The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-02
Arthur Capper Is an Orator in
Disguise.
Fooled Hodges When He De-
clined Joint Debate.
GRADUATE MAIL ORDER School
TOpekan Won Certificate Two
Years Ago.
Writes Letter Endorsing the
Correspondence Course.


ct have neither the leather lungs.
the adroitness of tongue, nor the i'm
pudent assurance Of the windjammina
epelibinder.....I am unSktlled as a
stump speaker which probably &C
counts in part for the governors clam
orous ardor for a debate. "-Extract
from Arthur Capper's reply to Cover
nor Hodges challenge to joint de-
bate.
July 8, this year, Arthur Capper de-
clined a series Of joint debates with
Governor Hodges on the ground that
he was not a public speaker. Nearly
three years ago-several months be-
fore Capper launched his first guber-
Material campaign-he completed a
from his letter was so pleased that he
wrote q letter of endorsement declar-
ing the course "the best thing of the
kind that has ever been gotten out.
Just why Mr.. Capper lodged series
Of debates on Kansas issues with Gov
ernor Hodges is a puzzle to the polit-
ical leaders who have learned of his
completion of a full mail order course
In oratory. Thus equipped for all
manner OF contests in the heat of a
campaign, 1t was a matter of surprise
that the Republican gubernatorial- can
didate sidc stepped an opportunity to
discuss the tax question and state is
sues with the Democratic governor.
He Goes in for Oratory.
Away back in 1911 when the Stubbs-
Dolley-Jackson crowd had decided that
Arthur Capper should become the sue
cessor to Stubs in the governors
chair. Arthur Capper realized that he
had not devoted proper attention to
forensics and in fact was not equipped
for rough and tumble sessions on the
stump. Most of Mr.. Capper's time had
been devoted to editing newspaper
and being a good citizen and oratory
was one Of the things Of which he had
never felt the real need. But with the
governorship of a state about to be
pushed upon him, Mr.. Capper began to
mediate as to the advantages Of the
oratorical art. He began to inquire as
to the latest and most approved method
Of mastering oratory, without undue
neglect to business and home ties.
1t was at this time that Mr. Capper
learned of New York mail order
school OF oratory or an oratorical
academy which trained men and wom-
en- to defend themselves in joint debate
and the verbal exchange Of compli.
ments. Mr.. Capper bought the full
course.
Completed Course in 1911.
Copies Of a letter dated December 10,
1911, are now being sent broadcast over
the country by the school of oratory.
The letter, produced from a photo
graphic plate, shows that Mr.. Capper
had six months before, the opening of
the 1912 campaign received and mas
tered the last lesson. So proud was he
Of the course that he wrote a terse,
enappy endorsement of the efforts of
the mail order oratorical school to aid
struggling humanity. Mr.. Capper had
followed the course Of instructions
carefully He had mastered the vari-
Gus poses and gestures and was able
to strike the attitude of the offended
and abused martyred statesmen without
N ~ hn hi 1~k< -
endorsement that others might profit
by the knowledge he had gained Of the
speaking game without leaving his Of
fice to take instruction.
All during the 1912 campaign, Kan
ea0 voters received the ADVANTAGE OF
the knowledge Mr.. Capper had gained
through the taking of full course in
mail order oratory. Counted out OF
the Governorship by Republican su-
preme court and Republican contest
board, Mr.. Capper did not throw to
the winds his ability as a speaker and
an orator. During the winter he made
several short talks. Then he again
became a candidate for governor and
addressed a number of women's clubs
mothers meetings and even a chau-
tauqua crowd at Ottawa.
The Governor Was Peeyed.
1T was along about this time that
Governor Hodges took exception te
something the Capper publications said
about the Democratic plan of running
the state government. In an exchange
OF letters between Governor Hodges
j.. G. Gafford as head of the Republf.
can state committee, and Arthur Cap.
per personally, the governor chal.
lenged Capper to a series of Joint de.
bates. OF course the governor didn't
know that Mr.. Capper was q DOS
graduate of an established mail order
school Of oratory. In fact 1t was ar
educational advantage that had beer
- y
did not realize the handicap he sought
when he asked for a debate.
Mr.. Capper, however, either CAV,
way to an act of charity and mere,
toward his common. enemy, the gov
ernor, or he suddenly forgot the ad
vantages he had gained when he wa.
sophomore In the mail order ora
torical college. The Capper answer
to the Hodges challenge conveyed tn,
Impression that the Topeka editor wa,
not an orator.
Capper Hides His Talent.
Personally have paid little atten
ton to the governors clamor for ,
joint debate said Mr. Capper in hi
reply. II have neither the leathe
lungs, the iroitness Of tongue, no
the impudent assurance of the wind
jamming spellbinder. Within the las
two years the people OF Kansas hav'
learned. II they did not know it be
fore. that am unskilled as a STUN,
speaker. which probably accounts ii
part for the governors clamorou
Rrtlor for asdebate.'' x
.Almoet that same day the mail
brought to Topeka copies or the Cap
per endorsement of tho correspond
enee school Of oratory. which traine,
men % plead their cases In court, de
Gend their cause on the floors OF con
gress ana to meet the unnamed lion
Of oratory on the stump. In that let
ter OF endorsement, Capper had said
IT have received the last lesson of tn
course. and want to advise you that
am greatly pleased with the entir
course. It IL undoubtedly the bes
thing Of the kind that has ever bee
gotten out; and feel that It Is wei
worth the honey" ss