The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-05
MIR. CoBuRN,s APPOINTMENT.

Governor Hoch has certainly done
himself and the state OF Kansas an
honor in rendering to Mr.. F. D. Co
burn the United States senatorship to
fill the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton of Senator Burton. Yet the action
of the governor was so unexpected that
it came as a complete surprise to poll
ticians and public alike, and to no one
more than to Mr.. Coburn.
The change from Burton to Coburn is
so great that it is difficult to compre-
bend it. Kansas has no more cOnscien-
tiOus, high-minded citizen than Foster
Dwight Coburn. And in his chosen
line of work he is without a peer. But
there is absolutely nothing OF the poll
tician about him. He has an exalted
idea Of the duties of craftsmanship,
but the wire-pulling and log-roIling,
the booming and back-fring Of politics
are exceedingly distasteful to him.
Mr.. Coburn is representative Of Kan
sas in a high degree. Kansas is dis
tinctly an agricultural state and Co
burn Is an authority on agriculture. He
is Union veteran and a Republican,
but as TO what his views may be con-
corning government policies few people.
if any, know, except that he stands for
RCAHOAAclA diAQ OLllC4dl integrity anu A4C
believes in a government employee or
official rendering the same amount of
service for his salary that he would If
he were working for a private individ-
uaL Mr.. Coburn is a strong proh1bi-
zionist. On the railroad question he
probably occupies as near middle
ground as any man in Kansas. although
he has never said much on that sub
ject, but the makeup of the man is
such as to compel him to be fair to
both railroads and people.
From a political standpoint Cover
nor Hoch has undoubtedly made wise
move in rendering the senatorial ap-
pointment to Mr.. Coburn. There was
danger that he would make a great
mistake in the matter. Had he made
an appointment unpopular with the
people he would have added to the
Republican disaffection in the state
and the Republican party cannot stand
much more disaffection and be sue
cessful at the polls in November. But
the appointment of Mr.. Coburn will
undoubtedly strengthen Governor
Hoch with the people-and the people
do the voting.
At the same time there is a fly in
the ointment of Mr.. Coburn's appoint
ment. Should Mr.. Coburn accept the
senatorship and be elected to the six
year term next January the state of
Kansas3and the agricultural world in
general-would suffer an irretrievable
loss because of his retirement from his
present position as secretary of the
Kansas state board of agriculture. Mr..
Coburn has been denominated Kansas
most useful citizen. He is that. many
times multiplied. Coburn's work for
Kansas agriculture has made millions
of dollars for the state. where other
men have been worth only thousands
If Mr. Coburn should represent
Kansas in the United States senate for
a term of years the state would indeed
be fortunate: but if he should refuse
to leave his present work for more
than a few months the state would be
doubly fortunate.
This seemingly illogical statement is
true. In the first instance, the people
of Kansas would have in the greatest
lawmaking body in the world a high
minded, conscientious representative,
such a senator as the late George F.
Hoar of Massachusetts,. one who would
command the respect of everyone, both
for his integrity and ability. The sec
ond part of the statement is true, be-
cause Kansas has other men who could
fill the position of United States sena-
tor with credit to the state. but it has
no others who could do Mr. Coburn's
present work.
Anyway It IS a good appointment.
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