The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-09
State Auditor Is Secretary
Stubs Senatorial Campaign.
He Is Candidate for RenOmina-
ton on State Ticket.
PARTY OWES IT To STUBS
Knapp Says He Should Be
Named Without Opposition.
Fight To Be Under Leadership
of Clark, Mullaney, Knapp.

= Fred W. Knapp, state auditor and
candidate for denomination and re-
election on the Republican state ticket,
today became secretary of the W. r.
Stubs United States senatorial cam
paign committee. Knapp will give
much of his time and energies to the
nomination of Stubbs in the Republi-
can primaries. In formal statement
today. Knapp said his activities for
Stubs were not based on personal
antagonism to any other candidate.
Knapp. who was elected state audi
tor in 1916, is a member of the state
executive council with Governor Cap
per, also candidate FOR the senator
ship. He was secretary of the old
state board of control during four
years of the Hoch administration and
the first two years of the Stubs adj
ministration-1905 to 1911. In 1912
Knapp went with the Roosevelt fac
ton of the party. and in the cam
paign of 1914 was secretary of the
Progressive state committee.
In his formal statement, Knapp de-
clares that by the same token which
gave Governor Capper the guberna-
in 1914, the party owes Stubs the
senatorial nomination this year. Both
Stubs and Capper were beaten in the
Democratic landslide of 1912 as the
result of the fight of the Republican
league. This year George A. Clark,
chairman OF the Stubs campaign
committee.
The work of the Stubs campaign
will be handled by Clark, Knapp and
E. E. Mullaney, Topeka banker.
Each of the three men will give much
of their time to the campaign.
Knapp in a Statement.
statement:
1 wish it distinctly understood that
my acceptance of the position of Sec
rotary of the committee which is
promoting the candidacy of former
Governor w. r. Stubs for the Re-
publican nomination for United States
senator, does not mean that 1 have
any personal quarrel with or grievance
against any other candidates for that
office. In fact, I have always num-
bered and hope to be able to con-
tinue to number each of them among
I am for Mr.. Stubs for United
States senator for the following rea-
sons:
First: believe in ethics and fair
play even in politics. In 1912, Mr..
Stubs was the Republican nominee
per was the Republican nominee for
governor Both were defeated because
of the split within the ranks of the
Republican party. In 1914, Mr.. Cap
per was accorded the Republican
nomination for governor without op-
position. 1t was considered only fair
to him that he should have the privi-
lage of defeating Governor Hodges
who had beaten him in the 1912 cam
paign. Mr.. Capper was elected and
denied majority. The time has now
arrived to fill the vacancy in the
United States senate caused by the
election of Mr.. Thompson and the de-
feat of Mr.. Stubs six years ago. I'm
der the same rules of fairness, Mr..
Stubs is entitled to the Republican
nomination without opposition.
Second: Aside from the above, I
believe that under the present dis
ordered conditions thruout the entire
world, the wide range of practical
business experience; the knowledge of
railroad construction, cost and opera
ton; the knowledge of live stock and
farming interests as well as the pack
ing interests possessed by Mr.. Stubs,
would make him at this time one of
the most dependable and useful mem
bers of the United States senate. At
the conclusion of this war the prob
lens arising out of peace treaties and
a general reconstruction will be many
and far reaching. Mr.. Stubs has had
the necessary legislative experience,
possesses the wide knowledge of pub
lie affairs and public men, the posi-
tive decision, the fighting qualities
and the level headed business sense
to fit him for the task, and these rea-
shadow our personal likes and dislikes
or men at this particular time. I have
only to add that regardless of the
outcome of the primary, no one will
support the Republican nominee with
any greater loyalty or zeal than will 1.