The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-01

A+AEAE IS a very peculiar SITUATION III
the Fifth congressional district this
year. The Fifth has a congressman /
who has comparatively few positive /
friends and whom most of his consti- |
tuents would be glad to see retired, yet /
he viii probably be renominated with /
ont opposition.
Mr.. Catderhead is different from
most men in Kansas politics. A man
Of unchallenged personal integrity, he
almost invariably lines up on the side
Of wealth and the big corporate inter
ests and against the ideas Of the gceat
majority of his constituents. AS re-
Gently as four years ago Mr.. Calder /
head made a speech in defense Of
trusts. A year or so ago he pointed
out the benehcence Of the Standard
Oil company, inasmuch as kerosene is /
now much cheaper than it was when
the Standard was organized. Only last
summer he was quoted as saying in
effect that railroads are as much pri-
vate property as farms and therefore
ought not to be controlled by the gov
eminent. He is generally understood
to be against rate regulation, and only
this week he voted against the resOlu-
ton asking President Roosevelt to in
vestigate the southeastern railroad
combine Without wealth himself,
Mr.. Calderhead appears to be one of
the most abject worshippers of wealth
and staunch defenders of corporate
interests.
The Fifth district is like one of
those conservative old eastern dis
tricts. where the voters think little for
themselves apparently, but re-elect a
congressman year after year, allow
resent them as he pleases, trusting inn
plicitly in his judgment. Twelve years
ago the Fifth district sent Mr.. Calder
head to congress, and since then he
has been renominated without opposi-
ton as regularly as the congressional
convention has come around-just as
he probably will be this year. Once
he was defeated, but FIVE times he has
been elected.
No other Kansas congressman has
served in the house so long save Mr..
Curtis, yet there is no act of legisla-
ton that the Fifth district can proudly
point to as a monument to it's repre-
sentative; but notwithstanding this
and Mr.. Calderhead's variance with
the ideas of his people, he has been re
nominated over and over again with
out opposition.
There have been some rumors that
Mr.. Calderhead would have trouble
this year, but in his way the Fifth dis
trict congressman is something of
politician; and now with the primaries
only few weeks off, he has the OPP
position pretty well dispersed. For in
stance. things looked serious for him
in Saline county for a time, but the
story now comes that he promised the
salsna postoffice to James A. Kimbal
the member of the state committee
from Saline and Ottawa counties, and
as a result those counties viii be for
Mr.. CaIderhead. Postmasters who are
naturally grateful for past favors are
industriously helping to iron out Mr.
Calderhead's troubles and soothe OPP
position.
Mr.. Charles \. Peck, of Concordia-
who would probably now be the most
prominent candidate against Mr.. Cald-
erhead, and who. by the way, would
make a creditable representative Of
the Fifth district in Washington. is ap-
DarentIy not sure that he wishes to go
to congress this year. Mr.. Peck has
another two years OF his present term
/ to serve in the state senate, and very
likely he is DESTROYS of rounding out
I his term in that body and acquire ad-
ditional legislative experience there
before asking to be sent to Washing
The eyes of the opposition to Mr..
/ CaIderhead are turned towards Sena-
tor Peck however, and it is possible
/ that he will yet be persuaded to be-
/ come a congressional candidate this
wear. but if he does not Mr.. Calder
head win be renominated without op-
nosition as usual. and unless there is
am uprising at the polls he will be sent
hack to Washington for another two
years. to vote. at critical time, doubt
/ lesss according to his conscientious
beliefs. in the interests of the trusts
and moneyed magnates,