The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-12
Nevertheless, Enough Support
Was Rallied to Aid Him.
SAPP NAMED COMMITTEEMAN
Mrs. Harris, A. M. Jackson, A.
DOerr, Thompson ''Big Four"
Charge and Counter Charge at
Hutchinson Convention.

Kansas Democrats smashed the
Thompson federal machine in their
state convention at Hutchinson and
with an air of scorn and derision sent
the United States senator to the ma
tional convention without the vote of
a majority of the delegates Thomp-
son received fewer votes than any of
the four delegates at large and fell
short of a majority. Then the conVen-
ton defeated j. w. Orr of Atchison
for national committeeman and wal
loped George A. Medley in his aspira-
tions to become a member of the Big
-Four.
While Thompson is a member of the
Big Four in name, his victory IS the
most hollow ever credited on the bull
1etin board of a United States sena-
tors winnings. His success was due
TO the efforts of Gerge H. Hodges,
former governor, and at every stage
of the fight Senator Thompson's des-
tiny was clay in the hands of the anti
postoffice crowd. At every stage of
the game, there was sorrow for the
federal machine In the final round
of the fight lJeeley's Reno county del
egaticn threw the harpoOn into the
Thompson candidacy. The Thompson
crowd retaliated by adding the fin
ishing touches to Neeley's downfall
and as the curtain fell on the spectac-
ular convention, Thompson himself
home when his enemies consented that
he go to the convention without the
approval of a majority.
Sapp Took First Trench.
The victory of w. F. Sapp of Ga
lena over J. w. Orr of Atchison in the
fight for national committeeman was
the first trench won by the insurgents
in their charge on the federal crowd
Orr was the victim of over-zealousy
on the part of his friends and too ar
dent love making with the fifty Kan
sas postmasters and twenty federal
appointees. Then. as a climax to the
fight, both Hodges and Hugh p. Far
reilly took the floor against Orr and
Hodges replied to the fight on Sapp
with the counter charge that Orr rep
resented every issue in politics that
occasioned criticism of Sapp.
To Political Obscurity.
Neeley's defeat was a virtual return
to political obscurity. He barely
escaped an adverse instruction from
his own congressional district and was
beaten by A. A. Doerr of Larned by
a large majority.
Insurgents were in control at all
{ times during the convention. They
r cheerfully spotted the federal crowd
the craftsmanship and proceeded to
q beat the postoffice boys at their own
game. Two of the delegates at large
are positive and determined opponents
of Thompson. Mrs. w. A. Harris,
elected by reclamation, is neutral and
supported by both factions. Then,
fourth on the list from every angle,
q is Senator Thompson himself.
The convention was bitter and red
hot. In many respects it was one of
the most spectacular political meetings
in Kansas in several years. Behind
the heated contests were personal
feelings and resentments sufficient to
Z keep the Democratic harmony crew
busy during the campaign. Attempts
to harmonic were sad failures. The
withdrawal of John E. Wagner from
, the committeeman fight and the short
campaign of E. E. Murphy, failed to
relieve conditions. Then Orr and Sapp
{ entered the ring to fight it out.
Hodges Saved Him.
In their desire to punish the federal
ring. it is probable that Senator
Thompson might have fallen a hun
dred votes short of an election had not
. Hodges stayed with the Thompson
candidacy. He declared the party
could not afford to go on record by
4 defeating the senator and he delivered
) his personal following in the conven-
ton to Thompson-even in the face of
the red hot Hodges-Thompso Neeley
u fight of two years ago.
Farrelly succeeded in paying Orr for
= his efforts in inducing Medley to run
;. for senator in 1914. That move cost
Farrelly the senatorial nomination.
. Farreily showed his appreciation in
his fight which lost the Atchison man
the committeemanship.
A dozen other sore thumbs were ex-
hibited by men prominent in both fac
tons Of the party and the fractional
strifes of two years ago have been
dragged from the closet, busted and
ID painted and ready for use in the COM
ing campaign.