The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-23
HE'S FOR CHAMP CLARK.
f. S. THOMAS Believes Kansas Demo-
Gratis should Support Him.

Frank S. Thomas of Topeka. is one
of the few Kansas Democrats who
favors Champ Clark for president
"In view of the fact that Mr.. TAFT
has opened his political campaign by
tour OF the west, it naturally causes
Democrats to begin to discuss who is
the most available. Democratic candl-
date for the presidency. The three
men mentioned most prominently, OF
course, are Woodrow Wilson, Champ
Clark and Governor Harmon In my
humble estimation Champ Clark is the
most available candidate and If had
my choice the ticket would be Clark
president I regard Woodrow Wilson
as a magnidcent man and his senti-
ments meet my humble approval They
are thoroughly Democratic and fully
in accord with progressive Democracy.
but Mr.. Wilson is comparatively
young man and bv profession a. college
president, and while his sentiments are
right he lacks experience
Champ Clark is a man who has
had thirty or forty years experience in
politics in washington He is big,
brainy man and his long experience
pre- erninently fits him for the most
difficult Office in the gift of the people.
Tt must be remembered that a presi-
dent of the United States is compelled
to contend with the smoothest and
most unprincipled pack of rascals ever
all sides and an inexperienced man in
the game of politics is likely to fail
A man like Champ Clark who knows
all the ropes, SO to speak, would be
able to take Care of himself and the
enemies of Democracy as president.
He has made a magnificent record in
the last congress He has made no
mistakes but on the contrary his man
agement of legislative affairs has been
most excellent. From a political
standpoint his knowledge of public af-
fairs and public questions has enabled
him to protect the interests OF the
Democratic party and he has not fall
ed in scarcely an instance to hand the
Republican party many political
lemon as big as a pumpkin. The man
who thinks that experience doesn't
count for much in politics is badly
mistaken.
Il do not care how honest a man
may be nor now good his intentions, if
he lacks experience in the game of pol
itics he is a 'goner' in nine cases out
of ten. If woodrow Wilson would not
accept the nomination for vice presi-
dent he ought to occupy q place in the
cabinet if Clark should be elected
president, and it is probable in view
OF the fact that he is young man
that he would be our most available
candidate eight years hence, after he
had acquired more experience So far
as have observed in Kansas I do not
believe that the sentiment of the state
has crystallized about any man at
present. Mr.. Wilson has had a very
active press bureau for number of
months and almost every Democrat of
prominence has received more or less
of his literature, copies of his speeches
and suggestions to organize Wilson
clubs; in other words, he has naturally
and most properly cultivated the Kan
sas field very extensively, with the re-
suit that he has been considerably dis
cussed and being absolutely right in
sentiment he has secured the friend
ship of good many Democrats.
ION the other hand, Mr.. Clark, as
we all know, has had his hands full
furthering the best interests of the
Democratic party at the most vital
point in congress and will do so in the
next congress as the speaker of the
house. and the Democrats of the coun-
try have watched his every move with
interest and approval. I do
not understand that he has declared
himself a candidate, but there are a
great many Democrats in Kansas who
have expressed themselves as pre-
ferring Mr.. Clark, if he is a candidate, |
and it seems to me the time is ripe
for him to declare himself to the end
that his many friends in every state
in the Union can get to work in his
interest.
Probably without exception Clark
is the best posted man politically in
the Democratic party and his entire
career has been one characterized by
the strictest integrity and patriotism.
He is thoroughly American, thorough |
Iy democratic and thoroughly pro-
gressive in every sense of the word |
and I repeat that his thirty or forty |
years of experience is invaluable to |
himself and the Democratic party and |
makes him by far the most available !
candidate.
'I see it stated that Champ Clark |
IS satisfactory to the Bryan people and |
it is a short sighted Democrat that
does not comprehend that Mr.. Bryan
and his followers are a power in the |
Democratic party that must be con- |
suited. The salvation of this country /
lies with the west and western states
men. The common people, SO called, /
Or the masses of the people, if you |
wish, in the east have about given up |
IN despair the unequal fight against |
might and the dollar. and it is to |
champ Clark's credit that he has never
wavered in that fight during his entire
career in congress.
''Champ Clark is to deliver an adj /
dress in Hutchinson. believe, on the |
24th of September, 1911, and / una aer-
stand that a great many prominent /
Democrats will be in Hutchinson to |
meet him.