The Kansas Democratic News from Topeka, Kansas • 1

1 SUBSCRIBE NOW! Blank on Page 4 $1.00 per Year 0U The Kansas Democratic News VOL. I. TOPEKA, KANSAS, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1212, 11 NO. 1 BANQUET HELD THIS EVENING Washington, Feb. 21, 1916.

iBIG CAMPAIGN IN JEFFERSON DEMOCRATIC BANQUET AT PERRY SHAWNEE HAS STRONG CLUB PERMANENT ORGANIZATION IS STARTED IN TOPEKA. Mr. KANSAS DEMO. CLUB GROWING AFTER TEN YEARS BANQUETS LARGER THAN EVER. T.

M. Lillard, Sec'y Kansas Democratic Club. TOPEKA AUDITORIUM WILL BE CROWDED WITH DEMOCRATS. Senator W. E.

Chilton of West Virginia Will Be Principal Speaker of the Evening Convention Date and I Publicity Campaign Will Be Settled Today. 1 IS BIG SUCCESS. Opera House is Crowded by Eager and Enthusiastic Thiong to Hear Governor Major of Missouri, and Other Prominent Speakers Expound Sound Democratic Doctrine. Misfortune in my family, of which I have informed Senator Thompson, prevents me from leaving here. I am indeed sorry.

Nothing but this misfortune could prevent me from going. I am indeed disappointed and I will always remember your generosity in thus complimenting me. (Signed) W. E. CHILTON.

R. W. Blair is Chosen President to Direct Activities During Coming Campaign, With An Able Corps of Assistants and Enthusiastic Members Augurs Democratic Success. W. F.

Sapp Wanted New Blood in Democratic Party and His Fondest Hopes Have Been Realized Many Notable Men Have Been on Various Annual Programs. The officials of the Club have been in securing Gov. John H. Morehead of Nebraska, a splendid Democratic orator and leader in his state, to take the place of Senator Chilton on the program. The eleventh annual banquet of the Kansas Democratic Club will be held at the Topcka auditorium this evening.

Democrats from all parts of Kansas have gathered in the Capital city for the annual Washington birthday feast. The hotels are full and the lobbies are teeming with the faithful of the old guard and those of the younger generation. The new voters the women are also much in evidence. Democratic politics fills the air in Topeka today. The regular milling of old friends is a pleasure and an POCAHONTAS ENTHUSIASTIC PRES.

WILSON A CANDIDATE ANNOUNCED THAT NAME MAY BE USED AT PRIMARY. Pure Jeffersonian Democracy was typified to the highest degree at the Jefferson County Democratic banquet in Perry February 10. The adherents of the Democratic party, both the young and old, the citizens who have voted for Democracy for years and those who were granted suffrage when Democracy triumphed in 1912 all were there. Two hundred and fifty persons crowded into the banquet hall in the opera house and ate together, and listened to the flow of oratory. Gov.

Elliott. Major, of Missouri, an avowed candidate for vice president, was the principal speaker. He aroused his hearers to the highest point of enthusiasm when he declared there were five great presidents Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and Wilson. List of Speakers. Other speakers held the intense interest of the large audience during the evening.

LaRoy M. Penwell, an old Jefferson county boy, one of the leading Democrats of Kansas, and a possible candidate for Governor, was the toastmaster. His introductions were apt and his stories were well selected. He received a round of applause when he was mentioned as "Governor" Pen- excitement wnicn iew wouiu care ORGANIZATION OF SHAWNEE miss. County chairmen are holding COUNTY FEMALE VOTERS.

their meeting and will choose a place for the State Democratic Convention Mrs Logan ig President of The Democrats of Shawnee have the liveliest flub that has ever been known in Shawnee county. It was organized on January 11, 1916, at a dinner given at the Creamerie Restaurant. On account of the capacity of the hall the tickets gold were limited to fifty. There were fifty-four men present, however. The meeting was called to order by Otis S.

Allen, who acted as chairman. A constitution and by-laws were adopted and the following officers elected: R. W. Blair, president; H. J.

Corwine, vice-president; Otis S. Allen, secretary; and George Young, treasurer. An executive Board was named as follows: A. I). Birch, C.

A. Moore, C. J. Peterson, T. W.

Thompson, W. H. Kemper, W. F. Logan, H.

