The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-10-28
Let the Vote of the People Next
Month Settle 1t.
LOSER Then TO WITHDRAW
Not Allow His Name to Go
Before Legislature.
A Written Agreement-ThOmp-
SON Has Signed 1t.

Judge William II. Thompson, Dem
ocratic nominee for United States SEN
ator, today challenged his opponent,
Governor w. r. Stubbs, to agree that
he would abide by the vote in The
general election November ), and that
if he is defeated he will withdraw
from the fight in the legislature and
help elect his opponent. Thompson
claims that this is the third time he
has invited Stubs to join with him in
such an agreement and that or both
of the former occasions the Kansas
governor has failed to make reply.
According to Thompson's plan, both
candidates will abide by the decision
of the Kansas voters and that the
candidate defeated at the polls viii not
permit his name to go before the leg
islature as a candidate for United
States senator. This plan takes the
burden off the legislative candidates
and makes the vote Tuesday, Novem-
Der 5, strictly binding IN SO far as to
two contesting candidates are con-
cerned. Thompson. however, offers 70
withdraw if he loses the popular ma
jority only on the provision that Stubbs
will follow the same course If he fails
of the popular majority.
In a letter to Governor Stubs today
Thompson said:
10 Governor w. II SLuDDSs
THE Topeka Capital and other pa
pers supporting your candidacy are in
tentiOnally or uninten1tally publishing
articles that tend to confuse the vot-
ers about your and my position re-
specting the popular vote for senator
That there may be no misunderstood
ing about the matter, make you for
the third and last time this PROPOSE
ton: That we join in the inclosed pub
lie statement to be signed by each OF
us, that the one securing the most
votes at the polls November shall
be the candidate before the Legislature
for election and the other to retire in
his favor. This win be in accordance
with the letter and spirit of the ore
gOn law as adopted in Kansas If you
are a believer in popular rule in this
regard, you should not longer hesitate
to accept my proposition. The peO-
pie of this state want their express
sion to settle the senatorship. and are
entitled to know whether you Will
agree to this before they cast their
ballots. Kansas people will not toll
crate any Lorimer business after they
have decided the matter by their votes.
They want it settled at the polls, and
do too. Do you? If you favor it, please
sign one of the duplicate agreements
herewith inclosed and return to me-
retaining one 1 have signed for your
own use. Very respectfully.
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON"
This is the agreement which Thomp-
son proposes and which he has signed.
He now asks that Stubbs attach his
Believing that the election of sena-
tor should be by popular vote. IT is
hereby agreed by William II. Thomp-
son, Democratic nominee for United
States senator, and w. r. Stubbs. Re
publican nomoinee for United States
that SO far s 1t is in our DOW
er we viii bring about the election Of
the man who secures the popular vote
at the coming election, November 3.
1912; and we and each of US hereby
agree to abide by the popular vote.
and withdraw in case the other re-
ceives the highest number of the peo-
pies votes in favor of the party so
receiving such popular vote
Executed in duplicate at Topeka.
this 28th day Of October. 1912.
to become effective only upon the
signature of both parties to this agree
ment.. Signed.
WILLIAM H. THOMPSON"