The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-10
Candidates For Legislature Are
Exceedingly Active.
Who is to Be Speaker Already
Discussed.
OSBORN'S AMBITIONS.
He Would Like to Again Pre-
side Over the House.
Bitter Opposition Is Developing
at His Home.

1t is probable that Republican nomi-
nations of members of the legislature
have never been watched so closely and
with so great a degree of interest as
they will be this year. Even this early
in the campaign, before the real cam
paign, in fact, has even been sighted,
the managers of the respective candi-
dates for United States senator are
watching with eagle eyes the develop
ment Of Republican politics in every
county, in order that nominees may be
put up for the legislature who are ia
vorable to their candidate.
The nomination of nearly all these
candidates is still six months away.
After their nomination there win still
be doubt about their election. Not
Withstanding these facts both the Bur
ton and Baker forces are actively at
work. trying to shape matters so that
they can control the legislative candi-
dates. In every county where the
chances are anywhere near even there
Will be a campaign from now until the
county tickets are nominated between
these two forces, and an effort will be
made to force every candidate for the
legislature to declare himself on the
senatorial question.
Not only are the nominees for
the legislature being looked after, but
already-nearly a year in advance OF
the meeting of the legislature itself
wires are being laid for the different
positions of influence in the house. In
terest centerS, of course, in the speak
erShip, but not only are candidates for
this place discussed, but for the chair
manships of the various important COM
mittees as well.
Since S. J. Osborn, speaker of the
last house, has landed in the Burton
camp, it is probable that he will be a
candidate for reelection as speaker in
the interest of Burton, provided he can
come back to the legislature as the rep
| resentatiVe from Saline county.
There is considerable doubt that
| score. Osborn has said that he would
| not be a candidate for reelection, but
| the Burton men are urging him back
| into the race. But he is doubtful about
| it. He received a majority of only SO
| two years ago. and some of his actions
| as speaker did not please his constlt-
| uency. Saline county is a butter county
| and OsbOrn's actions with regard to
| the Interchangeable bill have been
| laid up against him by the farming
! element. The town people also have q
! feeling of distrust toward him because
! he deserted his home town in the aSy-
| lum location fight. He was responsible
| for the house portion of the asylum To-
! eating committee and he would prob
/ ably have had more weight with the
| members Of the committee than ans
| people of Salina trusted Osborn to lool
after the interests of Salina when the
| committee came to Topeka to hear the
| final arguments for the various towns
| that wanted the asylum, but instead o
| coming to Topeka Osborn packed hi.
| grip and went east. For these reason:
his reelection to the legislature from
Saline county is somewhat doubtful.
If Speaker Osborn is not reelected
! it is probable that the selection of tn
Burton faction for speaker Will fail OIL
Henry Mason, of Finney county. Ma
son is a young lawyer of considerable
ability. and he has more prestig
among the members of the Legislature
from the short grass country than an.
other one man. This prestige was in
creased by his election as president o
the Kansas Day club. Two years ag
he was elected to the Legislature TO
the first time, but he was recognized
as a strong men even then, and hi
friendship was sought by both sides. 1
is claimed that he has been lined u
with the Burton men along with
number of Seventh district men, and i
is predicted that he will make a stron
candidate for speaker if he makes tn
!