Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-12-14
Capper viii Not Contest.

Governor, today gave statement
that he would not start contest in
the State Senate for the office of
Governor. His statement is as fol-
lows:
j believe / was elected Governor by
a plurality of 5000 or more. Accord
ingly, have felt in duty bound to
stand by and defend the choice of the
people. This i have done so long as
there was a fair possibility of rectify-
ing the blunder made by many of the
election judges in rejecting the
thousand of circle and crossmarked
ballots marked in my favor, which
the law expressly states are legal and
should be counted.
In submitting this difficulty to the
Supreme Court of Kansas, 1 appealed
for redress to the highest legal tribun-
al in the State. The court, by a vote
of five to two, under a~technical con-
struction of the law, was unable to
find a remedy other than a recount
several weeks in the future by the
Democratic Senate, very doubtful
expedient for an opponent candidate
looking for justice, merely, instead of
dispute.
In the meantime Mr.. Hodges will
have been inducted into office. He
will, of course, proceed with his
appointments and much of the work
of the Legislature will have been
accomplished before this partisan
board in the Senate can or will take
up and conclude such contest.
Even if the blunder of the election
judges could be righted in political
body at that late hour, which is ex-
tremely doubtful, l can see no hope
that as governor / should be able to
carry out any definite program of
legislation with a hostile political
majority against me in both branches
of the legislature
On the other hand, Mr.. Hodges,
working with Legislature of his
own political faith, will have an ideal
opportunity to serve Kansas. / feel
it is now for the best interest of the
State that Mr.. Hodges, and the party
he represents, be given that oppor
tunity, and that, SO far as may be in
their labor for the public good, that
political difference be forgotten. Mr..
Hodges has my best wishes for the
next two years and / shall be glad to
assist in any way L can in making
his administration one that will be
helpful to the State
/ became a candidate for Governor
strong in the hope that, though pro-
gressive policy and businesslike ad-
ministration, l should be able to do
something still farther worth while
for the State in which / was born
and which has done much for me. L
tried, to the best of my ability, to
conduct clean, clear-cut campaign,
free from mudslinging and person
alities.
The result-though l am deprived
through technicalities of the honor
sought-is not without its compensa-
tions both to me personally and to
the cause l represented. For my
handsome majority in the primary
and my unquestioned election by the
people of Kansas during a time of
political. upheayel and with so many
of the old evil influences still power
fully manifest, 1 am keenly and deep
/ ly appreciative. But more important
than my personal feelings is this cam
paign's contribution to the cause of
more efficient methods in the,.conduct
of popular elections. The spectacle
of the highest tribunal of the State
with its hands hopelessly tied in a
tangle of technicalities, while the
people of the State are thwarted jim
their expressed will, will not, / feel
certain, fail to move Kansas to a
much needed reform both of our elec-
tion laws and of our court procedure
If have one wish for Kansas and
its people more than another, it is
that as time goes on they viii give
more attention instead of less to
public matters and that they will
judge men aud measures more surely,
quickly and truly. We need a live,
active, efficient, progressive, patriotic
and alert popular government through
out Kansas and in every other State.
and the surviving and quickening of
that Kansas spirit which has ever set
us free / shall deem it the highest
privilege of my life to continue to
work as best L may, to that end, and
will encourage and support every
measure in the interest of good
government, no matter from what
political party it comes