The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-24
HI OLQtC OttLtCS
NEED CANDIDATES
Kansas BOurbOns Are Badly in
Need of Martyrs.
Want Strong Aspirant for Gov
ernOr and Senator.
LOOK TO GEORGE H. HODGES
Eyes of Former Governor Cast
Toward Washington.
GaitskiIl or Helyering May Give
Governor Allen "FitS."
LOOK TO GEORGE H. HODGES
BY A. L. SHULTz.

Kansas Democracy which came
thru the state convention at Wichita
without backing its own eye, is now
feeling the need of a domestic Moses
who can lead the cause safely thru the
campaign in this state. 1t is proba BILE
that that committee will meet soon
and file selections for state offices.
In the meantime overtures are to be
made to men and women whose can
didacy would draw support from much
needed sources.
Some of the responsibility of the
campaign is to fall on the shoulders
of men who won places on the ma
ional convention delegations. One of
these men will doubtless be George H.
Hodges of Olathe, former governor.
Hodges is being pushed for the United
States senatorship in a rather thank
less contest against Senator Charles
Curtis. Republican. Hodges has the
opposition of the Billiard faction in the
party. That is about all.
His Eyes on Washington.
For six years Hodges's eyes have
been turned toward Washington. His
personal desire is doubtless to beat
Senator Capper. But this looks like
the year when the hands of the clock
point i'll Hodges's direction if he is to
run.
Victor Murdoch, former Progressive.
at one TIME d INcDuDllCdl anu IlOI {
recently a Democrat, is another sena-
torial possibility. But men in politics
who know Murdoch intimately and
well do not assume that he has so
much as slight plans to abandon a
$40, 900 job to chase after job that
is remote and far away. anyway
Murdoch was a candidate against Cur
tbs in 1914 and knows something OF
the task in front of the Democrat
nominee.
There is almost as great a lack OF
enthusiasm in grabbing for the gov
ernorship nomination as in seeking
the chance to be the living sacrifice
for senator. A half dozen men have
been mentioned. but it will seemingly
fall to the lot of the state committee
to make the party selection.
Ben S. Gaitskill of Girard and Guy
T. delivering of Marysville. each came
out of the state convention in good
shape to make the race. Each is urged
as a candidate. Gaitskill seized ar
opportunity to make an appeal for the
elusive and uncertain woman vote
when he made a couple of speeches or
the floor of the convention. On the
other hand. Helvering developed won
derfully in the esteem of certain party
leaders when he graciously led the
withdrawal parade in favor of Rober
w. Blair of Topeka for a Big Foui
honor j. NJ. Davis of Fort Scott has
announced. But he seemingly cannoi
unite factions in his party.
In the eight congressional districts
the Democrats now control but one
the Eighth. Congressman w. A
Ayres, with a consistent record and ar
enormous personal following, is to be
renominated without opposition. He
will give some Republican one of the
busiest days of his life in winning the
election.
Anthony Faces little Trouble.
Lightning has not struck in tbs
First and Seventh districts. In the
First some candidate in Topeka favor
able to the cause of organized labor
would be the logical candidate on the
face of present conditions. Mayor
Corwine has declined. Tom Moxcey
of Atchison is one of the strong Dem
ocrats of the district. But he won
run. Again the pulmotor boys mus
work if they hope to provide suppl,
of trouble for Congressman D. r. An
| thony Jr., in November.
| Seventh district conditions have no
shaped themselves. There is talk o
Seward I. Field of Medicine Lodge wht
is strong and aggressive. L. L. Tay
Tor, Dodge City; and John Kelly
Hugoton, have also been mentioned.
Henderson S. Martin, former stat