The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-01
Ugly Charges Grow Out of
Lawrence Political Row.
Family Skeletons Barred When
Strife Is Close.
TAFT men FEAR SLUSH FUND
Floating Population Has Been
Purchased in Past.
Governor in Hall, Douglas
County Men Say.

Lawrence, Kan, April This city
has furnished more history, political
and otherwise than any other town
in Kansas. Not since the days of Jim
Lane has there been as much political
excitement as there is in Lawrence at
this time. The cause of all this ex-
citement and row is Taft and Curtis
VS.. Roosevl- and Stubbs. Charges
and counter-charges are flying thick
and fast, and newspaper boys are
standing by, anxiously awaiting for the
explosion to come which is sure to ap-
pear before the county and city pri-
mary which is to take place next Satur-
day.
family skeletons are liable to be pulled
from their hiding places and brought
to the limelight- There are charges
of participation in mobs where inno-
cent men were hanged, charges that
certain Repu blicans peddled Whiskey in
the interest of Democratic candidate
for sheriff in the balmy days of long
ego, charges that certain politicians
were not only booze fighters but
booze Sellers" charges brought down
to date which intimate that certain
wealthy politicians are tax dodgers
and grafters, and the tax records of
Douglas county are cited as proof
There have been signs of war for
some little time between the Taft and
Curtis forces and the Roosevelt and
Stubs crowd, but it has been confined
to little skirnishes between t out
posts of the different factions How
ever, a real declaration of war was
made Saturday when the Taft follow
ers sent challenge to Governor Stubs
demanding that he meet ex-Congress-
man Chas. F. Scott in joint debate ut
the meetings where the governor IS
scheduled to speak this week in Doug
las county.
The Taft followers seem to have the
governor between the devil and the
deep blue sea-" he can not plead other
engagements for he is advertised to
close the campaign an this county, and
he can not plead that he is not being
given fair deal, because this is his
home and he is supposed to have the
advantage of being among his friends
and neighbors. The question is now
what will the governor do? 1t is argued
by his friends and followers as well as
by those who are opposed to him that
ne can not consistently refuse to meet
Mr.. Scott, and his friends are fearful
of the result If he consents to this
joint discussion, for they know that
the governor is no. in the same class
with MI Scott as a speaker or thinker.
Those who are opposed to the gov
ernor are sure that they have him go
ing south, for if he refuses to accept
this challenge they claim that would
be an admission of his own weakness
as well as that of the cause he repre-
sents so strenuously, and If he accepts
the challenge the Taft men are conf
dent that the ex-congr essman would
make a monkey of the governor. and
whichever way he turns he is sure to
lose large number of friends and
much prestige.
Fear Use of SIush Fund.
The Journal representative inter-
viewed a number of the leaders on
both sides today, and they both de
clared that 1t is war to the death. A
number of Taft men, who are men of
influence in the state and nation, and
who have been identified with the Re
publican party in Kansas for over 40
years and whose standing is above re-
proach and can not be questioned told
the Journal correspondent that if
fair contest is held that they will beat
the governor a country block,
The Taft men claim that the only
way that they can be defeated is by
the purchase of the "riff-raff' and
cheap Democrats, and they express the
fear that it will be done.