The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-16
wichita Editor Is Taken to Top
of High Mountain.
Shown Riches of Political
World by the Democrats.
OFFER HIM GOVERNORSHIP
Point Out a Rose Lined Pain 10
State House.
He Remembers That He TraV-
eIed Similar Road in 1914.

Had a recent plan of half dozen
Democratic leaders been reallzeo' ~
apparent record crop or DenocIde -l
INTERNATIONAL candidates would nave
Saon oliYninated and Kansas Democ-
racv would have yelled itself hoaise
for Henry J. Allen of Wichita. pul
Allen couldn't hear the QUIZ U lio
S-overnorship bee as an aid to Demo-
cratic success, and row kansas boul-
bors must start all over AGAIN.
If was some months ago that the
Democratic leaders decided to LEAD
Allen up into the mountains. w ne'i
She Democrats returned from WIciIIeN'
though, they reported that Dei':o-
.rot;c beal1eear did rot fit the Wichita
editor and that Allen declined 10 De
led. Had the plan succeeded Ails -
would have become an independent
candidate for governor next year onu
the Democrats would have MADE nom
est to goodness promises to support
him in the race and enlist all OF the
anti-Capper voters in his behalI-
The plan really looked good TO the
Democrats. They reasoned one " a.
other that the old lire RepuElcanS
had been the sack holders IN tlle Po-
1itica1 snipe hunt and were more OF
less disgruntled because Of Governor
Capper's performance. They reasoneu
also that Aliens chances tof III
umphal return to the Repuplicdn
party were remote. or course, lHcS
n
cline to run as Democrat. AS an
independent candidate, however tney
figured that he would gather the ultra
progressive votes of 1914 ana Will
Aid and assistance from the Democrats
and unhappy conservative Repupnc-
ms Allen ought to have enough votes
Allen Is Approached.
delegation was appointed to go &c
Wichita and tell Allen all about II
John E. Wagner OF Larneo was pc
Iected to head the committee MnlcH
was to outline the plan to the Wlch'
sta man. Wagner had permitted him
self to be mentioned as gubernatorl:n
probability. In the interest OF par
success, however, he did not pernll
this fact to stand in his pain: Ike
Wichita and Allen was led into prl
waite office and told the secret OF win
ming the governorship. ;.
'sIt is so simple and easy that II il
really a shame to do it, the com
rnittee explained to Allen. gu car
run as an independent candidate ant
the Democrats will not put candi
date in the field"
they wished they had brought red fire
crackers and a toy cannon 10 netl
celebrate their victory. They were ~
ready dreaming of Aliens inaugural
tion and the division of pie among M
Democrats who should become pre-
ferred creditors of the Independent
administration.
Old Fire Missing.
Aliens thoughts, though, seeme'
far, far away. He listened attentlvely
but the old time Allen fire and en-
thusiasm was not there.
Really it is very kind OF you L
offer me the governorship, Allcl
finally replied. They did that sam
thing in Topeka in February 1914 L
was fine thing. But l have traV
eled the Jericho road enough to knoV
where every stone and bramble IS l
he found and the stone bruises of tn
last campaign are still on my tee1
Really, you are very kind. 1 appre
ciate it. don't you know. But gus
can't do it, 49,
The committee spent the day wit.
Allen. But their investment for rail
road tickets and hotel bills was
complete loss.
Now it is that the Democrats mus
start all over again and select trol
their twelve or fifteen guberna, oria
possibilities a man who is brave an
fearless and will make the 1916 rae
e. ~ hsar,