The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-04
LOOK TO KANSAS
Nation Wide Attention Given
to This State.
Has Become an indicators in
Election Returns.
FIRST RETURNS FROM HERE
First Expression of Sentiment
Remained Unchanged.
Later Figures Only Added to
Totals of Candidates.
BY A. l.. SHULTZ

Kansas with her double election
boards and early returns is drawing
nationwide attention to the state.
She has become an indicator for the
as the early Maine
elections called forth the expression
that 'as Maine goes. so goes the ma
ton
When the twenty million men and
women who-went ID the polls Tuesday
were making their final decisions as
to candidates, Kansas was flashing to
the country her first returns. The
first returns showed Harding was
leading. AS the day progressed the
lead increased. BY the middle of the
afternoon Harding was running two
to one over the state. Curtis was just
a bit behind. Allen was next to Cur
tbs on pluralities. Hopkins was limp
ing far behind the ticket and Miss
Wooster had taken refuge in the eel
lar. And that first expression of state
sentiment has been unchanged,
More Than Indication.
But Kansas did more than indicate
her own course in the days voting.
Her action was an indication of the
sentiment thruout the Middle West
and the big Southwest. Nor did this
situation happen merely because of a
landslide to Harding. Four years ago
the same situation prevailed.
When the first returns came from
the double election boards in 1916,
they showed that Wilson was leading
IN the state. During the day the presi-
dent continued to hold the advantage,
while Arthur Capper, in race for re-
election as governor. piled up enor-
NOUS majorities in all precincts.
Result of Election.
The result as shown in the early re-
turns was the result of the days cleo
ton in the state. More than that, tho,
it pointed to the trend and sentiment of
the middle western country.
In the 1915 election Kansas not only
indicated her course early in the day,
but she piled up plurality of $500
for Wilson. The sentiment prevailed
turnout this section of the country and
Missouri fell in line with 2S,6S6 lead
for Wilson and Oklahoma contributed
50,S8O. Both Missouri and Oklahoma
are in the near solid south district.
That might be logical answer to the
statement that Kansas forecast senti-
ment when she turned to Wilson four
years ago.
/ But if Kansas followed Missouri
and Oklahoma into the Democrat col
umn four years ago. they returned the
kindness and went to the Republican
standard Tuesday. In Tuesdays cleo
ton Kansas was showing, all the strong
Republican tendencies when the first
votes were being counted in neigh
boring states. But close adherence to
news in the dope sheet would have
saved much concern regarding results
in the two adjoining states.
Missouri To Harding.
Missouri went to Harding by plu-
rality larger than anticipated by san
Quine party leaders. For time Okla
homa showed determined Democratic
tendencies, then Cox began to weaken
and the state was listed as doubtful.
Now the Republicans are apparently
safely in control of the Oklahoma
electoral vote, the senatorship and
half of the congressman.
Continued use of the double election
board plan and early announcement
of votes as cast promises to bring
political attention to Kansas and to
give her credit as the election day
barometer for the middle west. Colo
RADIO, Nebraska and wyoming are also
among states which turned with Kan
sas from the Democratic column to
the Republican banner.