The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-28
Capper Stirred Nest and Out
1t Came.
Rev. Fl. j. COrwine Makes An.
swer on SpOils System.
He WILL DEBATE MATTER
Issues Challenge-Cites Boys
Industrial School Example.
OF 43 Employees Only Six Are
Democrats.

Rev. H. ]. Corwine, chaplain and pa
role officer at the Topeka Boys Indus
trial school. today issued a challenge
to Arthur Capper. Republican candi-
date for governor, for a series of joint
debates on the merits of the only
plank in the Capper platform so far
annOunced-the Democratic spoils sys-
tenn If Capper will accept the chal-
lenge. Rev. Mr.. Corwine declares, he
Will at once resign his position as a
state employee and will meet the To-
peka publisher in as many debates as
Mr.. Capper will accept.
The Democratic spoils system was the
one proposition on which Mr.. Capper
did not dodge. He declared the system
to be unjust and vicious and demanded
that strict civil service rules be written.
The Capper publications have repeat
edly charged that efficient appointees
have been discharged for political rea-
sons and the public was led to believe
that there was a general house clean
Ing in the state house and all state
departments.
dustrial school. only six are Demo-
Gratis, Rev. Mr.. Corwine declares in
defense of the Hodges administration.
He does not believe that the institu-
tions Of the state have been crippled
to give employment to Democrats and
invites Mr.. Capper to discuss the
spoiiS system in a series Of Joint de-
bates. Rev. MIR. Corwine, who was
formerly pastor of the Third Christian
church in Topeka and chaplain OF the
state senate in 1913, has sent the fol-
lowing letter to Mr.. Capper:
The CorSvine Challenge.
lion. Arthur Capper.
hi
MY Dear sir
Il have read with interest your an
nouncement as candidate for gov
ernor and l note that your paramount
issue is to be the removal of the VIC
ious spoils system from the penal,
reformatory. charitable and education
al institutions of the state. You say
10 fill these institutions with a place.
hunting political incompetents as q re-
ward for campaign services is more
crime against humanity. That
sounds good.
You further say-'Our great need
in Kansas at this time Is not more
party politics, but a real merit system;
not poor, weak pretense of law,
but an honest act SO plain, 80 strong,
that no partisan official nor political
fixer, nor gang of fixers. will dare to
avoid it.. This is heroic.
The inference l take 1t that you
that the present state administration
has subordinated the public good party
expediency in the arrangements of our
state institutions. challenge that
statement. 1 am familiar with one
state institution-the Boys Industrial
school. l know that Governor Hodges
has been solicited, threatened and
bombarded to change Mr.. Charles, the
head of that institution because MI.
Charles was of the opposite party and
ho has refused tn do haCAll9G
the best interests of the institution re-
quired that no change be made.
further know that of the 43 people
on the pay roll at this time. there are
not over six avowed Democrats. 1
further know that only four Of these
six secured their places because they
were Democrats and that the came to
fill vacancies and not to displace any
one
Your paramount issue does not fit
this institution. 1 am convinced that
1t doesn't fit any other institution In
the state. If you are no more familiar
with the condition of affairs over the
state than you are in an institution
right under the dome of the state
house. you will prove an easy mark
when you get out on the stump to dis
cuss your paramount issue. and
would delight in an opportunity to
discuss this issue with you.
II will meet you at any time or
place, at as many times or places as
YOU may select. ! will go with you
from court house to court house, II
you so desire, until we have covered
every county In the state.
IF you accept this challenge 1 Will
resign my position as chaplain and
parole agent at the boys school just
as soon as the arrangements for the
debates are completed, in order that
! may not be accused of talking to
hold my Job, and we will lay on Mac
Duff Yours truly,
III. J. CORwINE."
Capper Won't Debate.
Shortly after 2 o'clock this afternoon,
AR Capper stated that he had not re-
eeived the Corwine letter and knew
nothing of the plan for a series OF
joint debates on the "spoils" system.
."I haven't received a letter from
such a person as Mr.. Corwine." said
Capper. land don't know what 1t Is
about"
He challenges your statement about
the spoils system and suggests ser
les of joint debates on the records.
Will you accept?" asked the reporter.
II am not going into any joint de-
bate or debates with anyone" was
Mr.. Capper's reply.
Haven't Lost q Game.
Winfield. Kan. Feb. 2s.-The Ar