The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-10
HODGES THE man.
Democrats Look to Olathe Man
as Leader.
But He Delays GubernatOrial
Announcement.
AT ABILENE BANQUET.
Democratic Leaders Gather to
Hear OratOry.
Hope for Success From Republi-
can Faction.

Abilene, Kan, Nov. 10.-"It would
be presumptuous for me to say at this
time that am candidate for COVER
nor The Democrats of Kansas are
the ones to declare whom they de-
sire to be their leader and no man
has right to preempt the field. If
the party shall later on express a de-
sire for me as the candidate it will
then be time enough to determine. 1t
is going to be a Democratic year and
with the right kind of leadership the
party will elect its governor. I be-
lieve that there is plenty of time yet
to make a choice
That is as near as Senator George
Hodges of Olathe came to announc-
ing his candidacy for governor at the
Democratic banquet here. and he put
that in an interview instead of in his
speech, which was dignif1ed and
somewhat conservative presentation
of the tariff with some touch on state
politics.
Not Many Leaders Present.
There were many Democrats pres
ent who wanted to start things and
declare the campaign open with
Hodges for governor, but it did not
meet with his approval Not many
leaders were present Henderson Mar
tin was expected to be POSTMASTER at
the banquet, but could not come, and
W. F. Grosser of Salina acted in his
place
Sam Hale of Lacrosse was here to
represent the Seventh district, and ex-
as Hodges assistant. He made
speech at the banquet, in which he re-
lated Hodges record and lauded his
services as senator.
Three high school boys, Maurice
Baird of Herington, Clifford Clark of
Chapman and Dwight Eisenhour OF
Abilene, talked on Jefferson Jackson
and ''the student in politics" About
125 attended
Fifth district politics occupied good
was heard of candidates. l.. E.. Bond
of SaIina, and George Hanna of Gay
were prominently in the discussion.
Republican disaffection is counted on as
giving hope for next year and 1t was
the keynote of Hodges address.
The Increase in Taxes.
He said in part:
The family row in the Republican
nartv is of no concern to the Demo-
Gratis. 1t is no excuse to say the in
creased levy of nearly million dollars
for tax purposes this year was to meet
a deficit.
ec11tiye of the state a like deficit con-
fronted him. In our county the state
fax has more than doubled in ten years,
and if It is true, as charged by one Re-
nl1blican faction. that the funds were
misapplied, it is chargable solely to Re
publicanism-
The fact that the present admins
tratjon has 134 more employees on the
states payroll than its predecessor, does
not argue we'll for a mininized state
nor does it recommend the
present administration as careful or
a conservative enc.
Mr.. White, the present chief of the
grain department. makes a statement
that his department has dropped all
useless employees and the expenses of
his department are much less than here
tofore.
Paws Respect to Grain Department.
T distinctly remember a bill that was
introduced the latter part of the legis-
lative session, and at that time it was
rumored that Mr.. White was to be the
Sppointee. That enactment Increased
the salary of the chief of the grain de-
Iartment from $1,S0O to $4,000 a year.
The salary may not have been COM
nlensurate with the obligations of the
office, but it is not compatible with
square deal statement to try to boost
6 salary to suit an eXpectant official.
In my opinion the antipass and pri-
mary election laws are the most i'm
portant enactments that have become
statutory provisions in years.
An element of the Republican party