The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-25
OUT FOR GOVERNOR.

CONTINUED from Page Ons.l
penal, reformatory. charitable and edu.
cational institutions OF the state Ant
the establishing Of a more economical
and efficient system In handling me
states business. The states welfare
of state government. not the app,r-
tioning out Of Jobs to pay political
debts. To fll these institutions with
place hunting, political incompetents
an rewards for campaign services -
more than a betrayal Of public trust.
IL is a crime against humanity.
'Our great need in Kansas at tbs
time is not more party politics. ont
real merit system: not poor. wcak
pretense of a law, but an honest act
official nor political fixer nor gang OF
fxers. will dare to evade 1t.
Always a Republican.
"I rejoice that in Kansas what is
called the progressive spirit Is beconi-
ing dominant in all the parties. ind
nv own faith in 1t has grown stronger
instead Of diminishing; that have
the keenest sympathy and hope for the
new movements of the time. which
promise SO much for the bettermen,.
prosperity and happiness of struggling
humanity have faith that Kansss
will continue to lead in studying and
solving the great social and economic
ress rests: and it Is only just to say
that almost every step in the great
work of making Kansas the strong.
justice-loving. law-respecting. pre-enii-
nently progressive commonwealth thar
1t is has been due to the intelligence.
courage and progressiveness of the Re-
publican party as party. have hecn
Republican all my life and shall
continue a Republican in political 'aith
because I believe that it Is by mea..s
Of and through the Republican par'y
that the great problems of popular gov
ernment; the problems Of econor-ic
Justice am. social righteousness and
human happiness can be most surely.
most sanely. most justly and mos:
quickly and easily solved.
Third Party a Mistake.
II am firmly convinced that the third
party movement recently begun In this
state is a serious mistake because 1t
can accomplish nothing except possibly
the perpetuation of Democratic misrule
in Kansas. Yet the Republican party
could not for one moment have my sup
port did I not conscientiously believe
that it will continue to be the same
courageous, straightforward. aggres-
sive organization as party of the peo-
pie that for many years 1t has been IN
Kansas, and that it will go forward
fully prepared to meet the greatest
emergency; to respond promptly to the
will of the people. and do battle for
those policies which will ultimately es-
tablish efficiency, honesty and right
eousness in the administration OF the
state government.
The Defeat Of 1912.
II am a second time asking the peo-
pie of Kansas for their support for
the highest executive office Of the state.
There is a widespread belief that a
majority of the legal votes cast for
governor at the election Of 1912 were
in my favor. But a technicality OF law
considered binding by majority OF
the supreme court defeated the plainly
expressed will of the people. The court
said: The ballots ought to have been
counted. In the rejection OF these
ballots a great wrong has been done
wrong not only to the candidates
affected. but to the people OF the state
The court declared the only remedy
was through a contest in the senate.
but declined to engage in a prolong-
ed and probably futile partisan contest
which would disturb legislative bust-
ness without accomplishing the ends of
Justice.
However, 1 am not asking support
at this time because of the miscount
Of the vote at the last election. If
cannot be elected governor this year
strictly on my merits. do not care to
be elected.
II have no entangling alliances. am
not in combination with any other
candidate. I am under obligations to
no individual, no boss, no faction, and
no special interest of any kind. If
elected governor. I shall take the Of
flee untrammelled by a single promise,
expressed or implied. save my public
promises to the voters, and shall be
free to give Kansas a clean, honest.
efficient business administration. with
the same energy and the same strict
attention to the economical expendi-
ture Of the public money that I en-
ploy in my own business.
No Tax ReductiOn-This Time.
II shall make no wild promises, of
great reduction in taxes or impossible
reforms in state government, but do
promise that II elected I shall look
after the business Of the state as !
look after my own: that 1 shall do my
best to keep out the political grafters,
and hangers-on; the useless officials,
clerks and boards; that 1 shall oppose
all extravagant appropriations and
petty rake-offs that waste the peoples
money: work for the lowest taxes pos
sible and make economy, honesty, eff
cheney and humanity the watchwords
In the administration Of the peoples
business.
Promises a Platform.
I believe a candidates campaign
promises should be regarded as
binding and sacred agreement be-
tween him and the people who elect
him. I shall go before the people with
a clean-cut platform dealing with pres
ent-day problems in Kansas: a plain
straightforward statement of the
things I believe my business experience
equips me to do; and my pledges shall
be limited to those believe can hon.
estly fulfill.
Under no circumstances shall I be
dragged into a personal controversy
I shall. to the best of my ability,
conduct a fair and honorable campaign
free from mudslinging and personaii-
ties. and I shall welcome the support