Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1922-09-07
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! DOIN0s IN KANSAS POLITICS .
! Special Reflector Correspond I
, ence From A. l.. Shultx

& & & q & q Q & q q G 4 . & & Q
Topeka, Sept. 6.--This doesn't
seem to be u crimson year for the
unterrified and undauntcd Kansas
Democrats. They started their sum
mer activities with the pomp and
Jingle OF Chinese wedding parade.
Then they suddenly developed hor-
ror of cemeteries and lost their zest
for staying ont after dark. Their
party council was an arduous task
laboriously performed. When ii was
over most Of the platform builders
showed a willingness TO go home and
wait for the coroner's verdict.
Usually the Kansas Democrats
give three loud wh0ops, wave their
arms and start fighting M the drop
Of the hat. Under any ordinary cir
cumstances they wiggle their fingers
Ut the opposition. take for the mid
die Of the street and defy everyone
to follow them. Usually they pick
UP every new creed and ism and
point to the timidity Of the Republic
cans when they are bit more con-
servatiye and guarded.
This year 1t was different The
Republicans spent couple of days
fighting over their headquarters or
ganization. They wrote the snap
piest, most emphatic and pointed
state platform In years. Then the
warning factions kissed and made up
and at o'clock the next morning |
the work Of organizing the state had
begun.
The Democrats waited and prayed
for Republican smash-up that did
MT come. Then the BOurbons dust
ed Off the declaration of principles
which was written last winter and
declared it a day.
1t is clear that the Republicans
got away to the best showing In
party council affairs. For a couple
Of days there was an effort to bluff
Billie Morgan into surrendering
some Of the headquarters organiza-
lions. But he went through the fight
and has complete control Of one of
the best state committees the Repub-
licans have put on the firing line in
in number Of years. When
the skirmishing was over there was
a solid organization behind the state
ticket. 1t was perhaps the most sue.
cessful start for a state campaign
since the primary law came into be-
ing.
Fewer than dozen of the old vet
Grains of twenty years ago were in
the councils Of the two parties. Per
haps the Democrats suffered most
through lack of suggestions from the
wise men Of quarter century ago.
Maybe that Is the reason the Bour-
bons seemed to founder at a critical
Maybe 1t was lack of de-
cision and need of word from an
Overmeyer, Waggener. a Col Sapp
or Judge Dale.
Both Republicans and Democrats
In Kansas have failed miserably In
Development Of new leadership in the
last fifteen years. Except for two
years Of that time, thougeh, the Re-
publicans have been In power in the
state. Their organisatiun is the
strongest and their leadership is the
'martest by virtue of this training.
And 1t all came into account when
he state committees and the party
met. The Republicans sim
by out generated the Democrats and
heir action may force the Bourbons
nto defensive rather than all often
i've campaign.
A little preliminary fighting
eemed to do the Republicans a lot 1
# good. The state craftsmanship
loud wasn't the storm many people
expected. But the little lightning
lashes seemed to clear the air and {
most Of the pre-primary grievances
apparently have been laid aside. In
real organization is
'ehind the ticket. (
Bad luck hit the Democrats. too.
II the old days a man would have
uit his shop or office to answer a
all to direct governorship cam
aign as state chairman. Thirty
ears ago the strongest, most versa.
lie organizer in the Democrat party
the state would have been called !
o manage Jonathan VI. Davis. cam
align. This year the job went beg
ing. 1t Is a bit of the tragedy of
he present situation.
Finally the Democrats called a Mr..
wilson from Allen county to the
elm. Mr.. Wilson Is doubtless an
xcellent gentleman and loyal Demo ]
rat. But Mr.. Wilson'S new job calls
or a man with an acquaintance in
very one Of 1886 precincts In Kan u
as. a keen political mind, quick. .
ccurate decision and working o.
nowledge of every party and fac
Ional fuss since the crime Of the
ariy 7o's. p