The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-23
LESS FIDDLE-FADDLE.

be genuine public sentiment behind
1t I probably wOulc announce my can
didacy for the office Of mayor of To-
peka. Since then 1 have watched the
situation closely. 1 believe there IL
such a sentiment. 1 believe it 10 gen.
uine. / know it has not been inspired
by newspaper publicity or other arti
fetal means. Up to the time this was
written I had made no attempt, per-
sonally. to create an interest in my
candidacy. I have asked but one cit
izen of Topeka whether he was for or
against me, although that is a defect
in my campaign methods, if 1t be
defect, which shall take steps to
remedy in the immediate future. The
fact that hundreds Of my fellow citi-
zens have, without solicitation, vol
unteered their support convinces me
that I have q good chance to be elect
ed. And this may be taken as the for
NAL announcement of my candidacy.
I profess to be no advance agent Of
the millennium. have no Utopian
plan or scheme OF city government to
recommend. I do not wish to reform
or uplift the town. I do not believe
that can, in two short years, make 1t
a great industrial center. Topeka is
q good town. 1t is a much better,
cleaner town. morally and otherwise,
than the average city of its size.
believe it should be kept SO. But, to
my mind what the town needs more
than anything else in it's governmental
function is more plain horse sense ana
ton on the present city government
nor on any of those that have pre-
coded it. They are not on trial be-
fore me. But my ideal of effective
administration is plain horse sense
mixed in equal parts with caution in
expenditures. diligent and capable eff
fort to get the best results possible,
and a fair and proper regard for the
rights and privileges of every citizen.
That Wet and Dry Issue.
I have lived in Topeka nearly four
teen years AS a candidate for mayor
a citizen. I have nothing to conceal.
There Is nothing in my career as either
for which 1 wish to apologize, or which
I would take the trouble to defend. 1t
is supererogation to inject my views
on any proposition into this announce
ment. For nearly fourteen years, on
every working day in the year. have
expressed myself fully, frankly and, I
hope. to the point. on every matter.
either foreign or domestic, that has
engrossed the attention of the town.
AS a candidate for mayor 1 stand pre-
cisely where 1 have stood as a working
newspaper man and as q private citt-
zen. I do not intend to be drawn into
an argument with any citizen, or set Of
citizens, concerning my fitness or
Upon any issue which arises during the
campaign my opinion will be available
to any citizen who cares to ask it.
am not making sfdestepping cam
paign. The voters are entitled to know
exactly where stand. I am perfectly
willing to tell them.
Nothing to Conceal.
| Every city campaign in which I have
participated in Topeka has been largely
waged on the wet" and dry issue.
| icy, I do not know why this
! is SO, but it is so. purpose
taking that bull by the horns now.
I am in favor Of a strict enforcement
Of the prohibitory law. 1 have always
been in favor of its strict enforcement.
stand on this question exactly where
every reputable citizen Of my acQuaint-
ance stands and I wish to make this
point very clear. If any citizen con-
templates casting his ballot for me
upon the theory that will stand for
law violation Of any kind he should
carry it to another market. I never
yet have made a compact with vice or
such compact. II should be elected
mayor Of Topeka this town will be as
tight as a drum.
My purpose in running for mayor
OF Topeka Is not eleemosynary in its
nature. I do not offer myself as a
sacrifice to civic benefit. I am run
ming for mayor primarily because ]
believe. in the event that I can be
elected and make good, that it will
help me. 1t will, 1 believe, give me
some recognition, some prestige, that
can not achieve in the editorial
rooms of newspaper Office. 1 fully
realize that in order to achieve this
recognition, this prestige, L must be q
good mayor. But did not believe ]
could help myself by being mayor ]
wouldn't take the job i. it were hand
ed me on a silver platter.
One thing more: If I am elected
and I expect to be elected, will be
mayor. JAY E. HOUSE.
Drops Bombs in Bruges.
Amsterdam, Jan. 23.-A British air
man TODAY drOpped bombs ON the i'm