The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-23

!
tain it. Last spring before the Repub-
lican state convention the News predict
ed the result almost exactly and the
gentlemen who scoffed at our figures
then win probably remember the result.
The same same people will doubt any
figures made at this time, but they had
better not Practically every member
of the house has been in Topeka since
the two candidates were announced for
speaker and as a rule they have not
gone away without saying what they
would do. Based on the public avOWals
of most of the mebers and the well
understood intentions of others, the
statement can be made that Mr.. j. T.
Pringle of Usage will be chosen speak
er The following figures give the best
judgment we have of the situation at
present;
For Pringle NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. sc
For Barker OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES q
Doubtful -.-...--....- .....-.-.......- IL
The guessers have State Auditor Cole
slated for a number of places under the
incoming administra ton. One guess is
that he win be sent to Washington as
state agent to collect claims from the
government on the percentage plan. An
other is that he will be made state ac-
collntant-this guess is made because he
has recommended that the position be
continued. Nearly everybody has him
slated for a. place on the state tax COM
mission in case one is created. because
he is recognized as being exceptionally
well qualified for such a position. Mr..
Cole stated in an interview in the State
Journal few months ago, however,
that he had no desire to become a tax
commissioner. because the tax commits
SIoner who does his duty will have eY-
erybody mad at him and will be con-
tinually in trouble. and he would not
go on the commission unless he intend
ed to do his duty.
REPRESENTATIVE Tav- of Graham, conn
ty, proposes to introduce an anti-mob
law in the coming legislature. He would
make the city and county in which d
mob wreaks it's vengeance Jointly liable
for damages to the relatives of the vic
tim, he would remove the case to an
other county for trial. and make it the
duty of the attorney general to repre-
sent the plaintiffs in a suit for dam
ages. He thinks would have a tendency
to discourage and punish mob violence,
whereas now a mob or its leaders are
seldom punished.
The latest story on Bale Waggener is
that he has promised to move the Mis-
souri, Pacific headquarters for southern
Kansas from Fort Scott in return for
votes for Long for senator. but one
rumor says the move will be made to
Wichita in exchange for Sedgwick
county votes. and a Caldwell dispatch
says it will go to that town in exchange
for Sumner county votes.
James McDermott, fling clerk in the
office of the clerk of the supreme court.
has been appointed court stenographer
by c. F. Swarts, district judge-elect in
the Cowley-Sumner district, and viii
take that position on January II. He
will be succeeded in the supreme court
by w. H. England, deputy district clerk
of Cowley county.
Rev. A. ]. Pyle, the blind preacher of
the Leavenworth soldiers home. who is
a candidate for chaplain of the lower
house, was in Topeka yesterday after
noon.
One of the things to be fixed up by the
Sixth district politicians today is the
continuation OF Hill p Wilson as as
that the reappointment of Mr.. Wilson is
contingent upon the action of Congress
man Reeder with regard to the Merton
and Colby postofilces. ]. r. Burrow.
Isoekard and McGonlgal who want TO
/ be freappointed to these two pestoffices.
| 1t has been reported that the reappoint
ment of McGonigal, at least, had been
| decided upon, but that is now denied.
and it is said that Secretary Burrow is
holding up the reappointment of MI.
Wilson until Reeder promises to reap
point Lockard and McGonigal. Mr..
Burrow will continue the present force
in his Office until after the meeting of
the legislature at any rate.
C. H. Luling has officially announced
the appointment of Charles w. Barnes
to be assistant superintendent of insur-
ance. Mr.. Luling minated some time
ago that he would appoint Mr.. Barnes.
/ but no official announcement was made
until last evening. Mr.. Barnes prob
ably had one of the best assortments of
| endorsements ever collected in Kansas.
The appointment will be universally
commended.
Query by William Allen White: Two
years ago about this time Mr.. Barker,
of Lawrence. was a candidate for
asserts. he was not a candidate fol
speaker in the interests of any sena-
torial candidate. The Topeka Capital,
however, then openly stated that the
Topeka candidate for speaker had with
drawn in the interests of Mr.. Barker
And further than this, the Capital in its
local columns stated that the Topeka
candidate for speaker. Ed E. McKeevef,
would be given the federal position OF
assistant United States district attorney
in consideration Of his getting out of the
race and leaving a clear field fos
George J. Barker. More than that the
goods have been delivered and Ed Nc
Keever is now assistant United States
attorney. In this instance let it be said
to the credit of Senator Burton, he kept
| his word. But George Barker Just as
| loudly proclaimed then as he does now
that If elected speaker it would be in
the interests of no senatorial candidate
If he told the truth. why was Ed Nc
Keever made district attorney by Bur
ton, and why was it predicted that he
had promised to do so when McKeever
assisted Barker by himself withdrawing
from the racer"
kkEBnARnny EMAaMr