The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-20
ON SECOND THOUGHT
By JAY z. HOUSE.
(From Philadelphia Public Ledger.)

Our favorite bit of lace insertion,
the New York Tribune, demands that
the Republican candidates and the
Republican party stand for Progress
sive measures all along the line in
domestic and international affairs
alike. The Tribune may very well be
right about II. At any rate, it is
matter that should have consideration
But before we concede anything we
wish to avail ourself Of certain in
formation. Here and there we run
into considerable editorial talk about
Progressive measures. If it isn't ask
ing too much. what are they?
AS we recall it, and If we are wrong
about it We ask to be corrected, the
distinctively Progressive measures in
1912 were the initiative and referen-
dunn. the recall, the recall of judicial
decisions and social justice. whatever
that is. Are the Progressive meas
ures of 1920 the same as those of
1912, and, if not, in what respect have
they been changed and why?
So far. the really vital issues of the
campaign are Woodrow Wilson and
'hooch." Neither greatly excites nor
moves US to emotional display. We
should be glad to have something in
could have a row over. If the Pro-
gressive issues haven't changed, a
grand quarrel could be ''frogged'' up.
We may be overwriting this particu-
lar piece of japery, but we crave the
indulgence of the columns clientele
while We record a hitherto unrelated
bit of political histoEy-It has to do
with the campaign of 1912 ana one of
its issues. In 1912 Willis Gleed was
an honorary contributor to the Kan
SaS City Journal. and now and then
wrote an editorial for its columns.
Mr.. Gleed was a rock-ribbed, dyed-in-
the-wool, Standpat Republican of con-
sentative mold. He greatly deplored
some of the more liberal tendencies of
| his party. One day in a fine fit of
ironical fenzy he sat him down and
wrote an editorial suggesting that a
plank demanding the recall of judi
cial decisions be embodieA in the
forthcoming Republican platform. He
even went so far as to frame the plank.
Then he sat back in his chair and
! laughed with the glee which bubbles
! up in every man who thinks he has
pulled a good thing.
Three months later Mr.. Gleed found
the platform of the new Progressive
party in his favorite newspaper and
proceeded to peruSe it. He discovered
that his plank on the recall of judi
cial decisions has been transferred
in toto to the body of the new political
decalogue.
Some ten or fifteen years a. we,
| one day, expressed the. opinion that
the most difficult and tiresome feat
/ was that of carrying a watermelon
home. We are glad to find that
T Briggs, the cartoonist. sustains ouI
contention in a recent series of pic
| lures. Every once in a while one OF
our cherished beliefs is upheld by
competent authority.
/
Mr.. Cox's married daughter, we beg
her pardon for forgetting her name
complains that Antoinette Funk
snubbed her. We refer to the mat
! ter for the purpose of expressing the
opinion that being snubbed by Miss
! Funk is approximately zero in the
category Of humiiating personal ex-
periences-
Anyhow. if we were the daughter OF
a candidate for the presidency, nobody
could snub us.
Ruth Strikes Out Five Times,
runs a newspaper headline. No at
tempt is madeAto reveal the substance
| of Mr.. Ruth's mumblingS as he re-
turned to the bench. but we can tell
you what they were. What he said
was. That bird hasn't got a thing"
We occasionally hurl a pointless
| javelin at the Hon. Babe but there
| is one thing for which we wish to
commend him: when he does strike
! out he refrains from making a speech
Ito the crowd. Few ath-a-letcs are
gifted with such admirable self-re-
straint.