The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-11
THE KANSAS sENAToRsHIP.
Bitter Fight Between senator BAKER
and J.. Il. burton.

WASHINGTON. Dec. Ex-senator Lucien
BAKER. OF Kansas admitted that his
chances of reelection were not so bright
as he would like to have them, but ex-
pressed confidence in his ability to con-
troll majority of the party caucus, which
VIII be held on January 2.
The bitter fight going on in Kansas
over the election OF a United States SEN
@ator Is being watched with interest by the
leaders of the party at Washington. The
contest at present is between Senator
Baker and ]. X. Burton, Of Abilene. Bur-
ton Is comparatively young man, and
one of the most eloquent orators in the
state. He has shown his strength in the
party on previous occasions Six years
ago ne came within one vote OF being
elected United States senator after forty
ballots, and II was only by combination
OF all the anti-Burton people that he was
hnaliy defeated and Lucen Baker elected.
Burton feels that Bakers nomination and
election six years ago were the result of
political manipulation not entirely fair
TO him. Baker has no love for Burton,
who, he declares, has been standing
candidate for senatorial honors for twelve
years. and has made himself the butt of
ridicule by his persistent candidacy.
Inc flgnt over members of the legisla-
ture favorable TO the two candidates was
animated from start to finish. The result
anced. Ii is said that M. A. Low. the
general solicitor Of the Rock Island rail-
S Mag system os at Topeka VIII control the
of the Rock Island railroad Mr. Low is
a potential factor. He could have been,
had he so desired chairman OF the state
cation to the Philadelphia convention, or
Republican national committeeman for
the state. but each OF these offers was de-
clined. 1t has been said that Mr.. Low
would like the senatorship himself al
though he denies any such ambition Both
candidates, therefore, are endeavoring to
secure the support of the Rock Island
man. Just now they are both in doubt,
for last week Mr.. Low quietly started on
an extended hunting trip in the terrific
ries and viii not return until about the
time the legislature meets.
One reason why Burton feels particu-
iarly sore" toward Baker and is deter
mined to have Bakers scalp dangling at
MS belt, II possible. Is because of an oc-
currence in Washington last winter by
which Burton was deprived of an income
of 5000 year by the refusal of the sec
rotary or the interior to approve a con-
tract with the Chickasaw Nation in In
dian territory. Burton charged that Ba-
ker was responsible. The senator smiles
and says nothing.
contract with the Chickasaw Nation to
look after its interests at the national
capital In the way of legislation for the
tribe for a consideration of 5000 a year.
The contract was duly ratified bv the
Chickasaw council and sent to Wash
fngton for the approval OF the secretary
or bad th sr interior and the president Burton
United states senator TO succeed Baker
and was then pushing II vigorously When
the contract arrived at the interior de-
partment IL was allowed to rest on the
secretarys desk for several weeks FL
nally II was decided that II was mot in
line with the policy Of the department
TO approve contract providing for the
representation OF the Chickasaw Nation
before the department and at the capitol
here" Notwithstanding this announce
ment of the policy of the department the
Cherokee. Creek and Choctaw nations
had been allowed to have similar repre-
senta ton here, Mr.. Burton therefore be-
lieved that there had been political Jug
White House. and thought he located the
responsibility on Senator Baker. That
IL left a wound goes without saving Bur
ton was rescntful and redoubled his eff
nent and thus defeat Senator Baker for
reelection.