Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-04-21
WILL GATHER AT TOPEKA


efs OF the political ueNeiOPn4Sn.s eAS
now prophecying that the open con-
ference Of the Republican supporters
Of Thos. o. Wagstaff Of Indepen-
dence, to Be- held in Topeka Thurs
day, April 21sts will be one Of the
most important and portenticus poll
teal gatherings Of the year in Kan
sas. Adyices received at Wagstaff
headquarters are to the effect that
every district in the state Will be
represented at the conference by q
large delegation and 1t is the expec-
tation that the meeting will take on
something Of the nature Of Re-
publican convention except for the
fact that no nominations are to be
made.
The meeting is to be an open one
to all Republicans who believe in up
holding the national administration
and checking the insurgency which
is building Democratic hopes that
Democracy may be returned to power,
It is to this element Of the Republic
can party that wagstaff makes his
strongest appeal and the surprising
rate at which his strength is growing
makes 1t apparent that such an APP
peal is popular.
The conference will be made up
OF both rank and file and the reports
coming in from the various counties
indicate that there will be many new
faces as hundreds of young men over
the state are taking an interest IN
the conference. Most Of these are
young men who have not before TAX
en- an active part in state politics.
The invitation to attend the confer
ence is general to Republicans.
Besides Mr., Wagstaff's address,
which will naturally be feature Of
the conference, interest is lent by the
Ne
novel fact that three living ex-Gov-
errors, W. e. Stanley, W. J. Bailey
and e. w. Hoch, are to be present ana
make addresses. All three are en-
thusiastic and active supporters OF
Wagstaff. Other prominent Kansans
will speak during the afternoon and
evening.
At Wagstaff headquarters in To-
peka the supporters of the Montgom-
cry county candidate are outspoken
In their expectation that Thursdays
meeting will be a history maker and
that it will take place as one OF the
biggest political meetings ofsits char
acter ever held in the state. Their
expectations are based upon the cor
respondence coming in from pract-
cally every county in the state show
ing that Wagstaff is g0ining strength
very rapidly, his strongest supporters
in many cases being men who two
years ago actively supported Stubbs.
Just as an instance, list was re-
ceived yesterday from one county
seat town in the Sixth district, CIV
ing the names of twenty-five voters
who two years ago actively supported
Stubs who have this year signed
Wagstaff's nominating petitions. Like
instances might be cited from dozen
other counties although the work OF
circulating the petitions Of the Mont
gomery county man is hardly under
way yet.
It is not only at Wagstaff head
quarters that such reports are being
received either. 1t has developed
during the past few days that Cover
nor lstubbs is considerably exercised
at the political situation. At first
he and his friends were inclined to
view wagstaff's candidacy with com
placency. Now they realize that
change Of 5000 votes would have
defeated Stubs at the primary two
years ago and they are beginning to
sense the fact that Stubs is material
ly weaker than he was then. They
are now admitting quietly and In
measure confidentially that Stubs
must fight for his political life and
stubbs is laying plans for an active
campaign of the same sort he con-
Quoted in 1908.
Wagstaffs friends are awaiting
until after the conference THURSDAY
to get hard at work, realizing that
from information now received the
meeting will be startling demon
stration Of the strength Of their
candidate and that II It is as sue
cessful as now anticipated the con-
ference will 90 far toward crystal
iizIng the support Of the Montgomery
county man ana make more easy the