this law from the viewpoint o
the shipper and the public.