The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-27
In State Politics
INT IN The THIRD
Kansas g. o. P. Forces Sitting
on Political Bomb Today.
Governor May Get Behind an
Independent Candidate.
R. C. MEEK IS THE FAvORITE
He May Oppose w. H. SprouI
Who Is After Labor Vote.
Big Fight for Successor to
Cong. Phil Campbell.
R, C, MEEK IS THE FAvORITE
BY A. L. sHULrz.


There is more red hot politics pop
ing in Kansas today than anytime
since the party councils. The next
thIrty-siX hours will determine
whether Richard-C. Meek. of Parsons
will file as an independent candidate
for congress in the Third district.
The filing promises to open up a fine
new vein of trouble ana may not only
determine the Third district fight, but
promises to bring state leaders into
the scrap in new and unexpected
manner.
Today the state house fellows see
several new pictures for the political
screen in this. state. They see in
Meeks threatened candidacy the de-
velopment of situation as compli-
Gated as the Roosevelt electoral
row of ten years ago. There is also
the brightest prospect for some red
hot litigation and the bringing into
the open fight of a new faction al
hSnment in Kansas politics.
Gov. Allen May Endorse Him.
Il Close advisers Of Governor Allen
are known to be behind Meeks prob
able candidacy. There is a rumor in
the state house that in event the Par
sons man runs the governor himself
may give him an endorsement. AL
ready Meek has received the o. X. of
one of the strongest Kansas admins
tration publications in Missouri. Com
pltcations are added by virtue of the
fact that Neck lives in Parsons, the
home of Clyde NJ. Reed, chairman of
tho public utilities commission and
one of Governor Aliens closest -ad-
visers. A report in Topeka today is to
the effect that Reed is in his home
town for a conference regarding the
now congressiora al tangIe.
The story of Meeks candidacy is
short.
When w II. Sproul defeated Con-
gre man Phil P.--Campbell for re-
nomination in the Third district Re
publican primaries. he Immediately
made a strong bid for the big labor
Vo o in the Third. Sproul came to the
party council and proposed a plank
which declared for repeal of the in
dugtri1I court law. He lost his fight
hcfore the resolutions committee, but
Fhs reiterated his stand in recent
speeches in his home district.
S;ci,hcns Against Court.
Charles stephens of Columbus
Democrat congressional nominee, is
ga, nj ,-tl1ts-lfsI5erA-cOtI t law 50
inUvc-was started recently to place an
irdcpCndcnt candidate in the field.
". k has declared his Intention to
run.
ate house reports. are today to the
a. "Cs that the state administration is
i.sft throwing rocks TIT Meek's ambi-
ttss posed 70 pfTr-bouGuets on the indie
pendent candidates longing for a seal
~ Washington-partic in view
o. u reported ASST tion that he is for
n federal labor court Jaw.
II Meek gels on the ticket with adj
niui-tration help behind him. Sproul.
TIM Republican nominee. will doubt
los be in trouble up to his eyes. The
situate would tend to make as GER
tain tho defeat of Sproul as the elm
i'.a.ion of both Roosevelt and Taft i'll
1Inns7s IN 1912 when they split the
Republican party vote
Much New Trouble
The situation would also open a
barrel of now trouh;e. Sproul and
his friends are certain to begin sharp
ching their knives FOR the Allen, meh
once they get behind Meek. On the
other hand the DEMONSTRATION crowd
will plead party rc,u arity by assert
ing that Sproul BOXED the labor court
sp,at plank and that the young
sIGrsons |; is the one and only
simon pure Republican in the field
such an argument to be sure would
Mt reduce quotations on the stephens
stock in the least. 1t would likely
make defeat of SDroul as simple q :
shooting fish in a tub, but election of
stephens. who is also opposed to the
court law, might prove rare and
expensive fractional loyalty to the in
du-trial court principle
There seems to be just one Way to
'sidetrack the big consignment of trou-
bic which is looking the Republican
party scunrely in the face this after
noon. That is thru litigation which
Sprouts friends will probably begin
as soon as Mister Meeks comes to
town with his petition and entrance
fee. e. L. Burton, former member
OF the legislature from Lahette coun-
ty and n lawyer, is watching the rat
hole and preparing to shoot as soon
a something happens.
Has Three Tricks.
Burton seemingly has three tricks
up his sleeve. He will play table
stakes once Meek tries for place on
the congressional ticket.
1t is Burton's theory that Meek cam
not secure a place on the congression-
al ticket at all. His second argument
is 70 the effect that men and women
who voted in the party primaries in
the Third district defined their party
affiliations and are barred against
signing of petitions for an independ-
'eut candidate.
Burton also expects to advance the
idea that Meek disqualified himself
as an independent candidate when he
went into the Republican primaries
in August. If the Sproul crowd can
get a favorable decision on one or all
of these legal points it may head off
a lot of the trouble which seems to
be stored up for the Republican party
in the next few weeks.
Otherwise the action OF General
Martin in sending the guards and spe-
cial police home may have been a bit
premature.