The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-20
STREETS AMBITION.
He Hates to Leave the Farm, But
May Run for Congress.

To reporter for the Journal, Speaker
Street said today that he was as cheer
full as any man who had done his duty,
would feel. When asked about the
work of the session he said:
With the exception of the passage of
a good railroad law, the work had been
very gratifying indeed. When it is con-
sidered that nearly all of our side of
the house We're new members, men
without legislative experience, it is
wonder they did so we'll But they were
determined on hard work and pushed
their ideas to the front, notwithstand-
ing the fact the minority was obstinate
and unyielding, composed as it was of
the shrewdest politicians and paIiamen-
tarians in the Republican party of Kan
SaS.
Their only effort was to prevent the
passage of good legislation in the inter-
est of the people. Their action pre-
scented a marked contrast with the ac-
tionS of the POpulist minority of two
years ago. Then our endeavor was to
assist in good legislation while the Re
publican minority only desired to OBJ
struct legislation this year.
will special session be called?'
do not know replied Mr.. STREET.,
but if there is one our members will
be already schooled and all of the COM
mitteeS appointed ready for work. We
could do more in 80 days. than we did
in so at this session
DO you know" said he, ''that 1 have
for long time been an advocate of an
nual sessions? Fifty days every two
years is too short a time in which to
legislate for great state like Kansas.
My idea is that the constitution
should be SO changed as to hold annual
sessions, with the term of the member
two years as now, one-half the mem
berS being elected each year, then one
half of them would be men with the
experience of on or more sessions, While
the other half would be direct from the
people and would be in touch with them.
Then member should be paid enough
to justify his coming here and staying
long enough to do the work required of
him.
when legislature first convenes it
is always called the best looking and
brainest legislature that ever convened.
After they have been in session about 80
or 40 days they are said to be the most
incompetent, dO-nothing set of men
that ever got together. This legislature
is no exception to the rule. But when
the work is summed up this legislature
has done more good work than any two
that ever before assembled and less of
a vicious character
Are you going to try to go to con-
gress?''
mo. I guess not, I have no political
ambition. My only desire is to do my
duty. CThis is the customary guf)
If Mr.. Mccormack makes a fairly
good record, and I think he will. he
should have second term.
Two years ago 1 did not want the
nomination for representative, but it
was given to me over my protest. This
year d1ltT Was ue10atSO IOf the nOIll-
nation for congress, I rather wanted to
come back to the Legislature again just
as an endorsement more than anything
else.
Il enjoy my home, and work on my
farm more than all the fame politics
would bring me, and I never regretted
leaving home so much in my life as L
did when starting for Topeka to enter
the scramble for the speakership. Yes.
indeed, am anxious to get back home
to get on my blue overalls and pillow
shoes and go TO work again.
I feel proud of my record. This is
the first session 1 remember of at
tending where no appeal was taken
from the decision of the chair. At this
session an appeal was never suggested.
Then again I come from further west
than any man who has ever been cleo
ted speaker"