The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-09
LOOK TO HODGES.
Democratic Leaders Believe
That He VIII Win.
Hope There Will Be No Opposi.
tiOn in Primary.
WHAT OF BILLIARD.
Topeka Man May Have to Be
ReckOned With.
The Republican Atmosphere Is
Not Clearing.
WHAT OF BILLIARD

Now that Senator George H. Hodges
has decided to make the race for the
Democratic nomination for governor
the atmosphere may clear in the camp
of the Bourbons. The Olathe man will
no doubt have opposition at the pri-
mary but he is the logical candidate
and should win the flag by a comfor-
table margin. He made a great race
for governor last summer. His cam
paign of the state was thorough. He
| makes good speech and has pleas
ing personality. He cut the normal Re
publican majority perilously low.
1t is true that several able and well
known Democrats have been mentioned
In connection with the nomination but
1T is not likely that they will oppose
Hodges. James Orr. of Atchison, Sena-
tor Fred Robertson of RawlinS and our
own mayor, J. B. Billiard, have been
talked of for the place, but that was
while Hodges was being groomed for
the senatorial nomination.
But Hodges did not care to oppose
Hugh Farrelley of Chanute, who like
Hodges, had made the race before. So
the friends of the fiery little senator
hope that no one will oppose Hodges
second effort to land in the state house.
Hodges Opposed to Resubmission.
Senator Hodges of Olathe said when
! asked to discuss Mayor Billiards. can
didacy:
81 am against any proposal to run
Mayor J. B. Billiard of Topeka or any
! other man for governor on the Demo-
cratic ticket with resubmission of the
| prohibitory law as a part of the plat
form. l want to say, and say it en-
phatically, that 80 per cent of the
Democrats of Kansas are against re-
submission"
So the plan to have the Democrats
resubmit the prohibitory law does not
only get no sympathy from Mr.. Hodges
but more than that he proposes to fight
that kind of a plan to a finish.
! Hodges has been much urged to get
into the race for United States sepa-
tor next year. He was doomed for
the senatorial toga during the legisla-
ture to the extent that practically
every Democrat who held a seat in the
senate or house this winter talked of
Hodges for United States senator.
When the Democrats held their an
nuaI love feast and banquet in Topeka
several weeks ago, the talk of Hodges
for United States senator was at high
tide.
But with the advent of the boom for
| Billiard, and the talk that an effort
would be made to put resubmission into
the Democratic platform, Hodges has
| heard from many Democrats urging
him to get into the gubernatorial race
next year and wrest the nomination
from Billiard. This promises Lively
time in the Democratic party next year.
Hodges was asked whether he will
run for senator or for governor. He
| absolutely refused to talk about the
matter He would express himself
neither way, but those who ought to
know say it is certain that he will run
| for one of the two places. He is one
of the Idols of Kansas Democracy. and
| by many is hailed as certain winner
next year.
On the Republican side the fog has
not lifted. No one name or personality
| of the dozen candidates mentioned
predominates. There areno Stubbes left
| to take Stubs place as the state lead
er.
1t is a most peculiar situation. A
/ bitter fight in the primary may mean
| the loss of the election to the Demo-
Gratis. No one of the candidates men
toned but that could be bluffed out
| of the race by the certainty that he
had to face a hard fight to win the
| nomination. The massacre of the head
of the party ticket last year is remem-
bered by all. Democratic votes saved
the head of the Republican state tick
| et The next nominee must have his
party behind him to win, for none OF
the candidates mentioned so far can
hope to win as many Republican votes
| as did Stubbs last November.
The Republican nominee must be able
to face a cracking good campaiSner in
the person of this man Hodges. He
| must carry the flag on lively firing
| line. Governor StubbS, recognized as
| the best campaigner of them all, fought
Hod. -es last summer. The Olathe lum-
| herman will have no Stubs to face
next summer. he will waltz in at a
iiyelv rate and force the fighting un-
less some campaigner of caliber is op-
posed to him.
Of all the men mentioned to carry the
| Republican flag in the next battle not
one is qualified to make rough ana
tumble, aggressive, effective campaign.
By the way, John Dawson, Scotchman,
debater from the headwaters, and at
torney general, is the only campaigner
left to make a Stuobs fight against the
Hodge person, and he has not been
considered.
Stanley. Bailey, Hoch and Stubs
were all great campaigners and they
won their stripes in action from the
platform by meeting all corners and
| never giving an inch in debate.
The Republican hope who beats
Hodges on the stump must be a good
two-handed fighter, clever on his feet,
possess a punch and be able to assirni-
late a lot of punishment The Scotch
man has it on them all in these quail
fications.
j The Kansas voters who are keeping
tab on the tariff debates and votes in
congress will have plenty of food for re-
Election in the returns from the last
vote on the free list bill in the national
house. 1t Will De Tenl0InD6FeO lnslI the
four successful insurgent congressional
nominees made the campaign from the
same platform. Yet they are divided
on the new tariff bill. The pioneer
progressives, Murdoch and Madison
voted for the free list and jackson
voted with Them Yet Rees and Young
progressives. voted against the meas
. ure. Those two old regulars, Anthony
and Campbell, also split on the bill. the
former voting for and the latter agains
the measure. Mitchell, progressive, was
absent.
I Who will have To exnlair To the folks