The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-21
PREDICTS VICTORY
Missouri Convention Opened
With Note of Optimism.
viii Win in State and Nation,
Declares Democrat.
REED DENIES FRACTIONAL AID
To Endorse Governor Major for
Wilson Running Mate.
A. L. DUNN EulOgizes Demo-
cratic Reign in ''KeynOte."

St. Joseph. March 21.-The Demo-
cratic state convention to elect dele
gates-at-large to the national Demo-
cratic convention at St Louis ana
choose a national committeeman was
called to order shortly after II o'clock
this afternoon by D. c. McClung.
chairman of the Democratic state
committee. In turning over the con-
vention to A. T. DUNN of Jefferson
City temporary chairman, Mr.. Nc
Chung predicted victory for the Demo-
cratic party in state and nation
Shortly after the convention came
TO order a telegram from United
States Senator Reed, denying that ne
had taken part in the struggle for the
Democratic nomination for governor
or in any other factional fight. was
read TO the convention The telegram
read:
Senator Reeds Denial.
Reports reach me that, despite a
frequent denial. statements still are
being made that I have entered into
certain deals. I therefore again EN-
phaticaIly state that at no time or
place, neither directly nor indirectly,
have I either urged or opposed the
nomination of any candidate for gov
ernor Neither have I entered into
any deal, understanding or trade re-
garding the vice presidential matter OF
senatorship. II would have been I'M
proper for me to have done this and
have not done so"
I 1t was considered a certainty when
the convention began that Missouri
would have eight delega tes-at-larSe
each with half a vote in the St Louis
Z convention. and that Governor Ma
/ jor's administration would be en-
( dorsed. There was much doubt. how
ever. about the outcome of the ma
tional committeeman contest Ed
ward F. Goltra of St. Louis. who now
holds the place. maintained he would
/ go to the floor and would not withdraw.
Friends OF Horace s. Kumsey of 81.
Louis. who withdrew Lost night were
/ predicting the election of Senator
! Stone on the first ballot as harmony
J compromise
Dunm's Keynote Speech.
Glowing endorsement of the admin
istration of President Wilson, the
Democratic government CT Missouri.
I and the Missouri delegates in congress
was voiced here today by A. T. DUNN
I of Jefferson City, in an address to the
Z opening session of the Missouri state
Democratic convention. Mr.. DUNN,
who was temporary chairman of the
! convention, also predicted continual
ton of Democratic rule in state and
nation. ~
The Democratic party in the COM
ing campaign" said he. will face a
disrupted adversary. for the Republ-
can party today is a party without
principles. and an organization with
out a leader"
Mr.. DUNN opened his address with
Z tribute to William S. Cowherd, who
presided over the state convention of
the party at Joplin four years ago.
Mr.. Cowilerd died last year.
His character" said Mr.. DUNN,
lives and his memory remains, and
will remain a priceless heritage to
Democrats throughout the length and
breadth of Missouri"
Touching the state administration,
Mr.. DUNN said: Where. in the his
tory of any state in the Union, is
there a record for beneficial and pro-
gressive legislation that equals the
achievements of the Democratic party
in Missouri in the last three years
Critics, fair enough to read the record
will find that in the short space OF
three years the cause of public educa-
ton has been fostered, encouraged
and improved as it never was in twice
the length of time in any other state;
and that greater measure of state aid
for public schools has been given by
Legislative enactment than ever before;
that during these three years there
has been apportioned and appropri-
ated for the public schools the enor-
nous sum of 100000
Great progress has been made II
the building and betterment of the
public roads and highways, and more
money has been spent by this state
for this purpose than the most ardent
advocate of good roads would have
dreamed of ten years ago.
We have created a public service
commission to stand between the peo.
pie and entertainments of public serv.
, ice corporations We have uassad q
payroll law. under the wise appIica
ton OF which hundreds of men havs