The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-20
H0CH is HERE
Former Governor Says Repub-
licans Act Like Children.
Ought to Quit Making Faces
and Get Together.

1.-THE Republicans in this state ought
to quit their foolishness, stop making
faces at each other and get together.
We have been acting like children.
Why even the Democratic governor in
his message admitted that the legiS-
ton in Kansas had been so progressive
that there wasn't anything for this
session to do so far as the railroads
were concerned"
That was the sentiment expressed
by E. w. Hoch of Marion, former
governor of Kansas as he reviewed the
political situation in this state after an
absence of nearly six months on the
lecture platform. Hoch came to To-
peka last night to attend the first
meeting of the new educational ad-
ministration board to which he was
recently appointed as the Republican
member. After four years on the lee
ture platform. following his admins
tration as governor of Kansas, he has
cancelled his lecture contracts and Will
devote his entire time to the work of
the new educational board.
Hoch is positive in his declaration
that the members of the Republican
party in Kansas are acting like petul-
ant little children. record of so
years of progressive government in the
state and nation, he says, ought to be
enough to convince anyone that the
Republican party is a progressive or
ganization.
Republican Party Is Progressive.
81 always thought 1 was a pro-
gressive and a Republican, said Hoch
in discussing Kansas affairs politically.
eff am wrong, I wish someone with
ample intelligence would set me right.
1t occurs to me that 1 wrote the first
progressive platform in Kansas. What
was more we put it through and have
kept il up ever since. All the progress
i've legislation the state and nation has
had in so years came from the Repub
1ican party. Now we are acting like
lot of little children. How I wish |
could have been here in the last cam
paign and told what 1 thought about
it,
Yes, the former governor of Kan
sas wants harmony. Whether or not
there will be harmony, is quite another
thing-and Hoch is not inclined to
deal extensively in futures-just at
this time.
Republicans in Kansas are prepar
ed to give the people just as pro-
gressive an administration as any
party" continued Hoch, ''and will do
it. feel that I am myself progressive. |
] stand for progressive principles and |
think I go about as far as is requir-
ed"
Here Hoch stopped and smiled.
Although, I will have to admit I
don't just follow them on this Roose-
Welt movement" added the Marion |
man.
Then Hoch turned his thoughts to his |
new work.
'I made my last speech on the lecture |
platform in Chicago Monday, March II. |
1t was my birthday and I thought it a |
good time to stop. For ten months
in the year for four years L have made !
an average of one speech a day 1t has
been a great experience, but have quit |
now and will devote my time to this |
new work"
The New Educational Board.
what do you think of the possibi1i- |
ties of the new educational board, gov
ernor?" was asked.
Il have only read the new law and |
have not been home long enough to
study the matter said Hoch But
term. In fact We gathered a good deal
of valuable information on the sub
ject I really think the board has a
chance to do a great work for the state
and for the educational institutions.
You know I believe that if this thing
is properly handled that it will remove
the rivalry and competition now exist
ing among the different schools and
will remove the hesitation on the part
of future legislatures in making ample
provision for the support of our schools.
Not that 1 do not think they have been
reasonably we'll taken care of in the
past. I am proud of our state insti-
tutions and have had ample opportu-
nifty to compare their work with that |
done in other states. But through this
new board confidence of the people
should be largely restored and the