L. Studevant, W. Cochran, and H. B. Lowe.

The following standing committees have also been appointed by President Blair: On Publicity. Harry C. Green, A. L. Green and C.

M. Hill. On Program, J. B. Barrett, W.

F. Logan, L. M. Penwell. On Membership Extension, F.

E. Whitney, A. D. Birch, and M. L.

Bishop. House Committee, consisting of C. to be held the latter part of March New Club that Will Aid the Dem He Writes Letter to the Secretary of State of Ohio Which Sets at Rest All Fears that He Might Not Enter the Race for Re-nomination at the Democratic Convention. In 1905 when W. F.

Sapp was chairman of the Democratic State Central committee he organized the Kansas Democratic Club. In speaking of the matter at that time he said: "We want some new blood in the party. We want the younger fellows to have a chance to tell what they know. They will have the opportunity for we have put the young men on the list to make short talks." Mr. Sapp's idea was to organize a club that should meet annually and give a program with some national speaker as the main attraction and a half dozen or so of the younger Democrats as speakers.

With that in mind he drafted half a dozen hustling young Democrats in Topeka, appointed them as an executive committee and told them to get up a banquet. He sent out invitations to Democrats all over the state to come in and attend his first party. One of his principal assistants in pushing the work to a successful conclusion was Mrs. Minnie W. Cooper, his private secretary.

First Banquet at Throop. On February 22, 1905, the first banquet was given at the Throop Hotel. The 350 plates the hotel could provide were quickly sold and standing room only was at a premium. As soon as Mr. Sapp got his crowd in Topeka he stepped aside and John F.

Switzer called the meeting to order and the following bv-laws were adopted: The name of this organization shall be The Kansas Democratic Club, and its object is to promote the principles of the Democratic party, and or the first week in April. Topeka, Wichita and Hutchinson are contending for the honor. The question probably will be settled before the day is over. Editors of nearly a hundred Democratic papers in Kansas have come to Topeka to exchange views and to get new ideas to use in the campaign in their respective communities. A plan of general, state-wide publicity will be evolved before these editors return to their homes.

ocratic Party in Shawnee County to Attain Success at the Polls Next November. The Pocohontas Democratic Club was organized by Shawnee County Democratic women at the Mills Tea Room February 14. This organization is not a militant suffrage affair in any sense of the word, but its purpose is to be a practicable aid to the Democratic party in Shawnee County and the State of Kansas. The object is to line up the women who are in any The officers of the Kansas Demo- well of Jefferson county. Young Democracy was well represented by three of the hustling students of the county.

Theodore Blevins, of A. Moore, A. D. Birch, R. N.

Latt-ner, F. E. Whitney and M. L. Bishop The annual dues of the club are cratic club who have been working way interested in the success of the early and late to make the banquet a Democratic party in county, state i 4V tltAiw And national plpction.

Tlip who Almost everv I success nave ueen rcjwu i AimosL cmhj havp bppTi inetrnnipntal in Dip nrain fixed at one dollar. President Wilson has formally announced that he will be a candidate for re-election. The president has written Charles Q. Hildebrandt, secretary of state of Ohio, as follows: I am enclosing to you a letter the occasion of which I daresay will be quite obvious. Friends in Ohio have called my attention to section 4954 of the general code of Ohio as amended in 1914 with regards to primary elections, and have requested that I indicate my willingness to have my name used.

I accordingly take the liberty of sending the inclosed letter as formal permission under that statute. The "inclosed letter" reads as follows: Honorable Charles Q. Hildebrant, Secretary of State, Columbus, 0. My Dear Sir: While I am entirely unwilling- Vp.nter into any contest for tte "pVtfsiuein au.uiiiavion of the Democratic party, I am willing to permit the use of my name that the enorts. ine prospects uum mc cauj crowds indicate that the banquet, will nation of this club, wish it to be under-hp the lara-est ever held since the i stood that there is no intention of con- the Uscaloosa High School spoke on "Our Chief." He paid a high tribute to Woodrow Wilson, when he said he had made preparedness an ideal of his early life by preparing for life duties through the thorough equipment of a profound education, high moral attendant at the first meeting joined the club, and new members are being added every day.

At the present writing it has 120 paid members. The first work of note performed by mciiiig in any way witn otner ciui club was organized. of a non-partisan character T. M. Lillard, secretary, has been At the initial meeting Mrs.

