The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-20
HOPE FOR A SPLIT
This Is Only Chance for Demo-
Gratis in Kansas.
They Must Maintain Harmony
Among Own Forces, Tho.
SCOTT ACTION A SENSATION
He Supported Morgan Against
Allen Last Election.
Bourbon State Convention in
Topeka This Week.
SCOTT ACTION A SENSATION
BY A. L. sHULTz.

This weeks Democrat state conYen-
ton will have a big place in shaping
the affairs of the campaign in Kansas
this year. Usually the Kansas Demo-
Gratis may be relied upon to do just
the wrong thing at exactly the right
time-for the Republicans. This
week the Bourbons will listen to some
good. sound, wholesome political ad
vice and organize to win or they will
stir up one of their rows, open the
skeleton closet and go home to see
ghosts for the remainder of the cam
paign.
If the Democrats come out of their
convention with only a reasonable
amount of soiled linen for the primary
laundry, there is a fair chance they
wifi transact some business in Kansas
this year. But If some hale and
healthy patriot with a speech on his
chest begins showering the conven
ton with well chosen personalities
and references to some of the dead past
well, the Democrats might as we'll
fold their little pup tent and go home.
It all depends. If the Democrats
merely cuss the Republicans, they are
likely to get along famously. On the
other hand if some factiOnal leader
brings his books to town and begins
to read some other fellow out of the
party it will merely be so long Mary
Ann.
Most people in Kansas are a bit
dazed and dazzled just now. There
has been so much rapid scene shifting
and so many quick plays with the
cards that the average voter is a bit
hazy in the head. He has seen his pet
political gods shuffled and shifted and
shunted until he is disposed to view
his pastor and blood relatives with
suspicion. He has seen his most for
ward looking neighbor walking arm
in nit a
He has seen most bitter never-budge
Republicans worshiping with apos-
ties Of the new day.
BOurbOns Are Hopeful.
So out of it all, the Democrats have
grown rather hopeful of a big crop
year. They have been looking long
ingly at the state house and party
leadership has inspected the workers
with a view of selecting a man who
will Just fit Governor Aliens chair.
The convention this week-called to
make recommendations to the party
primaries in August and to write
tentative state platform-will deter
mine very largely the part the Demo-
Gratis will play.
The Republicans have made a lot
of shifts in advance of the Bourbon
meeting. Most Of the plays of the last
week have rather favored the state
administration. The administration
boys didn't call a convention. They
assem- bled some twenty of their choice
advisers and changed the guberna-
torial setting to suit their own views.
Looks Good for Alien.
So far as the state administration
crowd is concerned, it is set and ready
to go. Maneuvers of the last few weeks
have split the much touted Lambertson
farm vote three ways. There isn't a
chance at this time that either Stubh-j,
AIcNeal or Lamberston can corral
enough CT these votes to be a serious
contender with Governor Allen out for
a denomination. w. Y. Morgan is
pocketed where the governors reap
pearance will leave the Hutchinson
man without support from either the
state or federal crowd. That leaves c.
5. Huffman, Fred W. Knapp and the
two ladies. No positive strength has
been displayed
Democrats who are coming to the
convention are rather looking over the
by-plays of the Republicans. There is
the Charles F. Scott endorsement of
the governor. That endorsement isn't
Just exactly according to the books
and it is giving some people a good
deaf of worry.
Governor Allen and Scott have never
been chummy. Four years ago Scott
supported Morgan against Allen. This
year with both men again in the race
Scott urges Allen for third term.
The two men have been on opposite
sides of the fence for years.
Once Stubbs helped Scott take
congressional nomination from Allen.
But Scott hasn't gone TO the Quaker.
Worry to Capper Forces.
SCOTS action is causing the Capper
forces some worry. Four years ago
Capper defeated Scott for the sena-
torial nomination. Stubs crushed in
and caused Scott to lose second place.
Wise politicians see in the situation
play which would destroy Stubs po-
litically for all time and develop the
governor where he would be a logical
senatorial contender in 1924. Senator
CaDper is not hunting trouble two
years hence and can hardly be expect
ed to show appreciation OF any course
which would tend to make either Gov
ernor Allen or Stubs power in the
next campaign.
Efforts are beng made to force the
Industrial court issue to the front. If
tho administration has it's own free
way, the voter will likely talk more
about the court and less about the
high taxes. The Democrats this
week will likely take a flat stand on
both questions-positive denunciation
Of the court and demand for lower
tax lev.es- Their candidate will be
bound to this stand.
In the meantime the state house
crowd is forcing the issue. Lambert
HOn HAS Deell presented III the last
few days as an enemy of the court
Because he spoke from the same plat
form with w +. Freeman, head of
the state federation of labor. Lam
bertson has not made a definite state
ment as to his court views.
Hope for Party Split.
Dem ocrats will look the matter
over carefully next Wednesday. Then
IF the delegates actually listen to
the strategy crowd-they will play
their game accordingly. Most of the
Democrats believe Governor Allen will
Eia denomination If he runs. But
glIey also believe he will win as
minority candidate in the crowded
field. Their hope is to force a party
split, in November.
There won't be much fighting in
the convention except on governorship
endorsement. In advance of the con-