The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-25
KANSAS sENATORSHIP.
Some Interesting Gossip About
the Matter
By 4 REPUBLIC" CORRESPONDENT.
Something About ehe Candidates and
How the Wires are Being Pulled

~--A~-ab
How the Wires are Being Pulled.
The Topeka correspondent of the St
Louis Republic who has spent some time
working up sstory'' for his paper on
the senatorial situation in Kansas, writes
as follows:
\ During the past two weeks the Kansas
campaign, SO far as the Republicans and
Popuiists are concerned, has turned upon
the election of mem bers to congress and
the legislature. The Republicans claim
that there is no longer any question
about the election of the state ticket, and
that the fight from this time till election
day Is for the Legislature. The Popuiists
deny these claims and say they can elect
their state ticket by making sure of
Populist legislature.
There is great deal Of dissatisfaction
among many Republicans because the
leaders are attempting to dictate the
candidate for United States senator The
leaders and mem bers of the committee
have refrained from naming anyone as
their choice out Of the four or i've can
didates, and insist that the senatorship
must not be discussed. but the manner in
which two OF the senatorial aspirants are
put to the front in the best meetings held
throughout the state has caused much
adverse comment from the friends Of
other candidates
At the beginning of the present cam
paIgn four candidates were announced
for the United States senate. They were
A. w. Smith of Mcpherson. j. w. Ady Of
Newton, J. r. Burton of Abilene and
Major Calvin Hood Of En- poria.
From the Cpeni ne meeting of the cam
align to the present time Burton has had
the call, and he has not missed a big
rally arranged by the committee that Il
was possible for him to make
Secretary BristoW Of the committee is
a strong supporter Of Burton and as he
has his hands on the throttle the machin-
cry Of the party is being manipulated in
the Abilene aspirant's favor. Bristow's
work has been so adroitly planned and
executed that the majority of the COM
mittee do not realize what is going on
few days ago the Republicans of
Seward county, in the south west corner
OF the state, held their county cOnven-
ton. There are not to exceed $50 voters
in the county, but as the county will
probably send up a Republican member
of the legislature. Burton was sent there
to talk TWO hours to the l09 people as
sem bled-
Until recently Ady was not in the field
as speaker, although he is regarded as
one Of the strongest campaigners in the
Republican party. A. w. Smith has been |
unable to get into the campaign, though
he is an average speaker and well known
in the state, having made the race for
governor two years ago, lacking only
5000 Of overcoming the $4,000 majority !
of the com bined opposition.
He, too, has been side tracked, and |
can only secure appointments from the
committee at places where there is a de- |
mand for him. Major Hood is not a
public speaker. He Is a practical bust |
ness man. He is in no sense politician. /
He was. during the career of Senator l
Plumb, his close personal friend and /
business associate
There are thousands of Republicans, I
as we'll as Democrats. who believe that 4
if the Republican party wins the legisla- 1
ture, such a man as Major Hood, who 1
would inspire confidence in the east, I
ought to 60 to the senate. rather than the /
political manipulators like Burton and ]
Ady. In the organization of the commit |
tee Major Hood received a black eye in 4
the defeat of Frank FIenniken, private 1
of the late Senator Plumb, who /
was 4 candidate for secretary. Senator I
Plumb's friends in Kansas also resent it. 1