The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-08-17


taking myself too seriously. When
the virus of the governorship candi-
dacy began to work in my system 1
do not think I had any real compre-
hension of the job which was asking
from the people of Kansas. But now
that l am considerably further along
the road to the state house, I realize
the responsibility and the problems
which are likely to confront the chief
executive of a state like ours.
My experience and training ought
to make me a good man for the place.
But I can look ahead and see some
hard work, anxiety and troublesome
questions.
In the first place let me say that
these things which my opponents said
I would do were practically all mag
mary. am not in favor of hard roads
in any county where the people of
that county themselves do not want
them l am not in favor of sending a
lot of money to Topeka for disburse-
ment, but think it should be handled
by the commissioners of each county
under business regulations. To put
my road position fairly, 1 will say l
believe the people who pay for the
roads ought to have the right to say
whether they want rock roads, gravel
roads, dirt roads, or whatever other
kind of roads are fashionable in that
locality.
Also, am not in favor of any law
which works a hardship to laboring
men. If the Industrial Court Law,
fairly and squarely administered, is
not a help to labor as well as to cap
ital and to the general public, 1 will
be in favor of changes or its repeal.
I do believe that in industries which
affect the public, there should be an
adjudication of differences without
approximating civil war. 1 invite
laboring men to consider this ques-
ton carefully with the full knowledge
that unless eventually we have their
sympathy and cooperation, no law
can be a success.
One of the duties of the governor is
to enforce all laws. / will do so to
the best of my ability and any law
which the people do not want en-
forced, they had better ask the legis-
lature for its repeal.
have made no promises, direct
ly or indirectly, except as have made
them through the columns of the
Hutchinson News. l will not be car
rying out anybody else's platform or
policies unless / think they are all
right. I will expect to take part in a
party council which viii make a plat
form on which nominees for the legis-
lature as well as the nominee for
governor will take their stand and to
which the people will hold them after
they are elected.
From time to time will be discus
sing in The Hutchinson News and
elsewhere, plans for economical, eff
cient and perhaps better government.
1t is no reflection on any administra-
tion or legislature in the past to say
that there is constant room for i'm
provement and it is up to each sue
ceeding generation to do its part.
Those who know me will realize
the truth of the statement which
make, that there is no class and no in
dividual in Kansas who cannot come
to me at any time with ideas or com.
plants, with suggestions or with crit
icisms, and get the fair and square
treatment, which is all that anybod!
can get. win not make any prom
ises which are impossible to perform
but I viii in every case, try to do
little bit better than would reason
ably be expected.
- Anyone reading the foregoing re
marks viii agree with me that an
in danger Of violating that 18th com
mandment, which is said to read
Don't take yourself too darned ser
iously." On the other hand, I ais,
agree that I viii not go around wit
a long face, demanding that every
thing shall be done according to m,
own notions. expect to have goo
time in the campaign, revisiting a
many parts of the state as possible
No one need feel that viii come wit,
q message Of sorrow but rather wit
a friendly effort to study the need