The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-17
BENSON IS HERE.
Frankly Says That He Likes the
Senate.
That Is Why He Would Like to
Go Back.
ON TOUR OF THE STATE
Will Begin at SaIina Chautau-
qua July 81.
Has Many Reunion Dates In
August and September.
N TOUR OF THE STATE

Senator A w. Benson, of Ottawa,
is in Topeka today to see Governor
Hoch and other political leaders about
his senatorial boom.
The new senator is wearing a stylish
gray suit. and Is full of activity and
ginger. Those candidates in the SEN
atorial race who anticipate that he
Will lack energy to make a bruising
tight for election before the next leg
islature will probably have another
guess.
''Yes, I do like the senate" said Mr.
Benson today. Il would not object
to going back there. In my short
association with the members of that
body I am frank to state that I did
not discover any evidence of undue
corporation influence. OF course am
not in a position to speak with knowi-
edge of the characteristics of individ-
uaI senators, but it was my experience
that as a body the senate was more
inclined to take a radical position in
corporation matters than was the
house. When 1 arrived In Washing
ton, the debate on the railroad bill
was practically ended. The only thing
of great Importance still pending in
conference was the anti-pass provi-
sion and the senate stood for much
stronger anti-pass section than did
the house. The senate finally pre-
vailed On the meat inspection bill,
too. the senate was willing to take
more radical action, and held out 10
make the packers pay the cost of in
spectfon.
II put in most OF my time studying
the Panama canal BILL which was a
measure that promised to be very
close. I voted in favor OF the lock
canal. and the lock canal plan won
by margin Of five votes The lock
canal was selected because by that
type Of canal the waters of the
! Chsgres river are utilized. This river
! will be damned and lake from two
/ to seven miles wide and thirty miles
/ long will be formed. The dam will be
of magnitude hitherto unknoWn- II
will be half a mile wide at the base.
The very size of this dam was one OF
/ the reasons urged why the plan was
undesirable.
It heard Senator Bailey make MS
7 celebrated reply to the articles by
David Graham Phillips on the Treason
of the Senate The last article at
tackled Senator Bailey most bitterly
and Bafley's reply was one OF the most
/ brilliant speeches 1 ever heard he Is
I a finished orator. and he claimed III
his speech that Hearst was the man
who inspired the attack upon him he
] therefore leveled his attack at Hearst
ana he certainly did give him ter
| rible lashing.
'sWhat are you doing about your
campaign for the senate was asked
.sWell. things look very encouraging
from my standpoint" replied the SEN
ator Il expect to put in most of my
time this summer making speeches
! throughout the state On July u
am to speak at the Salina Chautauqua,
on July "a at Cofeyville and on July
26 at Beloit These are all Chautauqua
dates. After that I have dates scat
/ tered all through the months of Au-
gust and September at old soldier re-
unions and other meetings The news
paper men have been very good to
me: l don't know why, but they have
| treated me a good deal better than ]
/ deserved. Quite a number Of the east
ern newspaper men wrote very nice
articles about me, and of course 1 ap-
/ preciate their kindness.
s. c. drummer, chairman of the Re
| publican state central committee was
/ one of the men that Senator Benson
/ met at Governor Hoch's Office. Bui
Mr. drummer Is not doing much busl'
| ness In the senatorial line.
Il am looking after the state cam
| paign." said Mr.. drummer. i have
! no doubt that the senatorial candidates
viii look after their own interests
That is usually the experience.
haven't the slightest idea wha
strength Senator Benson will be able
to muster when the time comes fol
election before the legislature.