The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-21
CAN HARDLY STAY
Burton May Have to Resign
Against His VIII.
Pressure Of Senators Is BecOm-
ing Strong.
TALK OF A TRIAL.
sumOr That He Will BE Given
His Choice.
lay Face Impeachment or Give
Up Seat.
Speaker StHbbs Practically Ger
tain to Be His Successor.

washington, Jan. Kit can be sta
ted on authority of several members Of
the Kansas congressional delegation
that Senator J. R. Burton is likely to
be forced to resign his seat whether he
wants to or not. The pressure which
will be brought to bear viii come from
his own colleagues in the senate.
Feeling is very strong among the
members of the senate that while Sena-
tor Burton has secured a new trial OF
his case on a technicality, the supreme
court went as far as it could to indi-
cate that the charges which formed the
basis of the prosecution are well
founded. There is strong feeling
among the members of the senate that
a man resting under such suspicion
should not be allowed to occupy a seat
in that body.
Senator Burton would be waited upon
by one of the senators, delegattd to act
as spokesman for the majority. and in
formed that he would be given a chance
to resign his seat, and that unless he
did so. he would be put on trial before
the senate for Impeachment. This is
the plan which was followed in the case
of Senator Caldwell, who was accused
Of Spending 100000 to buy his way into
the senate. Caldwell resigned rather
than face trial. and there is no doubt
that Burton WOULD do the same.
In this connection a chapter in the
Burton case which has not generally
been known has just come to light
Encouraged by the decision Of the SUI
preme court. and by the action Of Sem
ator Mitchell, Senator Burton endeavor-
ed to secure the consent of the senate
to address that body in his own be-
half, but his efforts were quietly, but
none the less emphatically discouraged.
The attempt followed fast upon a ten
tative effort made by him to obtain ia
VOrable consideration from the govern
ing powers of the senate for his pro-
posal to resume his seat Senator Bur-
ton broached the matter to a number
Of leading senators. The presiding Off
Ger, Senator Frye, was disposed to con-
slider the proposition favorably, but, af-
ter submitting it to other senators, he
decided not to encourage Burton in his
efforts.
The above washington dispatch
throws some light on political moves
which are taking place in Topeka, and
which indicate that the resignation OF
Burton under pressure is expected to
take place at almost any time
1t is of course to the advantage Of
those who are on the inside, and who
know what is coming, to keep their in
formation to themselves until they can
develop their plans for the election OF
Burton's successor. The man who is
billed for advancement is w. Roscoe
Stubbs, speaker of the house.
Every move made so far has been
carefully ambushed: even the large
procession of Stubbs' followers do not
know what is in the air. The secret
is carefully guarded, and meantime
Stubs is being coached for the race
when the time comes.
If it is left to Governor Hoch, there
is not much doubt of Stubbs' success.
If the pressure gets too strong for
Burton before the legislature adjourns.
it will be a different matter. Stubbs'
must be carefully nourished
in the house and senate, in preparation
for the day of reckoning.
This raises the question, Is Stubbs'
in the house on the wane?
So far there has been little to indi-
cate that it is. Stubbs has been able
to carry his points with considerable
unanimity But there are many who
believe that there is danger ahead for
AIr. Stubs. Some of the new mem
bers of the legislature who rode into
office on the boss buster boom are
grumbling about the way Stubs runs
let the members of the house do as
they please about matters, but that he
Is inclined to assume the right to die
tate what shall be done. This is per-
haps true; Mr.. Stubbs has some rad
cal ideas about the way things should
be done, and he is not the kind of
man to sit back and let people walk
On his ideas.
There was a clash between stubbs
and the house members on Friday af-
-ernoon which indicates what is often
likely to happen. Ine majority OF
he members of the house wanted to
follow the example of the senate and
adjourn until Monday. Stubs is op-
posed to "over Sunday adjournments
When the house got away from him
and adjourned last week, he told his
friends that this would not have hap
oened if he had been on the floor.
Friday he did something very unusual
,or him: he kept his seat on the floor
IF the house almost constantly. It
vas the first time during the session
hat he had stayed on the floor of
he house, and it created comment.
Nj. Stubbs was there on guard against
In "over Sunday" adjournment.
At about 4 o'clock the clash came.
Robinett moved to adjourn until
,'clock Monday afternoon. Stubbs
vas on his feet in an instant, facing
he house. His thunderous voice arose
over the din of the house as he ex-
claimed:
IT want to call your attention to the
7ast amount Of work which this house
has before it, and to the fact that
here are only 40 days remaining In
which to do that work. I don't doubt
hat there are many of you who need
o go home over Sunday, and these
,ould probably get excused, but 7 be-
ieve we would still have a working
majority left here. and could continue
o do business. If you quit on Friday
IntiI Monday afternoon you lose close
o three days time out of the week:
TOu work only four days Of the time
you are supposed to work If it is
possible, I would like to stay right here