W. F. Logan was elected president. The other officers chosen are: Mrs. Lyle Bishop, vice president, Doctor Lillian Malone, secretary and Miss Grace Overmeyer, treasurer.

A meeting was at tc Topeka CI ah on February 15 bv a committc from the Pocohontas club composed of Mrs. W. F. Logan, Mrs. Lyle Bishop, Mrs.

Democrats in Ohio may make known Frank E. Whitney, Mrs. John Patzell, their preference in regard to that nom- "We are not proposing a large standing army on a military basis, but what we do propose is what men and women from their hearts dearly desire, an army of men, not only willing to fight, but --vrith- to vindicate thje honor, of the nation if it should come to that. One of the crVelest things we could do would be to send our boys to the trenches in ignorance of fighting methods Modern war is different from the times of the American Revolution. An army to be efficient must have men who understand the scientific procsses of war.

I do not advocate a standing for America but a body of men who understand war, men who can go about their peaceful occupations nine months out of the twelve Those men who spent three weeks in the business mens camp of instruction last summer, say that after their course was ended they had learned but the rudiments of war. But they learned obedience and service, they had caught the spirit of what must be done to defend the country in time of need." Woodrow Wilson to Kansas, Feb. 2. "The spirit of America would hold any executive back, would hold any congress back from any action that had the least taint of aggression upon it. We are not going to invade any nation's terri-toij.

We aie nut going to covet any nation's possessions. We are not going to invade any nation's rights. But suppose, my fellow countrymen, some nation should invade our rights. What then? "What would Kansas think? What would Kansas do then? What would America, speaking by the voice of Kansas or any other state in the Union, think and do then? And I have come here to tell you that the difficulties of our foreign policies, the delicate questions of our foreign relationships, do not diminish either in number or in delicacy and difficulty, but on the contrary, daily increase in number and in intricacy and in danger, and I would be derelict to my duty to you if I did not deal with you in these matters with the utmost candor and tell you what it may be necessary to use the force of the United States to do." Woodrow Wilson to Kansas, Feb. 2.

Doctor Lillian Malone, and from the ination. In order, therefore, to satis fy the technical requirement of the statute of the state of Ohio, I hereby consent to the use of my name as a candidate for the presidency by any candidate who seeks to be elected a delegate to the national Democratic convention which is to assemble in next. Respectfully yours. WOODEOW WILSON. The letters were made public at the White House without comment.

Shawnee Democratic Club of H. J. Corwine, F. E. Whitney, Otis S.

Allen and Harry C. Green to arrange for the "Get-Acquainted Meeting" which was held at the First Christian Church Friday evening, February 18. The selection of the name Pocohontas for the first Democratic women's club in Kansas, as far as reported, was out of compliment to Mrs. Wilson, who is a direct descendant of Pocohontas. The Pocohontas and Shawnee Clubs will work in harmony during the cam attainments, and a sound understanding to give a banquet in the City of To- of the nation 's problems the Club was in connection with Pres- busy much of the time in the last idont Wilson's visit to Topeka on Feb-! two or three weeks completing the ruarv 2.

While the meeting was non- final arrangements. He has been ably isted bv Frank E. Whitnev. treas- paign to further the best interests of mitteeof citizens from all parties, thejurer, and members of the banquet com- the Democratic party in the county and James W. Orr, of Atchison, Democratic candidate for the state senate from Atchison and Jackson counties, and also candidate for Democratic national committeeman from Kansas visited a number of state offices a few days ago.

TWmeratic Club decorated the mittee, who are ueorge loung, ueorge All of the women in Shawnee and made all of the ar- H. Coates and Otis S. Allen. A large peka on the 22nd day of February in each year, or on the following day when the day falls on Sunday. The officers shall consist of a President, eight Vice Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of seven.

The Secretary Treasurer and Executive Committee shall be residents of the City of Topeka. A Vice President shall be elected from each Congressional rangements for the big parade. County who are interested in the success of the Democratic party are eligible to membership. Why I Like the Democratic Party. Why I Like the Democratic Party was the subject of the address of William M.

Beall of the University of Kansas. He gave a number of reasons why he was a Democrat, and told of the depleted condition of the state institutions under long continued Republican misrule and false economy. In speaking of the preparedness policy of the Wilson administration, he scored a strong point in comparing the number ot tne members ot tne fcnaw-nee and Pocohontas Democratic clubs have also given valuable assistance. "a On February 28 a second meeting i -e ru.iV, wraa Vipl.t in or memoers ui. When W.

