The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-26
FEAR DARK HORSE
Interest Centers Around Next
President of Federation.
Only Two Candidates Are
Openly in the Field.
MRS ,COWLES RUNNING STRONG
California Delegation Names
Formidable List of States.
Eastern Woman, However,
Might Cause Big Stampede.

New York, May 26.-Interest in the
biennial convention of the General
Federation OF Womens Clubs centers
today in the coming election for pres
ident Of the federation.
Two new dark horses have made
their appearance on the floor OF the
convention-Mrs. George Bass of Chi
cage and Mrs. Eugene Reilly of North
Carolina. The latter received the vol
untary endorsement of the Pennsyl-
vanianS at their state caucus Mrs.
Bass is spoken of as the logical com
promise candidate" Central western
states. now badly split on their presi-
dental preferences, may unite and
vote as a unit fer a candidate from
their own part of the country.
Up to the present time, the race for
the presidential chair has centered
chiefly around Mrs. Josiah Evans
Cowles of California and Mrs. Samuel
B. Sheath of Ohio. Skilful political
maneuvering is quietly at work for
these candidates, in spite of the ru-
mors flying back and forth of others
who may usurp their candidacy at the
eleventh hour
California has been especially &C
tive. The state is now thoroughly or
ganiZed. A temporary chairman and
political manager are working with a
well trained group of women wise in
the lore of convention politics. Or
ganization by states is now in prog
| resS.
Many States Lined Up.
California quietly announced this
| imposing array of states lined up for
| their candidate: Arizona, Arkansas,
| California, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada,
| New Jersey, North and South Dakota.
| WASHINGTON. oregon, Oklahoma. In
/ diana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Texas,
| Montana, New Mexico, Utah and pos
! sibly Vermont.
Many of the states have split with
serious sectional differences. Colo
RADIO, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, North
| Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Yer
mont, New York and Missouri are up
in the air. as to the stand they will
take on this most momentous question
| of the entire biennial. The list of I'M
| certain states, those frankly open to
| conviction, is also large.
One of the interesting sidelights on
| convention politics is the strategic
position which Massachusetts holds.
This state had the largest delegation
of any outside of New York. 1t holds
the key to the voting strength of New
England. AS Massachusetts, leads the
way, the southern Atlantic seaboard
Estates probably will follow. States
Hike Kentucky and Michigan also are
Iwatching Massachusetts. wyoming and
South Carolina are on the fence
Would Trade Votes.
An eastern candidate, nominated
|
balance of power at the last minute
and might stampede the election in q
most surprising way.
The thirteenth biennial convention
has started an innovation for feminine
politics in this country 1t is quite
freely countenancing the trading OF
votes. The middle western state
want an amendment to the constitu-
ton asking for a director from each
state for the general federation board
Other states want big political plums
Hence, the suggested trading. AND
there is going to be much more of it
too, before next Friday for there are
many offices to be filled.