The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-06-16
ST. JOHN AND THE sRNATORsHIP.
Gossip Of the Csniag Contest In Kansas, and
the PIass Beiag Laid for it.

1t is generally admitted that the Governor has a
powerful element at his back. Whatever else may
be .aid Of him. he has certainly developed into one
Of the shrewdest politicians Kansas has ever pro-
dnced. An illustration of his skill was shown in the
late city election in Topeka. The Hon. J. e. Wilson
was chocen Mayor, by agreement between all fac
tlons. His frst official act the appointment Of
T. ii. Cochran Nc City Marshal Cochran formerly
kept q saloon here; was President of the People
hibitiOn oaInendment; and his appointment dis
tasteful to the prohibition element that had contrib
uted 50 largely to Wilson's election. Public feeling
ran so high that the council refused TO confirm him
Gov. st. John Was appealed Ia. lie consulted COcl-
ran, and. after securing assurance from him that
the new liquor law should he enforced vigorously
he announced to the prohibition people that Cochran
would henceforth work with him and the opposing
councilmen were thus prevailed npon for the
confirmation The secret of this movement is under
stood to be- that Gov. st. John obtains the united
support of the city officers in the election of member,
of the Legislature from this County; and that they
shall be chosen in accordance with the wishes of the
Governor in connection with the United States Sen
atorship lie has worked up other Counties in a
similar manner, and .'leaves no stone unturne,l "
that has chance of u supporter under it. Against
any other man than Plumb his prospects would he
altogether the hest but with the warm feeling ex
listing for Plumb, il is not believed that ST. John can
be elected, although it is admitted that he may
up with sufficient strength to accomplish the defeat
of Plumb, aud the election of some ebonized equine
or compromise candidate. The general impression,
however il that Plumb will be returned. Though
not n railroad man in any sense of the word, Senator
Plumb il friendly to nll railroad enterprises and
not de-rous of seeing them crippled, especially in
the West. where they have been of such valuable
and indispensable aid to the settlement of the conn
try, and prosperity of the people.
number of Kansas papers maintain that il was
SenatOr Plumb who received the dislIatrh frun Jaw
Gould during the Stanley Matthews controversy
asking him (Plumb) If he could "consrientiorsly
vote for the confirmation of Matthew'S Other pa
Pers deny that Plumb received this dispatch and
assert that IT is an open secret that ST. John is
Could candidate for the Kansas Senatorship The
Gould railroads of Kansas all supported ST. John for
Governor, last year, with great cordialty. Ii will
also be remembered that Gould gave ST. John a
check for 5000. last fall to be used in furnishing
supplies to the destitute settlers the frontier and
has shown friendship for him and his adnIinstra-
tion, in variety of ways. The Governors brother
ln-law was recently appointed attorney for one of
Gould's roads in Southern Kansas, at a salary of
s2,oOO year, with limited amount of legal work to
perform. The position Is one of considerable inti-
ence in that Section and will be used to promote the
Governors candidacy. Should he be removed pend
ing the contest the Governor could point to the fact
as an illustration Of the in which the rail
roads were working against him. II the attorney is
retained. his influence will be thrown ST. john if
he be removed it would still help st. John Either
form Of the dilemma points to st. john and, not
withstanding the Governors aversion to taking n
horn, il il generally believed that he will scoop il
in.
The matter of redistricting the State for Congres
siona purposes will figure somewhat in the Senator
ship. The present delegation of Com ressmen will
stand for reelection, and will oppose re-appor-
tonment, leaving the increased pro-
vlded for TO he selected at large. BY combining
their strength, the present Members of Congress
think they all he back and the question of
session OF the Legislature, which will he the best
plan, it will avoid extra session of the Legis.
ature, and save all that expense to the State The
Governor does not want to call extra session,
the people opposed to il hence it is believed
the plan above suggested will be pursued.-Topeka
Cor. Chicago Tribune.