The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-24
STILL IN The AIR
Efforts to Clear Second District
Muddle Futile.
Plan for Square Dealers to
Draw Straws Fails.
LET BEST MAN WIN
That Is Declaration of Senator
J. L. Brady.
Committee Will Meet Monday in
Kansas City.
LET BEST MAN WIZ

While a storm of criticism and
abuse has swept over the Second dis
trict and even the entire state over
the action of the congressional com
mittee for that district in deciding to
name the congressional nominee for
the Mitchell seat, yet the committee
members have been silent during all
the agitation. 1t is not known what
the committee will do when it meets
next Monday at Kansas City to select
a candidate. There have been re-
ports, based on good authority. that it
viii rescind It's former action and call
primary election first forcing the
four progressive candidates to draw
straws to see who shall oppose Char
lie Scott for the nomination
On the other hand, it is said that
the progressive committee viii stand
pat and 30 ahead and nominate Guy
or as agreed upon at the committee
meeting some weeks ago. In fact
the committee would have to nomi-
nate Guyer If it makes a nomination.
as all the other candidates have gone
on record as refusing to accept a
committee nomination. They know
full well that a committee nominee
could not be dected.
1t is said thar some of the commit
tee members are so bitterly opposed
to Scott that they would prefer
Democrat to his election.
On the other hand it is asserted by
Senator J. l. Brady and Representa-
tive A. NJ keene, both progressive
candidates for the nomination. that
they are not opposed to Scott any
more than any one else. They will
agree to support Scott for election if
he is nominated. Senator Brady
spoke strongly and TO the point to-
day when asked about the situation.
He said.
Brady Opposed to Drawing Straws.
This Second district matter has
been garbled and misconstrued. It is
a matter of principle with me. [ am
opposed to any scheme of drawing
straws or the elimination of any can
didate or candidates. 7 want a pri-
mary election where every man has a
show for his white alley. Where ev-
cry candidate can go before the peo-
ple and make his fight with a square
deal assured before hand-let the best
man win. If that is Charlie Scott,
we'll and good. If he gets more votes
than any other man for the place,
then he is entitled to the nomination,
no matter what any one thinks or be-
leves or wants.
'I am for a primary. all the time.
J viii listen to no compromise or ac-
cept no scheme. Another thing, this
talk about the opposition to Scott
being responsible for the committee 8
action. is all rot. The committee ac-
tion was taken because Guyer die
tated it and could get the nomination
in no other way. 1t was made in
Guyers interest, and not in oppo-
sition to Scott.
"As soon as the committee nomi-
mates Guyer ] shall appear before the
state contest board and contest that
nomination. I have the papers pre-
pared and Will file them at once"
tt has been predicted freely on all
sides. progressive and regular. all
over the state, that if the committee
nomination is persisted In in the Sec
ond district, that it will result in the
election of a Democrat.
The Wichita Beacon and its bril-
liant editor, Henry Allen is leading a
fight on MurdOck in the Eighth dis
trict that may make the red-headed
one trouble next summer. Many in
fluential Republicans from all the
counties of the district are coming
out of the woods and joining the
movement Here is a sample of one
of Murdock's rebellious subjects as
set forth in the Beacon
sheldon Stoddard, a prominent Re
publican worker. not only in Sedgwicz
county. but with extensive acquaint-
anceship in other counties of the
Eighth district, says he is going TO
join the anti -Murdock revolt.
mr.. Stoddard was a former sheriff
of Rice county and during Governor
Stanley's administration was governor
of the old soldiers home at Dodge City.
He was in the Great Bend convention
which nominated Victor MurdoCk for
congress and has been an ardent sup
porter Of his since.
I have stuck by the Murdocks like
bunch of burdocks in a buck 8
fleece said Mr.. Stoddard this morning.
&c I have been an ardent friend of ali
the MurdOcks and have always beer
glad of their repeated success In max
ing connection with the public treas
ury. but I am disgusted through and
through with their present conduct.
Thev have had thousands upon thou
sands of dollars from the city, state AID
national spoils. They are still receiving
large benefits from the public. I'll ey
ought to be grateful and helpful to the
community, but have come to the
conclusion within the last few weeks
that there is no such thing as gratituds
i'm the MurdOck tribe. The only way tO
keep them even quiet and harmless is
to give them everything in sight. As
one citizen, I am opposed to this policy
being pursued any longer The present
row they are creating in this COM
munity has turned my stomach 1t is
unjust uncalled for, and IS the out
come Of the porker instinct. have
nothing personally against Victor Muir
dock but if he is not a big enough mar
to control his own paper and make il
pursue a decent policy in Wichita, ther
he is not a big enough man to be il
congress-
The following philosophy from
Judge Smart of ottawa on the futilit,
and sordid smallness of a congress
mans career is worth reproduction:
ottawa Republic. It became know
today that Judge C A. Smart of tn
district court had decisively announce,
that he is not in the race for congress
In this district.
Judge Smart was seen at his ofhcl