C. Lansdon of Salina, presi ni.Uitnmii A rtitinor S. H. Allen, father of Otis S. Allen, secretary of the Shawnee Democratic club is the new chairman of the Com-mitttee on uniform legislation and The Topeka Commercial Club is making effort to land the Democratic state convention for the capital city.

J. Will Kelley, secretary is at work now on the plan. tne unww "JZ dent, opens the program tonight, he was served at 6:30 and short speeche Bt were made by Hon B. Blaii Judge J. C.

Ruppenthal Father be Moore, W. H. Kemper, R. M. ates.

C. M. Hill, J. Will Kellcy, Hon. W.

The gallery will be thrown open The President, and in his absence, preparedness methods of every city 'the Vice President from the district amendments of laws of the state bar association. in having a fire department, ready at Benson Hon. A. S. Cooke, Hon.

free to those who wish to listen to the John Schick Ljp. wj-Ab rillllll.iTCC CAD ATI AM A I rAUUITTCC ind h.j. w. Lewis, of Kin-lev. secretary I ifl II I III 111 I I I I 11 111 I II I lOI I 11 I VI I VI I I lit members were addeu to we uuu u.

th(j gtate central asked ing this meeting. tlat a room be reserved for the com- JAMES W. ORR. W. F.

SAPP. W. F. Sapp, the present Democratic The members are taking the live- mittee meetings. This was done bv lames W.

Orr. who is a candidate liest interest in the Club and mem- reserv5nj, the assemblv room at the Tlpmnprntip X'ntionnl Pom mitten National Committeeman, is a candidate bership is eagerly sougnt ior. Lt is National hotel. Horace Humphries, man nas resided at Atchison, in this I for re-election and his friends clai his hopes will be fulfilled. There is no better known Democrat in Kansas all times to fight fire, and a police department ready to fight crime and disorder.

A fire department does not increase the fire hazard, neither does a police department increase crime nor a breach of the peace. Albert E. Ferguson of Washburn College spoke on "The Mexican Situation," The concensus of opinion was that he handled that difficult subject as a vereran speaker would have done, and explained the administration policy in regard to the sister Republic to the south. His justification of the so-called "Watchful Waiting" policy of President Wilson was remarkably apt and well thought out. Dr.

Harding for Congress. A candidate for Congressional hon evident that Democrats are proprietor of the National, is a Demo- state, continuously for thirty-five years more numerous every day and are tak- erat ni wp1 known as a awver and ing more than a passive interest shawnee County will vie with politics. At present he is Special As-the campaign even at this early date. Wyandotte Sedgwick counties to sistant to the Attorney General of the Another meeting was held February nave tne largest delegation at the I United States, having charge of the 18, at which the members of the Shaw- It is expected that prac-1 important litigation of the Government than Sapp. He has campaigned all over the state and perhaps has made more speeches in the different counties than any other man.

Naturally he nee Democratic Club and the members Really the entire membership of both to dissolve the relations between the 'has some enemies, because he has not the First Christian Church on February gnawnee County organizations will be Southern Pacific and Central Pacific been able to support all men at all of the Pocahontas Club, a woman's seated around the tables. 'Railroad companies. For twenty-four i times, but he has always been regular Democratic Club were present. The women who are here from out years Mr. Orr was a member of the and supported the candidates of his interest in it seemed fully as enthus-' cjt tfl attend the banquet will Kansas Democratic State Central Com-j party.

He has been liberal with his iastic as that of the Shawnee Club. 1 l- thn mm of the mittee; has served two terms in the I Own funds, and even those who are in which Topeka is located, shall preside at the banquets. Each Vice President shall suggest to the President suitable men in his district to serve as speakers, and shall also furnish the Secretary w'th the names of Democrats in each county in his district to whom invitations may be sent. The Executive Committee shall elect one of their members chairman, and shall meet at his call. The Committee shall select a place to hold th? banquets, make all arrangements therefor, appoint necessary committees, and have charge of all the affairs of the organization, except as otherwise provided herein.

