Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1922-11-30
new SESSION
TO SEE PLAY
FOR POSITION
Republicans Are at Sea
in Picking the Next
Election Leader
BY A. L. Shultz

Topeka, Nov. 29-Kansas Repub-
licans who have dug from under the
recent Democrat landslide and re-
covered from the nerve shock, are
beginning to think about the cam
paign of 1924. In reorganization of
the party in Kansas for the next
campaign it is pretty certain that the
state leaders will keep close eye on
the new legislature. 1t isn't at all
improbable that the next governor
Of Kansas win be developed in the
state house milling this winter.
The Republican party in Kansas
was never more at sea. There was
never greater uncertainty among
the men and women who hold their
hand on the public pulse as to the
next best move. So there is a gen.
eral tendency to sit back and listen
to the speeches in the house and SEN
ate next winter, to wait for the Kan
sas Day Club talkfest and milling
and the meeting Of the state editor
ial association. Out Of the winters
activities may come the man who
can reunite the Republican party in
Kansas in 1924 and make the organ.
izatiOn a going concern. The work
ers are looking for man that can
combine organization and leadership.
1t is a rather open secret since the
election that the party came through
the campaign with more holes in its
sails than in a four pound slab of
cream cheese. 1t wasn't the fault of
fellows at headquarters. Nor was
the trouble with individual candi-
dates. 1t was simply season of
reckoning when everyone brought
their grievances to the polls and the
days clearings were more than the
Republican bankers could pay.
Two years hence there will be a
desire to look for someone who can
make everyone forget. The one man,
one law, one class idea isn't likely
to 20 well in 1924. Instead the party
leaders will try to promote candi-
date who can create desire to throw
the old books in the furnace and N
start all over. II
Nor is the old fashioned idea Of
getting together by giving he NOM
nations to. oney class or fiction mi,
the party likelx to become populF. ,
Twice that planhs been tried in the
last ten years, Twice the Republican /,
party has ,,hxhS$uch a liriting al it
never knew In the old days of the
sinful, iniquitous convention. Twice
the get together program was on the
basis of the ancient standpat sinners :
1oing the heavy work and the pro- .
yressives. taking the jobs because of !,
heir fine moral influence in the :
- !.
"Harmonizing" Unpopular
There is likely to be little. Of the
I'D style plan two years hence. Too
many voters Of the generation recall
he "harmonizing' on Stubs and
Capper and the disasters of 1912.
And payments on the Allen. account a
ire still being pushed through the !.
window. In 1924 there is likely to
,e some hard boiled ham and eggs
'olitcs for a change. The goody- :
,oody STUFF and standing up for
that is nice is doubtless .
1CC tWlCC, LII tCh y SetAS |
he Republican party got an awful =
low in the southwest precinct when
N indignant constituency turned out
O swat leadership that, was for
ward looking and admitted it.
Three men who will be quite in ;,
around the legislature this -
winter are certain to receive a SER u :,
ous look over the governOrship heat. :,
)ne Of them is Senator Francis G. e
rice of CLARK, county. dean Of the o.
enate and warrior without a fear.
mother is Ben 8. Paulen, lieutenant = :,
governor. The third is Senator Jas. -
v. Finlay Of Chanute. Strange as 1t - y
nay seem neither of them has been y
houting a dervish in public affairs. =,
hey have been just 100 per cent = =
republicans who believed in things =,
nd never looked for the popular side =. =.
4 a fight. Yet of the 1856 men and @
women in the next legislature, they y
vill~ probably be at the hop Of the :,
lst for inspection In the selection Of e.
.ousih1o 0nvarnorahfn candidates Ae