The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-20
s. C. drummer and His Old
Political Obligations.
EX-State Chairman Holds Bag
for Republican Campaign.
HOCH DIDN'T PAY.
Governor Baked at Assessment
for Campaign Purposes.
That Was Two Years Ago
Account Never Squared.

There may be glory in managing
the Republican party of Kansas. but
there is at least one man who will say
that there is no money in it.
A little more than two years ago
Schuyler c. drummer was, like Gin
cinnatus, called from the plow in
northern Kansas to preside over the
destinies of the Republican party as
chairman of the state central commit
tee. He was ambitious. talented and
in a small way had been schooled in
politics.
When he was elected chairman of
the state committee the goal of his
ambitions was realized. 1t was proof
positive that he was recognized as the
shrewdest. safest man in the party
organization for it is only the shrewd-
est who are called to this responsible
position. 1t was no easy task which
Mr.. drummer accepted with a willing
hand. There was grave question
whether Governor Hoch could be
elected and the ambitious chairman
realized that the battle would be a
hard. fierce and terrific-if not a
bloody one
There is an old custom which has
prevailed ever since there has been
party that the office holders should
pay the expenses of the campaign for
their reelection and for this purpose
an assessment was levied. This, when
Mr.. drummer took the command, was
ten per cent OF the salaries for one
year and this with the free will and
other offerings furnished the sinews of
war. So Mr.. drummer levied his as
seSSment and went to work Only one
state officer neglected to pay his as
sessment and that was Governor Hoch
himself, but then he was too busy
making speeches to bother with sor-
did details and Chairman drummer
was willing to wait There was an
other officer however, who did not
pay and that was the governors per-
sonal friend, John Q. Royce, whom he
had appointed bank commissioner
but his office was not elective. He
also pleaded for delay and the chair
man didn't worry.
After the smoke of battle had clear
ed away and ii was found that Gov
ernor Hoch had won by narrow
whelmed with con gratu1ations and af-
ter he had b1ushingly acknowledged
the fluctuations which poured in upon
him he set about to cast up his ac-
counts Then he found that he was
just $500 short.
But that didn't worry him
The ten per cent assessment on
Governor Hoch's salary was $500 and
that Of Mr.. Royce $3.50, so that he felt
perfectly at ease.
But, 10, when he called upon the
governor and bank commissioner he
was put off with one excuse or anoth-
er and the money was not forthcom-
ingi Then he went to kind hearted
banker and explained his predicament.
gave his personal note for $500 and
paid all the bills of the campaign.
When renewing time came around he
again dunned the two officials but
again he was disappointed and so he
paid the interest on the note, renewed
il and waited.
At last the time came when Cover
nor Hoch was about to retire in favor
of Walter Roscoe StubbS and Mr..
Drummer who in the meantime had
been appointed a member of the state
tax commission again waited on the
governor to collect the assessment. [.
Mr. drummer reasoned that since
Governor Hoch had garnered snug
sums for his services as a chautauqua
lecturer, while acting as governor.
and since he was the first state execu-
tive to profit by the increase in sal
airy to $4,000 he would not go out of
Office with this old campaign obliga-
ton hanging over his head. But alas
| the former chairman was mistaken
Governor Hoch now plainly told him
that he did not intend to pay the
assessment. He said that he had paid
his own expenses while making the
campaign and that was enough.
Mr. drummer reminded the COVER
nor that he travelled on a pass during
housed and fed as an honored guest
where he spoke; his expenses were
therefore immaterial but he failed to
move the retiring executive to give up
any cash to liquidate that $4,000 note.
Mr. drummer was in the position of
the man who holds the bag in a snipe
hunt
l. Mr.. drummer threatened to resign
his position on the tax commission
but his friends argued that this would
be a poor way to square accounts and
so there the matter stands. The bank
still holds the note for $500 bearing g
interest and Mr.. Crummer'S signature
and when that worthy gentleman has
time from his arduous duties to muse
he wonders whether being the general
of a great campaign is all that it is
supposed to be and whether there is
enough glory in leading the political
hosts to victory to compensate for
that $500 note now running swiftly on
toward 500 in the bank and which
must be paid some day. He may quote
that old saying about a serpent's tooth
and base ingratitude but If he does
no one has ever heard him