The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-21
AIT THE CAPITAL.
Kansas Senatorial Race Appears
to Be a Free for All.
Looks Like a Contest Among
Members Of Congress.
REEDER is THE LAST.
Said That Sixth District Repre-
sentative Has Been Approached.
Congressional Aid Sought for
the NeashO Valley.
REEDER is THE LAST

Washington. Dec. 21.-It begins TO
look, from the Washington end. as
though the race for the Burton sena-
toriaI succession will be a free-for-alI.
More than that, it looks as though
the entries viii be made largely from
members of the house Of representa-
tives.
Prediction was made in these col
umns some days since that Victor
Murdoch, the young present repre-
sentative from the Kansas Seventh dis
trict. and the soon to be representative
from the new Eighth. is even now a
candidate for senator. Every day ac-
tions and indications pointmore strong
~ than ever to that course on the part
OF Mr.. Murdoch
Now comes the admission of William
Augustus Reeder of the Sixth district,
that he is being approached" with
view to his entering the race.
But Mr.. Reeder takes the edge off
his announcement, to some extent, by
the qualifying statement that he has
sized the situation up, and believes the
suggestion that he become a candidate
is inspired by his enemies, of whom
there are some considerable, up in the
Sixth district.
Mr.. Curtis, Mr.. Campbell and Mr..
CaIderhead are already out and out
candidates.
Mr.. Scott will undoubtedly be a can
didate if he succeeds in vanquishlng
Henry J. Allen of Ottawa in the Second
district primaries next spring.
Mr.. Murdoch can be relied up. if the
size-up of shrewd guessers is Of con-
sequence. to make the race.
The only reason, in all probability,
that keeps Mr.. Miller of the Fourth
out Of the race is the fact of his well
known warm friendship to Mr.. Curtis,
and the fact that he is long since com
mitted to the First district representa-
tive. d.
Talking about senators, prospective
and otherwise, Walter Roscoe Stubbss
chairman of the state committee, who
tarried briefly here the other day, call
ed on members of the Kansas delega-
ton, and on Senator Long The latter
took the state chairman up into the
galleries, and there looked down with
him on the distinguished array of
American statesmen in the foremost
legislative body of the world. Mr.
Stubs said the viewpoint was very
fair but it is also intimated that he
made some remark to the effect that a
view from. the floor of, thee chamber
would be much more enticing. Mr
Stubs submitted to interviews, called
on the president, and ehatted with
friends He enjoys his little occasional
visits to Washington; and probably is
less and less averse each time to MAX
ing up his mind so that all Kansas may
know of it, to the effect that he would
like to live here about twO-thirds of the
time.
W. R. Bigham of White City, who
came here some days since to be rein
stated in the consular service, his con
nection with that branch of the gov
eminent having been ruthlessly term
mated last spring, is experiencing the
inevitable delay in getting his work
done and leaving the capital. Mr. Big
ham thought matters could be adjust
ed one way or another in a few days;
he has been here ten days, and still
settlement has not been made. Every
thing that he and the Kansas delega-
tion can do is being done in his inter
est; but there is no result yet
This recalls the red tape and delay
that exists in getting things done IN
Washington. Men who come from the
west, and who are familiar with doing
business and settling political matters
are always indignant a Washington
official ways, and New Y ork citys bust
ness procedure when they first visit
these two cities 1t was Dave Mulvane
who once uttered an epigram to the
effect that complaining visitor should
be satisfied if he did one thing a dav
in Washington. Some men experience
considerable difficulty in getting a part
Of one thing done in a day here,
through no fault of theirs. Depart
ments and congress do things in a
routine, we'll esta blished way. It takes
time to accomplish anything for that
reason. Again. men fail to remember
that there are not only themselves, but
g score or hundred Of other visitors
trying to get the same or similar things