The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-30
BATTLE IN EIGHTH
Judge Wilson and Ayres in War
to Finish.
Political Guns Booming Right
Up to Last Day.
APPEARS TO BE REPUBLICAN
Yet Democrats Have Strong
Machine in District.
Landslide in Sedgwick Will De-
eide Congress Fight.

In the battle for the election of con-
right lively little battle of its own.
With the election eight days away,
Eighth district leaders of both par
ties are making the fight of their lives
for control of the district Just at this
time, based on indications from a trip
thru all of the five counties of the dis
trict it seems probable that Judge
Thomas c. Wilson. Republican, will
defeat Congressman W. A. Ayres,
Democrat, by a majority of from 1900
to $500.
Two years ago Congressman Ayres
was elected by tremendous vote. He
fell but a few hundred votes short Of
a majority over both Ezra Branine,
Republican: and Charles L. Davidson.
Progressive nominee Ayres has a
strong personal following in the dis
trict and it must be reckoned with in
making prediction figures. He is an
adroit campaigner and is making
great fight in the district.
On the other hand, Judge Wilson's
years of service on the bench, gave
him a wide acquaintance He mace
an excellent record on the bench He
that of Congressman Ayres. He is an
active and effective campaigner- He
is driving tacks in the Ayres record
every day during the campaign;
Eighth district could have nominated
men more personally popular or more
equally matched for a real finish fight
Mcpherson to Wilson.
Mcpherson county will be the Dig
star in the Wilson banner electlon Gay;
That is the present indication, as paseo
On a rather close observation OF the
situation in the five counties The
county's big Progressive vote is seem
1ngly safely Republican this year with
each of the old time third party lead
ers working for the Republican noml-
nees from president to road overseer-
Best possible information points to
majority of 700 to 500 for Judge VIII
son in Mcpherson county
In Harvey county, Judge wilson en-
counters fair-sized rallroao VOC.
This vote is being lined up as nearly
as possible for Wilson for president.
and Congressman Ayres is FAR too
shrewd a politician not to take ao-
vantage of the situation. With allow
ance for a slump in this vote to ootn
President Wilson and Congressman
Ayres, the Republican majority in the
county seems able to absorb the shock
and still give Judge Ayres a majority
of 200 to 400 Probably 900 is very
conservative estimate.
Too Much Oil Fever.
Sumner county is an uncertain
quantity Wellington has large rail-
ington railroad vote is registered and
working. The Hughes-Wilson fight IN
the county is even closer than the con-
greSsional contest.
Butler county has gone wild over
oil The county's population has in
creased SO per cent in a year. NO one
seems to know actual conditions.
Scarcely man in the county forgets
oil royalties long enough to give
thought to the political situation and
campaign orators of both parties who
have to the county with speeches have
returned home with goose flesh. Gov
ernor Capper and Senator Curtis were
billed as auxiliarieS to a wild west
show. They talked to a crowd of 500
people on the main street of the town.
1t was the largest and only real poll
teal meeting in the county during the
campaign.
Sedgwiclx to Turn Trick.
Under any normal condition, Butler
county should turn in a majority of
700 to 500 for the Republicans. Look
ing at the situation as it exists, Judge
Wilson's majority in the county should
be about 800. 1t may be 400.
Sedgwick county and Wichita-the
home of both candidates. uncertain
and much in doubt. Republicans
claim it. So do Democrats. There is
a large labor vote in the town. No
one knows exactly what the women
will do. All of these things will have
bearing on the congressional result
in the Eighth. Judge Wilson may
carry the county by small vote. His
lead. tho, will in any event probably
be less than 500. On the o4her hand,
Congressman Ayres may carry the
county by a small margin. A heavy
swing in either direction would decide
the election. But conditions seem to
point to a close fight in the county.
All of which gives Judge Wilson the
better of the argument. Unless he
should be badly beaten in the county
which seems entirely improbable
conditions favor his election.