The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-17


Since the harmony movement took
in Kansas, the attitude of Capper to-
ward the gubernatorial nomination
has been matter of speculation
among political observers in the state.
When Capper refused to enter the
Progressive conference in. Topeka this
week, it was assumed by many of
the men wise in politics that the To-
peka publisher was counting another
gubernatorial nomination. Now comes
the eastern dispatches indicating that
in the last few weeks Capper has con-
fided to his more intimate friends
that he expects to enter the race for
a second time.
That Capper would at some future
time receive another chance at the
Kansas governorship has never been
disputed since it became known that
the Topeka man was using his in
fluence to bring together the divided
factions of the party. 1t was this
division within the party that lost
Capper the election last fall by SO
votes. So, when in the. face of his
defeat, Capper went to work to pick
up the scattered remnants of the
party, he at once won the commenda-
ton of some of the men within the
party who a few months ago were
most bitter in their fight against him.
But whether Capper would hasten to
get into the running next year, or
would bide his time and await a more
favorable opportunity when election
was more certain, was a question on
which there was a considerable diff
ference of opinion.
Only this week the Progressive
party leaders of the state came to To-
peka to throw rocks at the harmony
Stubbs, Jackson, Dolley, Sartin, Stan
nard, Brady and a score of others
all men with whom Capper has train
ed in former political battles-but
(ya e-So TO
in active politics, the action of Capper
in refusing to attend the meeting was
just as significant as the action of J.
N. Dolley in cutting the strings that
bound him to the Republican party
and jumping body and soul into the
new political movement
Yet in his office the next day, Cap
per declared that he was merely fol- /
lowing the dictates of his own con-
science and not outlining a program
with any hope that he might get into
the 1914 campaign as a candidate for
office Capper also made clear that
he had not Joined the Progressive |
party, stated that he believed many |
harmony, but didn't know, he said, |
he himself would attend the |
harmony meeting in June.
But Capper might still stay away |
from the harmony meeting, it is |
urged, and not damage his chances |
for a Republican nomination next I
year. The harmony meeting is faith |
cred by Senator James A. Troutman. |
Since the Kansas Day banquet in |
January, Troutman has been touted |
as probable gubernatorial candidate. |
And it would hardly be in accord with |
the prescribed rules of the game for |
Capper to be too enthusiastic in heap |
ing success on movement launched |
by a probable opponent for the nomi-
nation. Yet Capper has told his To-
peka friends that he wants harmony.
But the amount of harmony collected |
N the next II months will probably |
determine whether Capper will seek
his second gubernatorial nomination
next year or wait until the running |
looks more profitable.
Charlie Sessions and Warden J. x. |
Codding are spoken of as harmony
for governor and have
many supporters.