The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-04
Supporters Full of Confidence
When They Make Plans.
DOLLEY A CANDIDATE
Will Run for Representative
Again in Wabaunsee.
His Home Paper BOOms Him
for Governor.

today to express himself in regard to
the Wagstaf conference and statement
of platform last Saturday. he had
nothing to say "At the proper time
I will open my campaign for gov
ernor," he said but right now
have no statement to make" The
governor did not appear to be worried
over anything. Rather. he was in a
most cheerful frame of mind and
talked enthusiastically about the
wealth of apple and peach blossoms on
his grounds at Lawrence. where he
spent Sunday. The governor will make
an automobile trip of the southwest
counties of the state the last of this
month. But then that trip was planned
before the Wagstaff conference of last
Saturday.
When the Wagstaff managers decid-
ed to call the Topeka conference of
letters of invitation to party leaders
over the state to meet here. Forty
politicians were present at the confer
ence. So the attendance was larger
than expected. And the confidence and
enthusiasm just oozed out of these
Wagstaff supporters. Their reports
from their home counties indicated a
landslide for Wagstaff. even after be-
ing discounted 40 to so per cent. But
do these men represent their home
districts? Are they in close touch with
the mass of the voters at home?
The politicians have, without excep-
ton, been poor gueSSerS when Gov
ernor Stubs was concerned. He has
beaten them with monotonous regular
ity at every turn in his road to politi-
cal prestige.
It is a hard task and one rarely ac-
complished to beat a state official for
a second term. Even weak man
with no record to speak Of behind him.
And Stubs is a strong man, and he
has a fine record to show for his year
in the governors office.
But on the other hand, certain
square deal supporters and newspapers
have been inclined to laugh at Wag.
staff and to treat his entrance upon
the stage of state politics as a joke.
These people are making the mistake
of their lives and they are not real
friends of Governor Stubs. The Wag-
staff candidacy for governor is not a
matter for levity. Any one who attend
ed the conference at the National hotel
Saturday could see the serious and the
earnest side without any difficulty
Plans were laid at that meeting for
a campaign to embrace every county in
the state. All sections were represent
ed. The men behind the Montgomery
ence and they know what a jest is
worth when applied to political scrap.
They only hope that the square dealers
will continue to consider the fight on
d
months longer. These Wagstaff ''wag-
gers talked and acted Saturday like
men who had started out to lead
forlorn hope and found when they act
ually arrived on the field that they had
a fair chance to win. They had start
ed out to command a skirmish line and
they remained to discuss the plans of
battle for their army. The sceptics pres
emit became interested and the scoffers
staid to cheer.
Men who knew Wagstaff four or five
years ago when he made the fight on
the Montgomery joints and delivered
a speech at the Kansas Day banquet
came to the conclusion that the young
man had developed rapidly. He made
a short talk Saturday that sounded like
the real thing. tom will put up an
article of talk during the campaign
worthy of the governor when they meet
ON the stump" said Topeka man pres
ent who is nonpartisan so far as the
factional fight Is concerned. And Tom
has a smile that is worth a million
dollars to him in campaign. Stubs
laughs out loud and wins votes, but
Wagstaff just smiles and picks them
off the bushes"
The indications Saturday looked good.
But one can get a better line on the
real thing when the Wagstaff campaign
is opened in earnest the latter part of
this month. Wagstan may do as well
as Leland two years ago, and he may
do better, but there Is nothing sub
stantial to indicate the latter guess as
yet.
The Alma Signal, published in ]. N.
home county of Wabaunsee, an
nounces the candidacy of Mr.. Dolley
for reelection to the house of represent
tatives The Signal at this time sees
in Mr.. DolIey gubernatOrial timber two
years hence. Mr.. Dolley's record in
state politics doubtless justifies the Sig
nails praise when it says:
NJ no11 TxTiI1 zf9
for reelection as representative from
county may be stated as
settled fact, lacking only the author
ity of the formal announcement of Mr.
Dolley himself. In other words, Mr..
Dolley is willing to make the race If
his friends think it the best thing for
the party, and the sentiment of the
party seems to be along that line.
Of Mr.. Dolley that should appeal to
every Wabaunseean, regardless of
party. WabaanSee county never had
place on the political map of the state
er had furnished a state or district
officer until Mr.. Dolley entered state
politics. His election as speaker of
the house of representatives and chair
man of the state central committee
shows that the party III the state recog-
nizes in him a man of unusual
strength, and places this county sec
ond in prominence only to Douglas
county, the home of Governor Stubs
To elect Mr.. Dolley this year by an in
creased majority places Wabaunsee
county squarely in line to furnish the
state her premier officer two years
hence
Ex-Governor Hoch of Marion is
strong for Wagstaf for governor. In
a signed editorial in his Marion Rec
ord, Governor Hoch says:
"Mr. Thos. E. Wagstaff who has an
nounced his candidacy for governor,
subject to the Republican primaries. is
one of the ab1est and strongest men
in the state. As county attorney of