The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-17
POLITICAL GOSSIP.
CONTINUED from Page one.)


for the state senators and representa-
tives was kept in cold storage during
three sessions of the legislature. The
1913 legislature could have submitted
the amendment again. But 1t was a
Democratic legislature. The state plat
form said something about reducing
the taxes downward and because some
Of the members were inclined to con-
slider the platform promises as sacred
and binding. the plan to increase the
law makers pay never reached the
reading clerks desk.
All Of the legislative members were
frank to admit that they should have
more money Next winter some OF
them propose to try to get it-for fu-
ture members. The senate holds over
another two years and the fight for
the increased pay will probably come
from that house. Several of the 1913
representatives will also try to return
to Topeka next winter. Their expert
ences OF 1913-when they drew $50
for q 5S-hour working day session
10 still fresh in their memory and 1t
will probably require an iron clad,
copper riveted. burglar proof party
platform to induce them to vote
against the measure.
But the added pay is a long dis
tance ahead. Should the amendment
be adopted by a two-thirds vote Of
the two branches Of the state legisla-
ton, it would afford no relief until
1917. Members Of the 1915 session
must serve on the per diem schedule
which was adopted before the high
cost Of living was discovered and
railroad passes were abolished.
Fourth District Moosers.
At least six of the ten counties In
the Fourth district will put Progress
sive county tickets in the field this
year, according to the declarations of
Bull Moose leaders in William Allen
Whites home district. Just to show
the Republicans that the desertion of
their old fellow patriot, Fred S. Jack
son, will not cripple their cause,
Greenwood county Progressives have
announced that they have a. working
county organization and viii nomi-
nate ticket in August. Chase coun-
ty. the home of Joe Mercer. will also
nominate a ticket. So will Coney,
Morris and Wabaunsee countie9 And
of course Lyon county will name a
ticket if-as w. A. White declares
it becomes necessary for he himself
to run for county clerk.
Nov II the Democrats will Just
play true to past FORM" said White.
in discussing the situation with a re-
porter the other day, I'VE will elect at
least a portion of our ticket. In the
past we have always prayed for the
Democrats to fall down or break a
leg or something of the sort. And
they have always done 1t. We have
every hope that they will do it again
this year"
A Boom for Britton.
1t is probable that Kansas Demo-
Gratis will elect Frank L. Britton as
president Of their state club at the
annual banquet in Topeka next Mon
day. Britton is an Usage county man,
j is aggressive and popular with the
party leaders in the state. Two years
ago he was the nominee for ieuten-
ant governor and will seek the nomi-
nation again in August. His friends
are now booming his candidacy for
president Of the state organization to
succeed Miles H. Mulroy who was
elected a year ago.
No Time for Dodging.
I Clyde H. Knox in the Independence
Reporter, declares that the Republic
can party in Kansas must stand for
something this year and should write
! a platform before the primaries and
not after the candidates are pomi-
mated. To dodge the pre-primary con-
vention. says Knox, means defeat to
the state ticket in November.
This is the Knox view of the situa-
ton:
| his friends wants to see the party de-
/ feated at the polls if such defeat can
De avoided In any nOnOTdOle HduAet'
But the party in Kansas just now Is
drifting aimlessly about because the
public does not know what 1t stands
for The sooner q declaration OF
principles can be made the better II
will be for all concerned.
"The Progressives at Topeka did ex-
actly what the Republicans should
do-find out what they stood fol
and then showed the courage to lei
those principles be known. The voters
! will thus have the Progressive plat
form before them from now until the
primary and If they like it they via
go into the primary and demand the
ballot of that party. In a word, they
will become Progressives. And dur.
ing all this time no one will know ol
cans stand for. Unless the proposed
anteprimary convention Is held and {
platform adopted. the voters viii b