The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-22
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Progressive Conference Brings
Joy to Democrats.
They Foresee Victory in Con-.
ing Campaign.
BROWN N fight 10 STAY
Refuses to Sidetrack for Gov
ernor Hodges.
Geo. E.. Tucker Won't Run for
Congress in Fourth.

There was more joy in the hearts OF
Kansas Democrats after the Progres-
sive party conference in Topeka this
week than at any time in many weeks.
The declaration of Stubs. White.
Allen. Sartin, Jackson and others Of the
leaders-backed by the Bull Moose
declaration OF EMBELLISHMENTS q
three cornered fight in Kansas next
year and the Democrats believe they
can hold their own forces sufficient to
sweep the state.
II there was ever any doubt as ~
where the state administration stood
in reference to a third party in Kan
sas, all doubt was removed when tho
Progressives came to town and FOUND
that they had the moral support of the
Democrats and were being aided and
abetted in their light by at least one
wing OF the opposition. All the Demo-
cratic appointees who could possibly
md an excuse to leave the state house.
went to the National hotel and added
to the flames which had already been
kindled in the hearts Of the Progress
sives against the old line Republicans
II any Progressive found his vocabu-
larry short OF sufficient language to
properly declare his independence or
denounce future allegiance to the Re-
Democratic appointee in the lobby who
was willing to come to the rescue.
HODGES App0intees Were There.
Thus there IL a new alignment IN
Kansas. Last year the old crowd in
the Republican party were acting as
FIRST aid to the Democrats. Next year
the Progressives, by standing firm in
their declarations to put a full ticket
in the field, will aid In advancing the
chances for another Democratic VIC
tory a victory even more sweeping in
the state than the one in 1872
So as evidence of appreciation OF this
kindly relief, the Democrats went early
to the Progressive party conference and
stood ready and willing to offer any
suggestion that would sidetrack the
slightest possibility Of fusion Of the Re
publican-Progressive forces. At the
conference was Sam Seaton. pardon
clerk and official press agent for the
Democratic state administration; ]. p.
Casey, deputy state oil inspector; Carl
Peterson, blue sky clerk in the bank
commissioners office: Sam Graybill.
live stock sanitary commissioner. anS
w. p. FEEDER. secretary to the utilities
merely Inquired from time to time
as to the progress Of the meeting. But
Seaton at last, spent the greater por-
ton Of the day helping the Progressives
fix up their program for the next cam
paign.
Seaton and Idvermore.
And back of this strange situation
in Kansas politics was a vein of COM
edy that IL almost pathetic. 1t was in
the presence at the conference OF II.
C. Livermore. Democratic convert to
the Progressive cause; and Sam Sea-
ton, the governors press agent. Lfv-
ermore. Seaton and Governor Hodges
live in the same town-Olathe. Liver
mores contempt for Seaton and
Hodges cannot be fittingly expressed
in newspaper language. Now Liver
more is a probable Progressive candt-
date for state treasurer and the breach
between the three men Is even wider
than before.
Sitting in the lobby Of the hotels.
Livermore expressed his most pro-
found and emphatic hostility for the
governor and his appointee. He did
MT seem to- care particularly who
heard his remarks and 1t might be
suspected that Sam Seaton, who was
talking to a group of Progressives
not 20 feet away, heard the entire
conversation. But SeatOn didn't seem
to care. He was perfectly willing to
help the irate and perturbed Mr.. Liv-
ermore organize a new party.
THE Democratic party is progress
sive and for progressive measures, so
why should we worry II the Progress
eive party puts out a ticket" Seaton
reasoned with group of out of town
visitors.
Then, at intervals. Casey came to
aid the cause and Peterson, who IL q
probable candidate for state office
next year. told the Progressives their
purpose and motives were of a high
order. Not until after the leaders had
passed resolutions denouncing all
overtures on the part of the Repub-
Ncans, did the Democrats sigh with
deep satisfaction. To them, the move
ment meant certain Democratic VIC
tory in 1914.
Brown Comes to Town.