The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-05
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Boom for Ben S. Gaitskill of
Girard for Governor.
lit viii BE Launched at Demo-
crat Banquet Feb. %.
PLAN TO GIVE HIM CLEAR FIELD
Will Not Make the Race II
There Be Opposition.
Democrat Congressman VIII
Come Home for Meeting.
PLAN TO GIVE HIM CLEAR FIELD

When Kansas Democrats come to
Z Topeka February % for their annual
{ dinner. a boom will be started for Ben
s. Gaftskill of Girard for the Demo-
crat gubernatorial domination. Cats
: kill is a we'll known Girard lawyer and
one of the speakers at the big political
banquet.
The move to put Gaitskill in the race
started in Topeka several weeks ago
when a number of eligibles for the
governorship nomination had either
1 declined with thanks or had been
: eliminated by the party leaders. Ac-
cording to reports Gaitskill stated that
he would make the race provided he
was not compelled to contest for the
nomination in the August primaries.
An effort is now being made to clear
2 the track for Gaitskill and enthusiasm
concerning his candidacy will prob
ably be reused for the February din
Z ner
For a number of years Gaitskill has
( been active in the affairs of the Third
district. He was at one time a con-
I gressional candidate and has a strong
following in the densely populated
southeastern territory. For a number
of years Gaitskill has been engaged in
the practice of law in Girard and has
( established a large practice in Craw
ford county.
Congressman Coming Home.
delegation in Washington are coming
to Topeka for the party banquet Feb
ruary %. That is the news which
. comes from Washington this week
from several members of the Kansas
delegation. All of the Democrat mem
Thompson, are expected in Topeka to
attend the party love feast and the
meeting of the state committee
The six Democrat congressman are
state convention to select delegates to
the national convention. Nearly all of
: the members have signified a desire
for a late convention-possibly
month later than the Republican con-
rvention, called for March 81 None of
( the six Democrat congressman is eX-
pected to seek a place on the delega-
ton to the national convention under
the recent Doolittle agreement. SEN
ator Thompson, however. did not en-
ter into the agreement not to ask for
place on the delegation. Yet the fact
! that Thompson succeeded in sidestep-
ping the stay at home agreement will
not make easier the Democrat sena-
tors fight for Il place on the big
Four to the St. Louis convention.
Many of the troubles of the Demo-
Gratis concerning the holding of a
state convention and selection of dele
gates will be worked out at the state
committee meeting February %. 1t
- IOl that ItdSOll lIlal congressman
Taggart, Doolittle, Helvering, Con-
nelly, Shouse and Ayres are planning
a trip to Topeka before adjournment
of the present congress.
Morgan Wins at Home.
" y. Morgan, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
has woE his fight for q primary In
Reno county. A week ago Morgan's
plan for compulsory county primaries
to select delegates to the Republican
state convention, was slaughtered by
the state committee The committee
adopted a call providing for optional
county primaries or conventions.
Several of the progressive leaders of
the party will work for presidential
primaries in their home counties. They
argue that a return to the convention
system in the selection of delegates to
the state convention is a reputation
of the state wide primary law. Neither
Morgan nor his followers fought for a
state wide presidential preference pri-
mary before the state committee. The
fight concerned merely optional or
compulsory county primaries.
As soon as he was beaten, Morgan
returned to Hutchinson and began the
agitation of a county primary. lie has
won his fight at home and Reno
county will send primary chosen dele
ssntqs a the state convention