The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-24
SKIN GOV. ALLEN
Removal of Executives Hide
Bourbon Banquet Sport.
Sam AmidOn the TOp-Liner as
"Ham" Lewis Substitute.
UNEARTHS 1912 EDITORIALS
Crowd Asked to Judge Between
"Y. Junketers"-Army Men.
Capt. Ralph O'Neill, Usage City,
Is New President.

Sam AmldOn OF WIcnita. democrat
national committeeman. was the pinch
hitter who saved the day for the Bour-
bons at their annual banquet in Tope-
ka Incidentally the evening was one
of triumph and glory for Amidon- 1t
afforded him the Opportunity for
which he had watched and waited
during many long months-the OPP
portunity to skin Governor Henry
J. Allen alive and to hear the crowd
yell for more gore.
Amfdon was the top liner at the
Democrat dinner. He won the place
by virtue of the renewed inability of
Senator ]. Ham" Lewis to come to
Topeka and the failure of John h
Atwood of Kansas City to appear Tor
a talk So Amidon, with unlimited
time and the world as a field for oper7
ations elected to Slay the Kan -aS eX-
ecutive in the open arena. Amldon
and Governor Allen are fellow towns
men-only there isn't much fellow
snip about it. Governor Allen has on
occasion said some harsh and rather
cruel things about Amidon. And
Amidon, being a fighting lawyer VINO
loves trouble better than good food,
dissected the governors record before
a crowd of 900 bowling Democrats.
Unearthcd Old Editorials.
There were some rather cutting re.
which Governor Allen and his cam
paign managers gave the state last
summer in the primary campaign
But Amidon didn't reach the climax
of his speech until he began to quote
from the governors own paper-sad
and sorrowful words of goodbye and
regret to the old Republican party,
an editorial to the effect that the he
publican organization of 1917 was as
crooked as a barrel of snakes ana
n
lived, undetermined tactics of the men
who directed Republican affairs in the
state and nation.
Such oratory as had not been con-
sumed in flaying Governor Aliens po-
litical webbing was directed toward
discussion of the governors charges
against the war department. Amidon
called on his crowd to judge for them
selves whether Y NJ. c. A. junketers or
men in the army service knew the
facts concerning Thirty-fifth division
losses and the equipment of army
units. For nearly an hour the 800
faithful Democrats forgot the horrible
nightmare of last November and yelled
at each revelation of alleged sins of
Republican leaders and workers
40. RESOLUTIONS Endorse Wilson
Nor did the Democrats stop with the
mere making of speeches and con-
sumption of much food and ice water.
the oratoricaI efforts of E. E. Murphy,
state chairman. the Kansas Bourbons
adopted a set of stirring, ringing q fiat
principles that was a challenge TO the
world. The Democrats came to the
defense of the president, they endorsed
his trip overseas, his peace movement
and promised aid, support and COM
fort for soldiers and their families.
George H. Hodges. former governor,
praised the president and condemned
his critics in a short speech. Thomas
f HALEY of Topeka, E. C. Pyle of
Parsons. Andrew Shearer of Marys-
willie and Lieut.. Ed Haas of Hutchin-
son made short speeches at the dinner
Samuel I. Hale of Lacrosse. president
of the club, presided.
Plans for completion of an effective
statewide organization were discussed.
A committee will direct organization
work and is authorized to open and
maintain headquarters in Topeka.
These headquarters may be opened
early in the spring.
Many Democrats wanted a state
wide party organ. But the plan of
financing a newspaper project with
cash met little response.
Officers For Ensuing Year.
Officers elected at the business ses-
sion of the club were: President,
Capt Ralph O'Neill, Usage City; vice.
president, Fred L. Vandegrift, Kansas
CITY, secretary, L. (OullhSS'
peka; treasurer, Frank L. Britton, To-
peka. District presidents include:
Samuel Osterholdt. Holton; Mrs.
Diana Stark, Horton; w. w. GORDON
Kansas CITY; Miss Clara Elder, OF
tawa: Frank Lennon, Pittsburg: Mrs.
Caroline Drennon, Arkansas City; W.
NJ. Price. Emporia; Mrs. Elmer E.
Scott, Council Grove; Andrew Shearer,
MarysviIle; Mrs. VanVliet, Marysvllle
] f. Hale, Osborne; Mrs. Chas. Risely,
Stockton; f. F. Sutton. St John;
Mrs A. A Doerr. Larned; w F.
Decker, Newton; Mrs. Lora V. Gorder.
Wichita. An organization committee
is composed of: Carl Peterson, To
peka; w. w. Gordon, Kansas City; A.
j. Valentine. Coffeyville; w. H
Carpenter Marion; Robt. Helvering
Marysville; L. C. Uhl, jr., Smith
Center; A. A. Doerr, Larned, and D.
q Potts Wichita