Speakers from Kansas. One speaker of renown shall be selected from abroad and the others from the different parts of the state. No resident of the state shall be twice selected as a speaker. The President shall select the speakers, and shall furnish the secretary with their names at least thirty days before the banquet. At least thirty days before the banquet the secretary shall send invitations to at least ten resident Democrats in each county of the state, and persons desiring tickets shall notify the secretary and remit the price fixed, at least seven days before the banquet.

The treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds, and shall pay all bills on the order of the secretary, ors in tne rirst district, ur. r. legislature; was mayor of the city of not for him for re-election express the Harding of Topeka, formally shied her Atchison six years continuously; has opinion that he has been fair and "bonnet into the ring" as she ex-been a delegate to six Democratic Xa-1 honest and that all money he has pressed it. She said the Democrats had Both of these clubs are composed nr.0i101ltas club during the afternoon, of Democratic workers who" may be kers on fte program Bre: depended on to do the things which (, Saina) pre3ident of are necessary to be 6e advancing! toagtmagter. W.

E. Chil- tional Conventions and on four com-1 received for political purposes in Kan- allowed the Republicans to gobble all mittees selected by those conventions sas has been spent bv him for the the credit for the suffrage amendment, the cause of Democracy aim especauv West Vir J.1 eood of the cause. All democrats it was the Democrats who granted suffrage. She brought forth applause when she declared that "the women had been baptised in the Democratic carrying on tne woik oi mt- tum-dug campaign, it is the only effecient wav of getting together those who are willing to work for the cause and it was for this purpose largely that the clubs were organized. party, and I have never backslid." I have fought the battle all along to officially notify the presidential candidate of his nomination.

He was an original Wilson man, is one of his strongest supporters and sincerely anxious for his reelection. His acquaintance with National politics and with the men who control National affairs is at least the equal of that of any other western man and his selection as National Committeeman would bring to the conduct of the next campaign a wide experience and a man who is held in high esteem by the administration. the line to make Kansas a better place know that when he could not get enough money from the National Committee to answer his purpose he would go into his own pocket and contribute. Sapp has lived in Kansas for many years, coming here as a boy. His father, who had old-fashioned ideas, required each of his sons to learn a trade, and W.

F. Sapp learned the hatter's trade. He came to Kansas intending to follow his trade, but locating in Galena changed in which to live," she said. Col. William F.

Sapp, of the national Democratic committee, outlined the coming campaign in a rousing speech. "I have gone early and late fighting ginia; John E. Wagner of Lamed: W. W. Holloway of Kansas City; Miss Laura of Emporia; Judge W.

S. Lang-made of Oberlin; Ben S. Gaitskill of Girard. The vice presidents of the Kansas Democratic Club are: 1st District, Chas. H.

Herold, Seneca. 2nd District, W. G. Tullos, Kantonl. 3rd District, James E.

Buck, Columbus. 4th District, Glick Fockele, Le Roy. 5th District, Walter B. Stingley, Manhattan. 6th District, B.

M. Dreiling, Hays. 7th District, Harvey Eckert, Larned. 8th District, E. M.

Eby, Wellington. This is to be a banner year in Jay E. House says: "The Demo cratic organization in Kansas, which has been very vigorous for the past two or three years, seems to have gone to seed. Yes. and the seed has sprouted and a his mind, took up the study of the aw.

and has been a success as a vigorous plant is growing for the cam approved by the chairman of the executive committee. The secretary shall provide a book in which each person attending the banquet shall register, and they shall then have a vote of officers, except members of the executive committee, for lawyer. He has also been a great succe is as a business man and is now largely interested in zinc mines. He paign. Tt will be "loco weed the Republicans.

for the ideals of the Democratic party," he said. "The Democrats have never been nor never will be affrighted nor appalled. Election time would come and they would knock us down but they never licked us. We have nothing to apologize for but the dishonesty of the Republican party. (Continued on page 3, col.

3.) ha9 the wealth necessary to enable The Kansas Democrats are preparing to put up the fight of their lives for Wilson and the whole state ticket. With a united Democracy in the face of the warring factions of the Republicans, there can be but one outcome victory. Kansas Elevator. him to play politics as a side line and Henry L. Jost.

present mayor of Knnna Citv. has been renominated the inclination to pay whatever the for the following year. The election of officers shall be held (Continued on page 3, col. 4.) game costs by the Democrats by a large majority. Democratic politics is..