The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-13
HERE'S A WAY OUT
Republicans Might Find New
Senatorial Timber.
James A. TrOutman, of Topeka,
May Be the Man.
AVOID DISTURBANCES.
His Selection Would Prevent
Further Party Wrangles.
Advocates of Peace May Win
the Day.
This Would Mean Selection of
NOn-FactiOnaI Candidate.

It is gossip among the Republican
politicians that James A. Troutman of
Topeka will be the choice of some mem
bers of the party for United States SEN
ator and that Mr.. Troutman will con-
sent to enter the race.
While Mr.. Troutman disclaims de-
signs upon that high office and insists
that he is out of politics for his per
sonal and financial welfare, many of his
friends would be glad to see him can
didate, believing that he would become
a popular one.
The controversy over the seat in the
senate now occupied by Senator Baker
has become so heated that underneath
the surface there is a strong current of
opinion that a new man should be Sc
lected to succeed Mr.. Baker.
While the Baker men insist they have
the fight won the Burton men are just
as strong in the claim that Burton is as
good as elected.
In the meantime, the differences have
become so bitter and the Republicans
are becoming disturbed, that some
of the members of the party believe a
continuation of the contest along the
lines already made would be disastrous.
Thus far the contest between Baker
and Burton has made open enemies
among men who have been working to-
gether for a number of years in the
ranks. There is no reason to believe
that the differences can be adjusted so
that a peaceable contest may be car
ried on. The antagOnisms are now bit
ter and far-reaching and many of the
leaders of the party are arrayed
against each other with the evident de-
termination Of ruling or running the OPP
position.
There are records of bitter contests
among the members of the Republican
party in the state in which men went to
defeat and were never again heard Of
They TI1inaH nTnOSitiOn
They were simply buried and there
were none left to do them honor. The
conditions surrounding the preliminary
SB1rm1SheS OF the contest for 1900 indt-
cate that this will be the fate of one
faction or the other Plans have been
made to keep Mr.. Burton in reserve for
Mr. Harris seat and a united support
has been offered him, but he declines
and thinks he is able to defeat Senator
Baker. The Baker followers, there
fore conclude that unless Burton is will
ling to get out of the way that he must
at this time be defeated and thereby
removed as a factor in the future cam
paigns for this office.
With these complications in sight
some members of the party favor new
men. Some want James A. TrOutman
while others talk about Governor Stan
ley. The governors friends do not care
to see him give up the governors of
flee, feeling that he is assured a second
term and an opportunity to do some
good for the state in the way of re-
I forms at the state institutions, upon
which he is working constantly. How
ever, they would support the governor
for senator if he would consent to enter
the race. This he will not do, however,
so the suggestion that he may be made
| the means of settling the controversy
now in progress will avail nothing.
This gives the friends of Mr.. Trout
man renewed encouragement One Of
them who is a member of the legis-
lature in Shawnee county said to a
Journal reporter:
Il have my mind made up on the
present situation but if TrOutman en-
do later on, shall be for him until the
finish"
Asked for permission to use his name
in connection with this statement the
gentleman from Shawnee" said:
NO, not now. AT the proper time /
shall be very glad to give a public ex-
/ preston of my views but publication
at this time would probably involve me
in a controversy with some of my
friends who are insisting that I support
. either one or the other of the candi-
dates now before the people"
The member referred to was asked if
he believed TrOutman would really be-
come candidate. To this he replied
by saying:
Jim Troutman is just now devoting
his time to the practice of law. He is
getting over the effects of the old boom
days and is doing well. He is a good
man and am confident that under IA
VOrable circumstances he would get
into the race and I also believe that
he would at once become an important
factor in it. He of course, has no pat
rOnage now to help him. but heis uniVer-
sally Acknowledged to be one of the lead-
ing men of the state;no identified with
either of the factions seeking to dOrui-
nate the party and there is no reason
why he should not have just as good a
chance of going to Washington as eth
er OF the men named %