The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-03
J. Ralph Burton Suggests Him
for the Presidency.
Puts the Matter Squarely Up to
j. l.. BristOw.
KANSAS INDIAN is MODEST
He Favors an UNRESTRICTED
Delegation to Convention.
Word From Utilities Commits
sion Head Anxiously Awaited.

Joseph L. Bristow's declaration for
an instructed delegation to the Repub-
lican national convention has hit
snag-at least SO far as Bristow is
concerned. J. Ralph Burton, former
United States senator, and Bristows
business, personal and political enemy,
has endorsed Bristow's stand and sug-
gested that Bristow and his friends
launch boom for Charles Curtis of
Kansas for the presidency.
The real political fight in Kansas
has been between the Curtis-Bristow
factions concerning an instructed del
egatlon to the next national conven-
ton. Senator Curtis has maintained
that Kansas has no favorite son in the
running and should send a delegation
free to use its best Judgment. Bristow
has opposed the idea by declaring that
the delegation should carry instruc-
tions. The issue threatens to involve
every politician of prominence in the
state and BurtOn'S suggestion Of q
bound delegation for Curtis may run
Bristow up a tree if the boom should
should take root
1t is known that Bristow is ambi-
uous to return to the United States
senate. 1t is also regarded as not i'm
probable that Governor C'apper PLAYED
clever politics in the appointment of
the retiring senator to the head of the
utilities commission. His action re-
warded Bristow for keeping faith il,
appointment would make Bristow's
activities in his own behalf more or
less embarras sing should Capper him
self desire to run for senator in 1915.
for Curtis who defeated Bristow fo~
denomination! Horrors, 1T would be
a nightmare to the angular SaIina
statesman who presides over the uttl-
tiles commission.
Burton's Endorsement.
No man in Kansas knows these facts
better than does j. Ralph Burton. And
sitting at his typewriter, Burton en-
dorsed Bristow's stand for an in
structed delegation.
Il am inclined to agree with my
townsman and brother, ex-Hon. J. L.
Bristow, in advising that Kansas Re
publicans instruct their delegates"
Burton wrote. Then he adds: "Nor
do / agree with Senator Curtis that
Kansas has no favorite son. Whether
do not knows but think Kansas
Republicans do have a favorite son;
and his name is Charles Curtis. Since
the Republicans of Kansas must dis
cover their candidate, why not invite
their attention to 19uFtis.''
atory comment orffthe Curtis Record
all of which is gall andaMormwood to
Bristow. Burton is even sosiankind as to
that Stubs, who defeated Cur
tbs for denomination in 1912 was badly
beaten at the polls-beaten with Bris-
tow's support. And two years later,
Burton mentions, sBristow himself was
retired by Curtis and Curtis was
elected.
can enthusiastic campaign can be
waged for Curtis" continues Burton.
Curtis, the Indian from Kansas-and
it is in the cards to nominate him.
Kansas does have a favorite son, and
Bristow is right in saying the state
should instruct it's delegates. 1t is up
to the Republican organization-the
Republican leaders of the state-to
plant the flag of Kansas very high in
the next Republican national conven-
ton. Have they the intelligence and
to do it?"
The reply which Bristow will send
back to the Burton editorial will at
tract attention of Kansas politicians to
the columns of the Bristow paper for
sAVPral