The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-11
BENSON The MAN.
Continued from Page u


Judge Benson was ex-senator H. F.
Sheldon Sheldon has whiskers very
much like Benson The owner and eoi-
tor ofea Topeka newspaper rushed up
TO Sheldon in the state house corridor
and congratulated him on his appoint
ment to the office Of United States SEN
ator. 7 have never forgotten that
speech you made against the oil refinery
last winter dubbed the editor, with
great enthusiasm He was left in ig
norance of the fact that he had been
congratulating the wrong man.
Hoch Is Pleased.
Governor Hoch manifested great
pleasure at the acceptance of Judge
Benson. He said:
Il knew that it was doubtful whether
Coburn would accept, but ] thought
that possibly the tremendous pressure
of the people would bring him into line.
never saw such a popular demOnstra-
ton for anyone as there was for Co
burn. Benson is a fine man for the
place. I don't know what his chances
are for election. I shall take no part in
that. That is for the legislature to set
tie
Samuel 7. Howe was summoned to
the governors office before Judge Ben
son left, and the governor, Benson and
Howe had a short conference.
Benson and Howe were the members
of Governor Hoch's advisory board in
the state treasury matter. After the
conference Governor Hoch said:
We thought it would be a. good plan
to wind up the work Of that board.
Judge Ansel Clark is coming to Topeka
There is nothing further for the board
to do, and so Judge Benson's place on
it viii not be filed"
Load on His Mind.
Secretary Coburn was back at his
desk bright and early this morning.
and looked as though a load had been
lifted from his mind. 1t is known now
that Mr. Coburn never gave Governor
Hoch the slightest encouragement that
he would accept the honor. When
Governor Hoch first talked with Mr..
COburn, Mr.. Coburn told him that he
would not accept the commission as
United States senator if it were offered
him on gold platter. After talking
with his wife and family, Mr.. COburn's
decision to have nothing to do with the
senatorship was strengthened For
appearances sake, however, 1t was
agreed that Mr. COburn should not
make his formal answer until Satur-
day.
Mr.. Coburn said this morning: eff
there is one thing more than another
that hope my action will show to the
young generation of men it is this: that
high honors sometimes come within
the grasp of a man who walks erect;
that a man does not have to be
politician nor does he have to grovel
on his abdomen to obtain a high Office.
I have no desire to go into the United
States senate; I don't want cabinet
office. I am content with my position
here. with my own kind of people.
THE governor was at first, very
naturally, sOlicitous that the matter
be disposed of promptly but he readily
saw propriety In my insistence that as
it was entirely new proposition to
me, and one of possibly no little i'm
portance to himself, to the party and
to me it should be treated with more
of elaboration II not dignity than the
appointment of some eager applicant
to be justice of the peace. So. what
ever his first impulses or personal de-
sires were I am sure that even though
the governor may be disappointed
with nv declination he must and al
ways viii be glad that although the
temptation or prize that came to me
so suddenly was great one had suf-
flcient poise or sanity, along with re-
spect for him, the exalted Office of SEN
ator, and for myself, to give it. before
acting the best thought of which I
was capable. This ] have done and, as
always. cheerfully assume its conse-
quences along with acceptance of any
criticism It may prompt.
Strange as it may seem to some I
could scarcely be expected by the sober
minded to hurry off to Washington by
first train to cast possibly the deciding
vote upon momentous questions of the
most far-reaching Importance when I
have had no occasion to think about
them or opportunity to hear them dis
rect voice in their determination 1t
might be that any other appointee could
do such things, but it wouldn't be my
way.
LAS to what the legislature may do in
the matter of a senator I have given no
fh0T4cv1f nd invited OnfnfOf7 crOn6-
ly number of kindly-meaning, If not
sagacious or potent friends, including
numerous legislato have volunteered
assurance in writing and in person that
acceptance of appointment now would
make an election later delightfully."- easy.
I might be persuaded that with proper
effort such an election could be brought
about, but as I do not wish to be a
senator under any circumstances OF for
any term, short or long, its discussion
is futile. The same also as to the sug-
gestion that acceptance of the senator
ship now could be made stepping stone
to q presidents CABINET. There was a
time when 1 would have been glad to
be offered the portfolio of agriculture at
Washington, but that time will never
return.
"All the years of my majority have
been spent with the people of Kansas
and I would be uncomfortable and lost
If away from them for even a short time
although filing the most exalted office
any administration or party could be-
stow.
Il may be abnormally constituted,
and probably am, but none the less ap-
preciative of the high distinction ten
dered me by Governor Hoch when so
many other men, ADLER and more ex-
.perienced. were available"
Good Work in Legislature
Judge A w Benson achieved a
more than state wide reputation by his
work in the legislature of 1905. He
represented the Sixteenth district,
com prising a part of Franklin county.
in the house. He was opposed to the
bill providing for the esta blishment OF
a state oil refinery. He contended that
the measure was unconstitutional, and
the speech he made on this point was
one of the best delivered in either
branch of the legislature during the
winter.