The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-14
STRANGE STORY.
RumOr That j. r. Burton Is
Discouraged.
Now Willing to Withdraw From
Senatorial Race.
WHAT HE DEMANDS.
Senator Baker Must Help Him
to Indian Job.
His Interference Has Blocked
the Appointment.

The very latest political 1umor which
is circulating in Topeka is that J. r.
Burton is in Washington. attempting
to make an arrangement whereby he
retires from the race for senator in
favor of Mr. Baker.
The proposition it is claimed Burton
is making is that Senator Baker shall
aid him in landing the 5000 per year
Indian job. in exchange for which Bur
ton is TO retire and Mr.. Baker is to
return the compliment when the time
comes to fill the place now occupied
by Senator Harris.
The politicians believe that Senator
Bakers influence is necessary before
Mr.. Burton can land the Indian attOr-
neyship. although Burton and his
friends have heretofore claimed that
the deal had been made and would be
carried into effect no mattel what Mr.
Bakers position might be.
However, the Burton people believe
that Baker has held UP the appoint
ment and this is the reason assigned for
Mr.. Burton's supposed plan TO get Off
the track at this time
The job which he is slated to have
pays $4,000 per year This is the same
salary which a United States senator
draws. 1t is now claimed that Burton
prefers the sure things to taking a
chance on an election next year For
these reasons some of his friends claim
that Burton is ready to get out of iSak-
er'S way.
Some of the Topeka friends of Bur
ton deny that he is making any over
lures to the opposition, while others de
cline to deny or affirm the truth of the
rumOr, which reports these plans on the
part of Mr. Burton
Some months ago the Baker forces
were ready to enter into an agreement
with Burton by which Burton was to
support Baker next year. Baker in
turn was to pledge the support of him
self and friends to Mr. Burton in the
campaign for senator in two years
This plan was abandoned because Mr.
Burton felt that he could land the nom
inatiOn next year The Burton forces
then adopted the plan to have the stat
convention nominate the candidate Tor
senator.
Work on this plan brought the con
test up to the meeting Of the state cen
tral committee of the party last week
The politicians are almost unanimous
in the opinion that the Burton forces
were WOrSted or at least would have
been had the show down been demand
ed or forced, despite their claims 70
the contrary.
There is one thing which is true and
that is the fact that Mr.. Burton did
not feel well result of the confer
enCe. He was mad a good share of the
time and did not hesitate 20 Criticise
some Of his associates very bitterly.
He referred to one of the men from
whom he had reason to expect the sup
port of nOn-i interference in his plans as
a filter" To another ne said You
have been fOOlinC me" To another he
expressed Indignation at the conduct
of some Of the members of the commit
tee and seemed 10 be in a had humor
during the greater part of the time the
committee was here. Soon after the
committee met Mr. Burton is alleged
to have adopted the plan to enlist Bak-
er's support in two years
1t is claimed by BurtOn's friends that
he has gone to Washington to complete
the preliTninaries in securing the Indian
Territory attorneyship. but some Of the
politicians assert that Burton's mission
is to prevail on Senator Baker TO with
draw his objections to the appointment.
1t seems that there is but one way to
accomplish this and that is by the
withdrawal of M. Burton from the race
for senator in opposition to Mr. Baker
This if it should be brought about.
is but an acceptance on the part of
the Burton managers, Of the PROPOSE
ton Of the Baker people. which was
discussed some weeks ago. The hold
ing up Of the Indian job which Mr..
Burton very much desires to land. fur
nishes the opportunity for him TO make
Overtures.
When the news of this plan to give
Mr.. Burton place in the Indian service
was made public in the Journal for the
first time. friends Of Mr.. Burton wired him
to loOkafterit. The Burton people claim
ed the job would be conferred in a short
time that was early in October. It
and his friends are becoming alarmed.
They believe that Baker is the power
which is withholding the honor and
Il NnT D.