The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-15
IN CITY POLITICS.
Summary of the Weeks Events I'm
City Hall Circles.

The citv noliticians. undisturbed by
the legislative doings at the state
house, are carrying on an eager CAIN
paign that promises to present huiiieI
Gus interesting features be1ore the
primaries the last of next month.
Gossin concerning affairs at the CAPT
toll is wider, but no more heated imam
gossip at city hall Candidates nave
been slow in announcing themselves
but commissioner aspirants are pre-
senting themselves daily, assuring 10
cal politicians that the spring elec-
tions will be complicated ana not.
when the present city officers de-
cided TO run for reelection several
weeks ago they made an agreement
to eliminate all wrangleS and disturb
ances until after the primaries, the
latter part of March. The current OF
the city political river is, therefore,
flowing smoothly but swiftly, prom
Using to become turbulent as each en-
ergetic swimmer makes his maj daSh
for the goal
who have entered the mayoralty race
j. B. Billiard, Ed O'Neil and Col. J.
w F. Hughes. There is strong
proba bility that r. l. Cofran VIII
complete the quartet, and posi-
bilitv that John CLANCY and w. F.
Schoch will run. Each of the three
alleged candidates is equally optimis-
tic Mayor Billiard, who is exceeding
~ popular with certain classes, has
received hundreds of signatures to lis
numerous petitions Although Colonel
Hughes is not eager to secure more
than the twenty-five signatures the
law demands, he is confident that his
friends are rallying to his support
with enthusiasm. E. L. ONeI, the
last candidate to announce himself,
is the youngest of the trio He is
feeling encouraged over his prelim-
mary campaign, and denies the re-
port that he has the slightest idea of
withdrawing from the race and an
nouncing himself a candidate for
the office of city commissioner. Mr..
Cofran's friends are anxious that he
shall make public statement of his
candidacy Immediately, and assert
that there is a strong probability of
his being the next mayor of the city
of Topeka.
Roy L. Bone, present commission
er of finance, is expected to have
strong opponent in L. G. BeaL who
will doubtless announce his cand1-
dacy the first of next week. AL
though Mr.. Bea1 has not made his
final decision, his friends declare he
has definitely decided to oppose Mr..
Bone. 1t has been known for week
that James A. Bostic, Santa F'e
switchman, was DESTROYS of becoming
commissioner of finance. Mr.. Bostfc
handed his statement to State jour
Il hereby announce myself as
candidate for the position of commits
sioner of finance and revenue. am
employed by the a. 7. & S. F. Rail-
road company as a switchman, which
vocation l have followed for six years,
have been employed by this company
since JULY I, 1908, have been resi-
dent of the city since March, 1903,
and a property owner since 1907.
have been Identified with organized
Ia Dor and the local labor movement
since 1905. AS to character and pusi-
ness standing, my best reference is
my friends and the business men of
the city with whom l have had deal
ings. 1 am 81 years of age and am
mentally, physically and morally
competent to perform the duties of
this office to the satisfaction of the
taxpayers and citizens generally"
E. b. Stotts, the present popular
commissioner of parks and public
property, has the largest number of
opponents in the field. Richard Will
son, w. L. Porter and William Boil
linger have already announced them
selves. Mr.. StottS is the only COM
missioner who is opposed by more
than two candidates. His petitions
are out, and his friends are confident
of his reelection.
The strongest opponent of H. P.
Miller, commissioner of waterworks
and electric lights, is Frank Newland,
who has had some experience in the
department. Guy l.. Bradford yes
terday announced himself DESTROYS of
the office that Mr.. Miller now holds.
w. G. Tandy, commissioner of
streets and public improvements, is
East side shoemaker. 1t is probable
that Amos Longaker may announce
mis- candidacy for this office, and
possible that Sam Rice may run.