The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-08
WAS HEADED OFF.
Story of a Little Political Game
and It's Ending.
How Willy Kansas Politicians
Were Nearly Entrapped.
BANGLE BEFORE EYES.
SenatOrship Plum Held Tempt
ingly Before Them.
Almost Duped by Startling But
Rosy Promises.

"A few days ago there was crowd
of politicians gossiping at the Cope
land. The party settled down to cigars
and stories. the number being increased
as now and then other visitors came
and joined the brethren.
The political situation was being dis
cussed in a jovial manner and the con-
versation finally returned to the United
States senatorship. During the talk
which followed a scheme on the part
of J. r. Burton was uncovered
Mr.. BurtOn'S work for several years
has been in one direction only-the
United States senate. He has done
nothing for political friends which
would not advance his interests in the
chosen direction. He has followed this
as faithfully a minister pursues his
calling.
Mr.. Burton's friends are now conf
dent that he will land the coveted prize
next year. He hopes to be able to Sc
cure the defeat of Senator Baker, and
for this reason he has urged other can
didates to get into the race. This, he
figures, would scatter the strength
which might otherwise be solid against
him, and while this condition prevailed
Mr. Burton hoped to get the necessary
votes.
The Abilene orator recently evolved a
new plan which he hoped would &C
complish some good for his campaign,
but an unfortunate comparison of notes
by the crowd of politicians in the con-
versation referred to fiattens the whole
business and Mr. Burton must get
something new in hand.
The scheme which Burton adopted
was to get the men who are now talked
of out of the way. Among them may
be mentioned Cy Leland. Ike Lambert,
Morton Albaugh, H. E. Richter, Chester
Long and other lesser lights of the Re
publican party in Kansas
When the conversation turned to the
subject of the senatorship, one mem
of
You fellows are thinking about how
much of a cinch you have on the sena-
torship. But 1 want to say right now
that 1 am going to get out and wait
until Mr.. Harris place will be filled.
Then 1 will be elected
A laugh followed this sally, but i'm
mediately Ike Lambert said:
THAT sounds a good deal like a prop
osition which 1 have had submitted to
me-"
Chester Long smiled and said:
1T seems to me that I have also
heard something of that character
Cy Leland leaned forward and tapped
the floor with his umbrella, then looked
--orn one to the other in the crowd
around him. He said:
I'm to be elected myself
''How's that?" anxiously inquired a
half dozen men.
THAT same proposition has been
made to me-
Then the crowd roared. After the
laugh subsidized, Mort Albaugh said:
L m IN on the same thing
Then the politicians talked it over.
Each told of his experience with refer
ence to the matter. 1t was developed
that Mr.. Burton has been to each of
these men and urged them to keep out
of his way next year. He explained
the matter by saying:
with a com ined effort on the part
of my friends I can be elected to the
senate next year. If we are all in the
race we will be defeated and some new
man will get the prize. Now you get
out of the way and III be elected. Then
when it comes time to fill Harris place
I will be in the senate and l can con-
troll the election of his successor if we
have a Republican house and senate.
will dispense the patronage in your
interests and in this way We can both
crafty our ambition"
When the men referred to found out
as a result of this conference at the
Copeland that Burton had been at
tempting to pocket them in this play
they sat and stared at each other. Le-
land was first to break the silence. He
simply said:
1--WE will now go to work in earnest