The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-02

for mercantile and insurance firms
were interviewed on the Roosevelt an
quoted. An insurance man said: Il
am opposed to the third term idea. I
think Taft is all right and find senti-
ment generally over the state to that
Among the politicians there was a
still greater tendency to avoid public
expression on the presidency. j. N.
Dolley, state chairman, is looking for
big fight ahead, 20 and did not care to
express an opinion as to the outcome.
W. E. Davis, state auditor: Il think
Roosevelt's position would be stronger
II he had merely said he would accept
the nomination and not have come out
as an open candidate"
John Dawson, attorney general: 81
don't know what to say about it. 1
don't feel very strong one way or the
other. 1t looks like things were get
ting in shape for a schism in the party
that will not heal by November"
ike Lewis, superintendent of insur-
ance: 1T looks like a big scrap ahead.
I talked today with two. men from
Philadelphia. One was German
merchant who mixed in politics. He
thought Taft ought to win and would
win. The other was a lawyer and
politician. He was for Roosevelt and
thought Teddy would win sure. And
opinions from men from the same
city. One. guess is as good as an
other
State Officers Reticent.
Charles Sessions, secretary of state,
when asked how he felt about the
Roosevelt announcement called upon
his assistant to bring club. The re-
porter naturally thought it was to be
used to chase him away and he left
without getting the sentiments of his
former reporter friend. Ex-newspa-
per men are harder to interview than
other men.
Among the state officials who do
not mix in politics it was next to i'm
possible to get an expression. DR..
Crumbine of the board of health talk
ed about his tuberculosis campaign
when asked about the colonel Sec
rotary Coburn replied that Roosevelt,
as an American citizen, out of Jail,
had a perfect right to announce for
the presidency. 'I may announce
myself some day. concluded the sec
rotary with his accustomed gravity.
S. 7. Howe and Judge Burnett of
the tax commission were equally nom
committal. Judge Burnett thought the
Roosevelt entrance " added variety to
the campaign" Mr.. Howe had not
thought much about the matter. He
believed. however, that Taft had made
good president
In talking with Republicans about
Topeka generally Of the rank and file
variety it is surprising how many are
for Taft and how few are for Roose-
nouncement. The straw votes and
polls had indicated an overwhelming
majority for the colonel, but in meet
ing and talking with men here and
there about whose politics the inter-
viewer knows nothing one is led to be-
lieve that in a primary Shawnee coun-
ty would vote for Taft over Roosevelt.
Roosevelt Like Jeffries.
A pool hall man whom the reporter
thought was for Teddy expressed his
and his steady patrons sentiments, he
said, when he put it this way: II
lost my money on Jeffries in the big
fight at Reno. The sports kept after
Jeff until they made him believe he
was as good as he ever was. So he
tried to come back. He didn't. These
governors and a lot of other fool
friends of Roosevelt have made him
believe he is still all to the good. But
he amt 50 good as he was I pick
fer the colonel, too, but it looks like
the Jeffries fight over again to me-"