The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-18
POLITICAL GOSSIP
That Narrow Margin of Victory
for Next Governor.
1t Will Cause Lots of Grief in
Giving Out Jobs.

The winner of the Kansas guber-
material contest will be confronted
with more embarrassment in the dis
tribution of state patronage than has
faced any Kansas governor in the last
decade. And the willy politicians of
both parties and all factions are smil-
1ngly awaiting the certain storm that
will break in the state house once
the governorship race is finally de-
cided-
There is a reason for this trouble.
And that reason lies in the absolutely
narrow margin by which either Cap
per or Hodges will win the fight That
small majority of 25 or so votes will
be a living milestone around the neck
of the next Kansas governor and try
as he may he will be unable to shake
it off. And this narrow margin of a
few votes will add to the uncertainty
of the new state appointees and will
hamper the footsteps and progress of
the next state executive
Out over the state there are hun
dredS of men who have by day and
by night dreamed of a nice soft state
jOb-One with an easy chair, not too
much work, a pay check that is GER
tain and affords a substantial living
and a home on the paved streets. For
years these men have quietly dreamed
and planned. And now every one of
them believes that his dream is about
to come true.
Suppose Hodges should win by say
% or so votes? Every ward politician,
every precinct committeeman, every
peanut statesman and every one cyIin-
der campaign orator of the Demo-
cratic vintage could figure on the fin
gers of his two hands just how he de-
livered sufficient votes to cover that
majority. Wouldn't that entitle him
to a nice easy job for well, say four
years? Could any governor resist the
argument that enthusiastic worker
might advance? Couldn't anyone real
statesman stayed at home that the
cause would have gone to the ever
lasting bowwows and Hodges defeat
ed? In round numbers there are
probably $500 local statesmen in the
1900 voting precincts of Kansas who
today fully realize and appreciate the
importance of their work in the re-
cent campaign and election. Proba-
bly, everyone of them is correct in his
deductions. But where, oh where,
are the good, soft snaps with which
TO reward the heroes of the recent
battle?
with Capper. it might be a bit eae
Ter. He was backed by the present
state administration. Scarce a girl in
the most humble stenographer's posi-
tion or the highest salaried clerk in
the best appointive office in the state
house, who did not willingly contrib
ute to the recent campaign funds and
help put Capper across in the election.
They did it with a smile-most of
them. For they believed that Capper
would win by good big majority.
And that meant four years more in
the state house. At least that was the
inference they received when they
drew a neat little receipt for their
hard earned cash.
right ahead and reappoint a large
number of the present officials in the
state house and rename the present
heads of a number of the big state in
situations and thus escape a cross |
fire from the fellows on the outside
who want in. But with Hodges it is |
different. Hodges plans call for a |
house cleaning from basement to |
dome. He will name new boards, new |
superintendent, new clerks, new |
stenographers, new janitors and |
sweep to the four winds every man
and woman who is holding position /
under the present administration. And
from over the state will come hun |
dreds of volunteers to fill these vacan- (
cies. They will not come empty hand |
ed and alcne-but with safe. sound, |
sane convincing argument And then
Hodges real troubles will begin.
Perhaps sometimes you may have
dreamed of the honor and glory of
being governor, of a home in the gov /
ernor'S mansion. But how would you /
like to be elected governor by about /!
. ) majority and wake up the morning |
after the inauguration with $500 will /
ing party workers standing at the front !
door awaiting their appointment to !
nice soft jobs in payment for carrying |
the state.
The Democrats and the women of Hern- !
don, Rawlins county, Joined in a celebra |
ton in that town last week in appreciG- !
ton of their recent victories. The Dem |
oc-ats recounted their victories in tle |
state and nation and the election OF James |
Malone to the state senate On the other |
hand the Herndon women celebrated the /
passage of the suffrage amendment
James Malone. state Senator-elect from |
he Thirty-ninth district. is q resident OF |
TIerndon and is popular in Rawlins coIn- !
ty He attended the festivities and helped I
TO pile several wagon loads of boxes. bar I
Tels, straw and Russian thistles on a big /
bonfire Two years ago Malone was |
member of the house and this year was /
elected to the state senate over W. Il. |
Ward of Sharon Springs. Malone is en- /
gagged in the milling business in HerndoC. /
Frank 5. Rockefeller. Democratic nomi- /
nee for representative in Russell county. /
defeated in the recent election by |
Henry NJ. Laing. a Republican. Two years |
ago Rockefeller was the Democratic nomi- !
nee for congress in the Sixth district and /
was beaten in the election by Congress /
man I. d. Young This year Young went !
down to defeat at the hands of John r. /
Connolly.
The mere fact that he was defeated in
the recent election does not discourage
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