The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-11

pocket a commission from Governor
Hoch of appointment TO the Office OF
United states senator from Kansas, to
succeed Joseph r. Burton.
All the details were fixed up this
morning in a consultation at Governor
Hoch's office At 11:45 the formal
commission was drawn up. and sent to
the Topeka Business college to be
transferred to parchment by an expert
peuman At the same time, Judge
Benson sat down at the governor
desk. and drafted his resignation from
the office of representative in the leg
isiature. which he placed in the gov
ernor's hands.
Judge Benson was accompanied to
Topeka this morning by Henry Allen,
Senator Horace Smith, ex-senator H.
f. Sheldon, Representative ]. H. Ran
som and Thomas w. Morgan Morgan
and Sheldon are Democrats.
When Governor HOch returned from
Marion on a delayed train at o'clock
Saturday evening. he found Charles
Sessions, his private secretary, awaiting
him at the depot. Mr.. Sessions had in
his possession Q. long envelope from Mr.
Coheurn containing Mr.. Coburn' S refusal
10 accept the position of United States
senator. The refusal was as follows:
Governor E ". Hoch.
My Dear Governor. This is ac-
acknowledgement of the honor you have
pronered me in the form of an ap-
pointment to the United States senate
TO fiil the existing vacancy. Consider
ing all the circumstances of its making.
and that it was unsought and unexpect-
ed. 1t is a compliment such as comes to
few. and therefore extraordinarily graft
fy'ng-of which you scarcely need be
assured. Such generous expression
OF your confidence. given unqualified
ly, viii always be to me a source of pro-
found pleasure
''As was my duty, I have carefully
deliberated upon every aspect Of the
situation and, acting upon my know
ledge Of It and of myself rather than
the urgency of yourself and many
friends mutual and otherwise, I can
reach no conclusion except the one in
dicated from the first. Namely, that I
must not accept.
Il am extremely fond of the work and
the position with which the people of
Kansas have entrusted me for so many
years. and if continued in their service
at al, no other can be so acceptable
Ihere are many reasons, entirely
clear TO me, but needless to enumer-
ate. Why / should not accept the sena-
torshtp. and one. all sufficient Is that
doing so must inevitably involve me in
political activity and combinations. If
G9t factlonal strife. directly on account
Of myself. or indirectly on account Of
others, for which I am without fnclfna-
tion, aptitude of strength
snal be deeply panied if my decis-
ION snail seem ungracious. or IN any
wise cause you Inconvenience or en-
barrassment.
With sentiments of esteem and graft
sude am, as for so many years. your
friend r n rSPTrPoy ;.
In a private note to the governor.
MI Co6urn suggested the name of
Governor HOch at once went to his
home and acted Immediately upon Mr.
Coburn's suggestion. He called m
Judge Benson over the long distance
telephone and rendered him the once
of United States senator.
Judge Benson asked until Nro,,7.,,.
to consider the matter and promised
to come to Topeka and see the gov
ernor today.
Judge Benson and his friends arrived
in town at 1915 this morning ana [.,sS3+ ~
at once to the office Of Governor Hoch.
The gov 'rnor had not returned at the
time from the funeral Of 7. E. Dewey