The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-07
CAPPER Gets IN
Will Be Candidate for e. S. Sen
ator Next Year.
Intentions Announced in Letter
to Drew Mclaughlin.
into CAMPAIGN At ONCE
Will Oppose Scott, BristOw and
Walter Roscoe Stubs.
Two Years Political Dope
Pointed to That Lineup.
into CAMPAIGN At ONCE

True to two years political dope,
Governor Capper will be a candidate
for the United States senate in 1913
His announcement has been made IN
a letter to Drew Mclaughlin, editor of
the Hiawatha Daily World. The letter
was sent TO Mclaughlin in Spouse 10
a direct query from the HiaWatha man
as to Governor Capper'S plaLs IN 1913
Entrance of Governor Capper in the
senatorial race means fight Tor the
Republican nomination in 1918 In
the campaign next year the governor
will oppose Charles F. Scott, publisher
of the lola Daily Register and former
congressman from the Second district.
J. L. Bristow, repudiated by his own
party in 1914 after one term in the
senate, may try again. With custom
airy cat luck for landing place at the
public crib, Bristow has been draw
ing $4,000 a year from the state as
chairman of the $4,000 4 year public
utilities commission. Walter RoscoS
Stubs may enter the race. All OF
which will add to the gaiety of the
situation and muddle the wise men in
determining final results.
The formal announcement OF Cover
nor Capper's candidacy for the United
States senate was withheld until after
the recent legislative session. Men in
touch with Kansas political affairs,
however, have realized for two years
that the governor was an almost GER
Thompson. Democrat United States
senator. Last fall it was charged in
political circles that the governor was
laying his plans for the senatorial
contest when he spent six weeks in
the campaign and visited more than 80
counties in the state. In the Novem-
Der election he led the Republican
state ticket, winning by practically
10000 votes while the Democrats car
ried the state for President Wilson by
$4,000.
First Native Kansan.
Governor Capper is the first native
Kansan to succeed to the governorship
and was last fall reelected to a second
term. His reelection by 10000 in
1916 contrasted his defeat by 20
votes when he lost his first guberna-
torial fight to George H. Hodges in
Capper defeated Governor Hodges by
$4,000 votes.
1t is probable Governor Capper will
enter the campaign for senator at
once, altho he may not begin an ac-
tive speaking campaign until spring,
1918. His announcement at this time,
however. puts him squarely in the
fight and will block counter moves by
forces which might have occasioned
trouble and embarrassment had the
governors announcement been with
held few months.
Governors Letter.
In his letter to Mclaughlin, Cover
nor Capper said:
Dear Mr.. Mclaughlin: Replying to your
letter of recent date, l beg to say that |
shall be a candidate for the Republican
nomination for the United States senate
next year, and l shall of course be glad to
have any help you may extend to me.
This is not a suitable time to outline
political campaign or to present a platform
to the people: but am receiving so many
letters of inquiry from members of the
party, similar in tone to yours. that 1 see
no reason why my friends should not be
advised of my intentions.
The war situation has so greatly in
creased my official duties and RESPONSE
bilities, that 1 shall be unable to give any