The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-23

While there IS some interest among
the people in the legislation that is to
be enacted by the coming legislature.
the big interest centers around the
senatorial election. The anti-pass
question and the direct primary are all
right in their way. but what the poll
ticians-and a good many people-are
watching most closely is the senator
ship.
There is a vast amount of specula-
ton and guessing as to the outcome Of
the senatorial contest. Many men
have many theories-but few know
very much about it
AS a matter of fact, it is anybody's
race. It is now a much disputed
question whether Senator Long will
stand by Congressman Curtis. or
whether he will dtscreetly leave the
First district Congressman to paddle
his own canoe There Is much bitter
opposition to Mr.. Curtis. and Senator
Long may conclude that 1t would be
Just as well for him not to be a party
to forcing Curtis election
II Senator Long does not aid Curtis,
the chances are that he would help
senator. Benson. If he helps anyone.
Senator Benson is a good man and
would not be especially unpopular
with any special faction. More than
that. he would probably allow Senator
Long to be the whole thing politically.
He is not very aggressive and would
likely follow the senior senator's, lead
in most legislative matters. as well as
in questions of federal patronage.
But Congressman Curtis must be
reckoned with. whether he has Sen
ator Longs support or not. He doubt
less has a big lead in the state senate
and it is not improbable that he will
have the most votes of any candidate
to start with. He is an accomplished
politician and overlooxs no opportun-
ity to pick up a vote or two. He will
very likely secure another senator in
the special election in the Cloud-Re-
public district. unless a Democrat
should happen to be elected
The politicians do not figure that w
r. Stubs or Joseph L. Bristow have
much show. In fact, Mr.. Stubs is not
an avowed candidate. 1t is not at all
unlikely that he will wait until a direct
primary law is adopted and then ask
the people for Chester I. Longs job in
1909. Mr.. Bristow has incurred the
ennity of some powerful influences,
and the politicians therefore count
him out. His railroad speeches natur-
ally make him distasteful to the rail-
roads. and the fact that LaFollette
spoke a good word for Bristow in Kan
sas doesn't raise him in the estimation
Of Senator Long. Then, too, Bristow
is aggressive and has opinions Of his
own, which is another reason why he
is disliked in certain quarters. His
strength lies with the people, and the
politicians figure that the people won't
do the voting when United States
senator is elected in January.
Victor Murdoch. J. L. Getty. and P
P. Campbell are regarded as dark
horses - compromise candidates -
possibilities but not probabilities
Another possibility that IS looming
up strong on the senatorial horizon is
a farmer up at Baileyville. There is a
feeling over the state that Willis J.
Bailey did not get a square deal two
years ago. He Is not likely to be an
avowed candidate for the senate, but
in case of a deadlock-and a deadlock
is not at all popular
sentiment would be more likely 10
turn to Governor Bailey than to any
other dark horse"
There's the senatorial situation II
any man can foresee the outcome to a
certainty he must be gifted with
prophetic powers.