The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-03
Mr. BoWersock Last Senatorial
Aspirant on Ground.
Proposes to Other Candidates
That They Go Back.
PROPOSITION DECLINED
Supposed That Barker Called
Lawrence Man Home.
Hakes Public Announcement Of
Support of Barker.

The last of the congressional senator
Cal candidates arrived on the scene Of
action last night when Congressman
Bowersock came uD from Lawrence. H7
has been in Washington until few days
ago. returning home Thursday night
Mr. Bowersock had announced that
he would not come to Kansas to take
any part in the senatorial fight, but
would stay in Washington and attend
to his duties there. He proposed to the
senatorial aspirants that they should do
the same thing but his proposition was
turned down. and both Mr.. Curtis and
Mr.. Long not-footed it home to Kansas
as soon as they could do so, and Mr.
CaIderhead came along afterwards.
For some reason or other Mr.. Bower
sock changed his mind about remaining
IN Washington and attending to his du-
ties there He stayed until the holiday
recess was about over and then ne
treISed back to Kansas. TT is suspected
that George ]. Barker sent in hurry
call for 8owersock to come to his res
cue in the speakership contest
The first thing Bowersock did, how
ever. was to hunt up Long. Curtis and
Calderhead and renew his proposition
that they should all 20 back to Wash
tnRton and leave the legislature to elect
a speaker and United States senator in
its own way. but again the proposition
was turned down Topeka is extremely
interesting to these gentlemen just now
Mr.. Bowersock is open. of course in
his support of Mr.. Barker for speaker
fnasmuch as Barker was his congress
sfonal manager and is from his hom
town. He Goes not say. however. how
far he viii go in the s9eakershiD con
test
"Of course I am for George ]. Barker
for speaker Mr.. Bowersock said. IF 1
could influence only one vote would
give it to Barker. If could make Bar
ker speaker / would do So / could ao
nothing else He is my townsman and
aside from cur personal friendship owe
a duty to him on account of local pride
that i could not get away from. How
FAR can WELD my influence in his be-
half cannot saw. but I want 1t under
stood that what I can do for him 1 VIII
do regardless of what may hapDen TO
myself We owe duties TO our friend
as we'll as to ourselves. and / VIII not
shirk any duties ] owe to George j.
Barker
Mr.. Bowersock says that threats have
been made to him that if he takes a
hand IN the sDeakership fight in Bar
kerfs interest. a fight viii be made on
his denomination two years hence. Dut
ne says he is not to be frightened by
threat He said the threat did not come
from either Long or Curtis.
A Kansas City paper yesterday pub
hshed a story that Nat BARNES was sent
to CHICAGO by CYRUS Leland to meet
Mr. Bowersocx: that Barnes shadow
ed the returning congressman and got
on the same train With him and rode all
the way to Kansas City with him. urg-
ing him to pull Barker out of The race
A.9HV NJ
organ of Mr. BOwersOck, contains the
following with reference to the story:
we are authorized to say that the
article Is faxed from beginning to end.
except that Bowersock passed through
Kansas city on his way home Bower
sock did not meet Barnes in Chicago,
did not rice ON same train, did not tex
with him about the sDeakersh1p at any
time. and l30wersOck has never directly
nor indirectly thought of the withdraw
al of Barker much less suggest it, So
FAR as Mr.. BowersOclS is concerned Mr.
Barker is In the race to stay and to win
ON his merits as an experienced legisla-
tor and sneaker and without regard to
the senatorial struggle
Now that New Years is over it is ex-
pected that the politicians and members
of the legislature viii begin to flock t.
Topeka In great numbers. Within a
few DAYS some of them viii come To
locate fer the winter. BY the last Of
next week probably "a aiOrity of the
members Of both houses viii be here.
IA caucus of the Third district mem
bers is scheduled for next Monday Jan
uary 5, and on Tuesday the Sixth dis
trict caucus viii convene and take up
the task of picking out the jobs which
that district wants I'M the lower house
Most Of the members have already en-
gagged quarters for the winter. but a few
are stil on the hunt. About twenty
state senators and four or five member
/. of the lower house have rooms at the
National Quarters at tho Copeland arc
al premium until after the senatorial
fight win be over. The candidates each
have several rooms for headquarters an.l
their managers also have rooms in addi
tion to those which have been engaged
by the members Of the legislature. A
number OF members VIII stop at the
Ihroop and others are scattered among
the lesser hotels A good number how
ever. have engaged quarters in private
boarding houses
From now on the different contests be-
fore the legislature viii begin to shape
themselves in detail Many Of the MEM
pers VIII be here and VIII talk things
over among themselves of course
nearly every one has made up his mind
on the main contest, United States sen
Alof' state printer and speaker, but
tnere VIII be great deal of work fer
second choice votes and to capture the
votes Of the minor candidates.
G. II. Luling, superintendent of insur-
slrce-elect, Will retain his home in Wich-
ita. He is a member of the citv coun-
ell ia wichita and viii continue to act
in that capacity.
o. g. Ballard. one of I.eavenworth
county representatives. viii back ur
Senator Henley Of Lawrence in an at
temnt to get measure through tb.
legislature providing for the use of con
Elct LABOR in road making. As a starter
IN tne direction of making system Of
hrst-class state roads. ne win intro51c.
9lii providing for the construction OF
wen graded and macadamized roads be