The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-20
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Hodges Makes New Rule for
Kansas Governors.
Announces AppOinteeS Before
Legislative Session.
.REORGANIzE STATE COMMITTEE
Chairman DOlIey Will Call
Members to Topeka.
viii DOIley Stay With the Re-
publican Party?

Il Governor elect George H. Hodges has
established a new and popular rule in
Kansas politics by making early an
nouncement of his important appoint
ments. This action on the part of the
new Democratic governor will not only
| relieve his own mind but will dispel
! political strife and dissension through
! L, months of the legislative session.
In former years new governors have
| withheld their appointments almost I'M
! til the hour of adjournment of the leg
! islature. This action has brought forth
! charges, either true or false. of efforts
| to juggle state patronage and to
strengthen the administration machine.
| One of the greatest reasons for with
holding these appointments by the gov
! ernor has been the ambition of the chief
/ executive to secure the passage of adj
ministration laws and it has been freely
charged that the patronage question
| has al times entered into the drawing
of administration lines in the two
/ houses of the legislature.
But it was Hodges who set new OK
| ample. He will announce all of his i'm
portant appointments early. The
names of his appointees will be sent to
the senate for confirmation early in
the coming session and the dispute as
to places at the Democratic pie counter
will be finally settled long before the
legislature bigins to consider the big
party promises. Hodges has declared
that he has no fear as to the action
the Democratic legislature will take
this winter. In his message he will
strongly urge the enactment of all
Democratic promises into law, but
when the session adjOurns there will
be no kick-back at the new governor
from the standpoint that he withheld
his appointments to secure the passage
of any measure.
It is proba BILE that J. \. Dolley. as
chairman of the Republican state CEN
trail committee, will call special ses-
sion of the state committee early in the
new year. One of the big things to be
considered at this meeting is the ques-
ton of a reorganization of the COM
mittee. And Dolley's own action as
to remaining as chairman of the COM
mittee is a matter of some specula-
ton.
With the organization of the Pro-
gressive party in Kansas, it is claimed
that a number of county chairmen,
who by virtue of that office are mem
hers of the state committee, will re-
sign and go with the new party
These vacancies must be filed. 1t is
to consider these matters that DolleN
proposes to call the state committee
to Topeka in January or early Febru-
airy for special conference.
When the Progressive party was or
ganized, Dolley was not present at the
meeting. Yet Dolley's attitude toward
the new party is a matter of consid-
cradle speculation among political lead
ers. It has been rumored that Dolley
might later withdraw from the state
committee and go with the Progress
sives. But as to these matters he has
declined at all times to make a state
ment Recently Dolley was asked
whether he proposed to remain with
the regular Depublican party or go
with the Progressive party. IT do not
know I have not decided" was the
reply which Dol1ey made to that ques-
ton.
And for the reason that Dolley him.
self is in the doubtful column, even
by his own statement, and the addi-
tional fact that the state committee