The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-21
MR.. INGALLS, SAYS NO.
He Will Not Be a Candidate for
Senator This Time.
THOUGH MANY REPUBLICAN VOTERS

Are CIamOrfng for HIS Nomination
What He Told 1Ir.SeatOn-The ARCH
isOn Representative Explains His
Letter.
John Seaton of Atchison who issued q
letter to the members of the legislature
shortly after election, asking them to
come up unpledged, is frequently asked
to explain how he reconciles that posi-
ton with his present support of }. X
Burton for senator. To a JOURNAL re-
porter who made the inquiry of him, Mr..
Eeaton said:
There is nothing inconsistent in my
course at all. / am now for Burton be-
cause of his services to the party, BE-
cause of his vigor ana because / think
he would take high rank on the floor OF
the United States senate. When L MADE
up my mind to support Burton, told
him that it was not on account OF any
personal attachment or utilization.
For a long time after coming up here
l was in doubt whether to support Judge
Thacher or Major Hood, and not until a
few hours before the caucus did l come
10 the decision | did.
"My letter asking members to come
here unpledged has been greatly misin-
terpreted and a construction has been
put upon it which l never had in mind.
at was said by many that it was
covert scheme in favor of Mr.. ingalls,.
such was not the case at all. few
DAYS before coming here Mr.. ingalls, sent
for me and said he wanted to talk over
the situation. You have been my
friend said he; you have gone down
with me; you have helped elect me, and
you have stood by me in the fights that
have been made against me. There has
been a great deal said in the newspapers
and elsewhere that | am a candidate for
the senatorship. but 1 want TO tell you
frankly and honestly that such talk is
not instigated by me. l have not been
in this campaign for myself. and l told
Mr.. Burton SO. If in two years from now
the Republicans should see fit to give me
my old seat, l should accept it CRATE
fully
81 told Mr. Ingalls, if he should 60 into
the fight and be defeated now he was
then virtually defeated two years from
now. 81 know it." said Mr. ingalls,, II
know it,
Further" said Mr. Seaton, 81 want to
see the choice made from the avowed
candidates now in the field. They have
spent their time and their money in
making the race, and the prize should
not fall as plum to some one who has
made no effort When l say spent money
l mean legitimately, for a man has to
have helpers and they have to eat"
"In case it developed that Burton could
not be nominated" said the reporter,
''would you support one of the other can
didatesf7
"In such an event would graciously
acquiesce.' said Mr.. Seaton. Il have 10
personal feeling in the matter and would
gladly support one of the other candi-
dates. As have said before, for a long
time besitated between Judge Thacher
and Maj. Hood.
Another misconstruction which has
been placed on my letter is that | wanted
TO be speaker. That is all bosh. eff 1
had wanted to be speaker l should have
tried for it The reality of the matter is
my heart was wrapped up in making
Col. W amer speaker, but when | found
that couldn't be. l stayed with the oppo-
sition. CuEbison was not my choice.
was importuned to come over to the Lob
dell side, but remained fixed in my de.
termination till every one got out of the
way. The result is that the speaker has
completely ignored Col Warner and me
ever since, while those who traded of
have been amply rewarded l have no
complaint. however, for my action was
straig and my conscience lets
me sleep well.
THE whole purpose of the letter l
wrote was to have the mem bers I'm bias ed
in the organization of the legislature.
was afraid that in the enthusiasm over
the victory as shown by the big demon
stration here in Topeka they might make
pledges and commit themselves in haste.
The statement in your paper last
night that had been promised the nomi-
nation for governor two years hence by
the Burton men made me laugh If
had wanted to be governor I should have
made the race for it. There were many
people who urged me to be a candidate
this last year, so if l had desired this
nomination should have worked for it
I've explained why l am for Burton and
there is no trade or promise or combina
ton in it l am not for sale.'