The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-15
Candidates for State Offices
Putting in Best Licks Now.
Little Time to Eat or Sleep
Much Work to Do.
FiFTY-SEVEN ON 3 TICKETS
Kansas Voters Seem To Be
Only Slightly Concerned.
High Taxes and Low Prices
Keep Politicians Worried.
BY A. L. SHULTZ.


close up their campaign and prepare
for the primary verdict. fifty-seven
candidates for state office on three
tickets-Republican Democrat and
Socialist-are preparing to make their
big strategy move. Candidates for
contested state offices-as well as five
disputed congressional jobs-w!ll find
little time in which to eat or sleep
during the final two weeks.
Not in the history of the state wide
primary law in Kansas has there been
SO much concern regarding results.
Neither has there been such a heavy
field of candidates for nominations at
the hands of the Republican party. In
no previous campaign in Kansas have
the voters appeared so lightly con-
cerned or bothered the candidates so
much with their mystery talk.
Seven for c. o. p. Governor.
Seven candidates for the Republic
can governorship nomination and
three in the Democratic primaries
break all previous records. Two years
ago the Democrats had a four
cornered fight for the gubernatorial
nomination and in 1918 Governor
Allen was nominated in a field of
four Those years have stood as rec
ords in state politics in Kansas.
The farmer vote is giving the poll
ticians greatest concern. But it isn't
Their only trouble. Organized labor is
the source OF no small amount OF
worry in several camps.
Sec Trouble Ahead.
Recently the official farmer publ
cations have given the political lead
ers n scare by demanding that one of
their own people be nominated gov
ernOr. The fact that w. p. Lambert
son, Republican. and !. NJ Davis
Democrat, are the only farmers in the
race makes a bothersome situation.
II one wins and the other loses the
wise men in politics see trouble ahead
Returns from the rural districts
during the last few months have not
indicated great cheer. The high taxes
and low farm prices have kept the
town politicians worried. In the early
shifttng and shuffling for positions IN
the Republican gubernatorial fight,
the big play seemed to be to divide
the farmer vote. Now that il may
have been divided. the party leaders
would appreciate some formula for
bringing the voters together in No
vcmber.
Only Two Farmers In.
Only twice have the farmers had
one of their own people in the gov<r-
nor's chair. That was when Click
and Leedy were elected. Each vas
retired after one term. So the Sarfn-
ers have really had four years in the
saddle during nearly sixty-two years
o. statehood. This situation and the
refTains which come from the farm
districts haven't made the town poll
ticians a hit happy The fact that at
this particular time the Democrat
farm err vote seems rather well estab-
Hshed behind Davis hasn't brought joy
to several Republican headquarters
With only two weeks for final worry
the labor situation might give far
mere engagement. Tom McNeal
has made a big bid for the radical
vote. both in the towns and. rural dis
tricts. Fred Knapp. former state
auditor. also looks for a portion of
this vote, and the other day Joe Dol
ley took an hour off to tell the shop
strikers that they couldn't have a
more sympathetic friend than Stubs.
The next day the message was sent
effect that the farmers with their
grain and stock to ship might have
the moon with Stubbs in the COVER
nor's chair.
a NIuddIed situation.
It is all a muddled situation. Five
candidates want Republican nominal
lions for the two supreme court posi-
tions. There are five candidates for
attorney general. six for superinten-
dent of insurance. three for superin-
tendent Of instruction and contests for
secretary Of state and state auditor
Topeka is loaded down with can
didates. With her two United States
senators already entrenched in wash
ington. the capital city is now looking
for practically all the state house
places as well as Congressman Dan
Anthony,s job With the primary two
weeks away. there are evidences of a
swat Topeka candidates" move by-
the voters.
To Work Overtime.
Every campaign headquarters will
work overtime next week Thew will
direct the flooding of the state with
home grown endorsements and soft
words regarding troublesome siti1a~
rions.
Few speeches are being made by the
candidates. To date the fight h.s
been largely handshaking, press bu-
reau struggle for votes The rnsd
scramble to get the voters herded in
the right direction ought TO reach the
fever stage next week.
AG BOARD PLANS EXHIBIT