The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-23
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NJ. N. MURDOCH. Editor.
CORURN A CANDIDATE.


F. D. Coburn seems hating between
his better judgment and the importuni-
ties of ill-advised friends. Mr.. Coburn
Was frequently and favorably mention
sd, early in the season, by q number
of newspapers as an available man for
the Republican nomination for govern
br, from the fact that as secretary Of
The state board of agriculture he had
not only proven a success but as such
had come in touch with both the farm
ers and business men Of the state. Co
burn, in short, in adVantageOusly
booming Kansas in making the most
of her returning prosperity, caught on
to the flood tide Of opportunity which
orifted him prominently into deep
waters. But after taking his soundings
he concluded, and we believe honestly,
shat he could not afford to take the
chances of giving up a satisfactory po-
sition for an uncertainty, and further,
that, at bottom, he had no desire to as
counter the perpIexing responsibilities
of the chief executiyeship. So in an
address before the late meeting Of the
state editorial association he formally
ind emphaticaIly announced that he
was not candidate, would not be
candidate, and that his name must no
longer be considered in such connection
by his friends, whom he heartily
thanked. But there is an off-side con-
tingent in the state whose members in
failing to control the guiding hands Of
its political affairs, are ever seeking to
"catch on" Coburn seemed, for many
reasons, to be the man suited to their
desires Thus despite his determine
ton to stick to his present job and Of
his announcement that in no event
would he become a candidate for the
nomination, the representatives, of the
contingent so designated have
been importuning him, day and
night, to reconsider, assuring him that
Notwithstanding other strong men who
have since determined TO become can
didates, and without reference to all
the new pledges made subsequent to,
and because Of his declination, he
would, nevertheless, sweep the state
like a prairie fire before a blizzard. if
he would but consent to the use of his
name Mr.. Coburn has, as these off
side fellows have insisted that he
would all along, finally consented. In
letter to the editor of a weekly paper
in northwest Kansas, written day be-
fore yesterday, he says:
Il have said in all sincerity that
was not a candidate forI and would
make no effort to obtain such a nomin-
alton. In the same sincerity, will say
also that if the party's chosen spokes-
men in convention decided that was
the most available candidate its nom
ination would be accepted and all in
my power done to honorably place
Kansas in harmony with our splendid
national administration, where she
rightfully belongs"
IhlS letter, or a copy OF 1t, was hand /
ed to the Topeka Capital, whereupon /
that paper, yesterday morning, an
nounces that Mr.. Coburn is a full !
fedged candidate for governor in the |
sense that he will accept the honor if |
1t is forced upon him
This will not do. Mr.. Coburn is a good |
man. But there are others. The state |
is full of good men, able men, faithful |
Republicans, who deserve well at the |
hands of the party. men who are en-
titled to recognition, and who merit |
even the honor of being chosen govern
or. But that, nor any other position.
will ever be thrust upon them This
kind Of thing no longer comes unsought
no matter what the prerogative. what
the desserts or the distinctive virtues.
Besides, many men who were favorable
70 Columns candidacy, and who would
have enthusiastically worked to that
end, have in the interim of his first
place declination and this after CON
alteration, made other pledges as be
tween the men Offering, and Mr.. Co
burn Will later see his mistake in con-
senting to become the instrument of
the fellows who have their own fish to
Try.