The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-10

doubt that Mr.. Murdoch. in a quiet way,
is already a candidate for that seat
Mr.. Murdoch has not said anything in
Washington that would give this i'm
preston, and it is not known that he
has discussed the matter fully with
Kansas friends. Nevertheless. he acts
very much like a man with senatorial
aspirations.
In a conversation recently. Thomas
Benton Murdoch of El Dorado, uncle.
of the Wichita representative, stated
that it would behoove other can1idates
for the senate closely to watch out for
Victor; that he would be in the
without doubt
Some of Mr.. Murdock's declarations in
respect of the railroad rate question give
abundant ground for suspicion of his
candidacy. 1t may as well be under
stood by other senatorial candidates
that Mr.. Murdoch hopes not only to ride
the wave on the Hailroad question, but
to beat the wave to the shore if he can.
He has seized upon this question more
strongly than Representative p F.
Campbell did upon the Investigation OF
Standard Oil or AIr. Bristow upon the
railroad question, to carry him into
favor as a candidate for seBa tor.
The young Wichita representative Is
only "a He is only beginning his second
term in congress. But he Will be elect
ed for a third term next fall; and he is
popular in his congressional district
the new Eighth. He has taken great
liking to politics. He used to state hat
nothing could wean him from the news
paper profession. He laughed at the
ways of politicians. He affected not to
be tinctured with the ways of states
men. But it was noticed that Mr.. Muir
dock soon followed the way of most of
his predecessors: and when he once got
started at the statesman business, ne
practiced his profession in a profession
al manner.
MI Murdoch likes his congressional
service. He sees its amusing side; but
he takes many things seriously that he
laughed at on the beginning, lie re-
Allies the differences, the vast difference,
between the house of representatives
and the United States senate. lie knows
as we'll as anyone that the house OF
representatives has, in the past rev
years deteriorated as a deliberatiVe hods-
It nov does little but initiate legislation;
and the senate really grlnds out me
real legislation, though oftentlmes the
country grows impatient at the PANS
tal~i1,e and slow manner of the senate.
1t is. therefore, not to be wondered
At that members of the lower mousse
wish to go to the sena te-and victor
Nrl1rdoclS- like Charles Curtis, Phiilp T.
c,amDbeU and w A. Calderhead. IS no
o7-ce6tion. He sees that the railroad
rate question is a vital one. he holos
Dec1l1iarIv strong ideas in this cohhee-
lion He has taken advanced Bfouuu'
and has led IN the flE la .JtA
question in Kansas, even Whell II was
not exactly known what the pro
grananae of the ratiroad-raters would
he i'm congress this winter Appfecidl-
ms the gravity of the question, ana
me temperament of the Kansas PEG
Me Mr. Murdoch has got the senator
ial virus into his system; ana rallfoad-
rates have helped TO lnstll H.
There. need be little question apout
fine Wichita mans ambition ne IS 4ot
senator in 1907 if he can make II
then. and if not-perhaps at some
later time.
The changes on committees IN the
senate and house of representatives
may not be made until rather late IN
This month 1t does not follow that
they will come Immediately upon the
convening of congress.
1t is doubtful if Kansas VIII secure
much more in the way Of committee
assignments than it has at the present
time. There viii be some changes,
such as individual members going
nearer to the head OF the committee.
but few if any additional committee
assignments, unless in one or two cases
! only.
Senator Long has but two good com
mittees at the present time. being CONF
para lively a new senator. Philippines
and Indian affairs. He has member
ship on several others, but not in9-
portant ones. IN committees. both
house and senate the question of SEMI
GRITTY is aii-important. AS a nemb
& o. H. r.