The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-30
Curtis BriStOW Row Is Drawing
In Governor Capper.
He Is Logical Victim of Breach
Over Delegation.
IGNORES STAND PAT WING
Capper's Appointments Mostly
From Among Moose.
PrOgressiveS Are Happy, but
Regulars Are Anxious.

Unless new Curtis-Bristow row is
healed. Governor Capper can soon for
get his troubles with Democratic job
holders to worry about an uprising
within his own party. In an early
row brewing over Republican presi-
Dental delegation from Kansas. Gov
ernor Capper is the logical victim in
"a possible breach. Both sides claim
Capper's support in the ultimate show
down and the willy governor has been
shrewd enough to dodge an alignment
in the early controversy
Recently Charles Curtis, United
States senator, told Kansans they
should send an uninStructed de1ega-
ton to the national convention. Quite
promptly Joseph L. Bristow, chairman
of the public utilities commission and
former senator. told Kansas that Cur
tbs was mistaken. The forming OF a
low pressure and a high pressure area
in the Kansas political zone meant but
one thing to the political weather
forecasters. They knew that the sit
uation meant a change in conditions
and doubtless considerable precipita-
ton. 1t all came, too, just at time
when Kansas Republicans were pray
ing foc clear skies and warm weather.
Governor Must Suffer.
The most likely man in Kansas to
suffer is the governor. He will be
called upon IN que LlHle 10 Will
the Curtis forces or follow the BriStOw
flag To go with the Curtis crowd
means to ALLEVIATE the favor he has
curried with the progressive wing of
the party. To line up with Bristow,
is an open invitation for a repetition
of the row that split the party in Kan
sas during the 1912 conflict. OF course
the final settlement of the difficulty
is some time in the distance. But the
issue is just as clear as though 1t were
TO he met tomorrow
Since Capper became governor, he
has practically ignored the conserv-
alive wing of the party. His appoint
ments of Bristow, Mercer, Tod and
Howe can hardly be termed recogni-
ton of the old line Republicans. Even
the reappointment of HOch and
Kinkle, original Hodges appointees.
failed to bring joy TO the leaders of
the old crowd.
Capper Becomes Popular.
Distribution of patronage by the
governor has won him friends among
the progressive members of the party
Even William Allen White, Progress
sive national committeeman, declared
as late Monday of this week that
Capper would receive more progress
sive than conservative votes if run
ming on an independent ticket That
Statement didn't tend to promote Cap
per popularity with the men who have
fought and bled and died for a first
class protective tariff and the cardinal
On the other hand, the conserva
tives have said but little. In the main
they supported Capper in the last cleo
ton. They wanted Curtis elected and
the swallowing of Capper was less
Tainful and distasteful than the de-
feat of Curtis at the hands of a Dem
ocrat. But with Capper in the gov
ernor's chair. it has been quite APP
parent that the members of the old
guard have not been high in the in
ner councils of the administration.
They accepted the Capper appoint
ments of men who supported Roose-
welt in 1912 and muttered only among
Themselves.
Demand Recognition.
But now the conservatives are plan
ming to go to Capper and demand rec
ignition. They want and will demand
his support of the Curtis plan for an
uninstructed Kansas delegation in the
next national convention. They will
urge that Kansans individually have
little choice regarding presidential
timber. For that reason they urge
that Kansas should make the most of
that a conservative Republican must
he the presidential nominee to make
the 1916 issue clear and clean cut
In this the conservatives will de-
mand Capper's support-not weak
kneed. apologize or vacillating as
s1stance-but positive and open help.
They are willing that Capper distrib-
ute patronage to the best advantage.
But in the national fight, Capper will
be forced to stand with the conserva-
tiveS or face another breach.
Kansas Strincrs at Reunion.
IA 60