The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-14

party council is only eleven days
away and from the present outlook.
suffrage and prohibition will be chief
verses in the Democratic sorrow song.
NO Republican Agreement.
Then there IL the Republican couh-
cil-held the same day-but under
AS yet the Republican leaders have
not agreed on state chairman. All the
little straws seem to indicate that J.
c. Gafford will be made chairman OF
the Shawnee county committee and
subsequently elected to head, the state
committee. OF course there is the
possibility Of slip. but with the APP
parent certainty that Charles Sessions
will not be q candidate for the job.
Gafford seems to be the most available
Moses for the coming campaign. CAT
ford is now acting chairman. He is
believed to be Arthur Capper's choice
for the place. GaffOrd lacks the wide
personal acquaintance and political ex-
perience which would make Sessions a
declines to become chairman Of the
Shawnee committee. Gafford will be
elected and will probably be placed
at the head OF the state organization.
But that IL not the only trouble Of
the Republicans. They will. of course,
reaffirm the policies outlined in the ma
tional platform Of 1912. will denounce
the Democrats and declare for pro-
tective tariff such as only the Repub-
hcans can give. They will throw bricks
at the Hodges administration. the
state legislature and point out the fail
ure of the Democrats to lower taxes.
Troubles OF Republicans.
Then they will face their own sor-
rows.
That troublesome initiative and ref
erendum and recall will come up for
consideration, no doubt. The old crowd
in the party is against this alleged re-
form. w. A. Calderhead said SO in his
personal platform announcing his can
didacy for congress in the Fifth dis
trict. Two years ago Congressman An
thony voted against the ism in the
party council. There will be more
members Of the Calderhead and An
thony crowd in the party council this
year than sat in the body in 1912. And
their voting strength may be sufficient
to beat the proposed planks.
On the other hand Arthur Capper
and Earl Akers have been champions
of the so-called reforms and helped to
nail them in the platform two years
ago. Running without these planks and
with such companions as Curtis, CAL
derhead, Simmons, Martindale, Dykes
and Campbell-all members of the old
crowd that fought Bristow and Stubs
and the reform crowd-Capper and
Akers may feel a strange sensation of
slipping progresS1veness. And SO 1t 10
a debatable question whether the old
crowd will concede these reform policies
for the sake of adding to the comfort
and peace II mind OF Capper and Ak
ers, or whether they will stand on the
principles advocated and refuse to give
them a place in the declaration OF pFin-
ciples.
MOoscrs Are Harmonious.
As for the Progressives. their council
will be clear and easy sailing. They
will probably re-elect u. 6. Sartin state
chairman, will denounce the old parties
as representing standpat, reactionary
policies. will borrow most of the planks
from the Bull Moose platform of 1912,
change the date, incorporate the name
Of Kansas, adjourn and go home to
fight the common enemy.
But with IT all, Tuesday, August rs,
will be an important day in Topeka,
politically, and much political history
may be made before the meetings ad-
fOurn