The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-03
practice.

It is known that Mr. Williams has
been. seriously considering retiring
from the governors Office staff for
some weeks, but the fact has been
carefully suppressed except to a few of
Mr.. Williams friends. Even the other
employees in the governors Office have
not been informed of the pending
change.
Both Governor Hoeh and Mr.. viii
liams are out Of the city today, and no
direct confirmation of the story could
be secured.
D. A Valentine. who lives in the
same town with Mr.. Williams was
asked today what he knew of the re-
port.
4 can't say a thing about that sub
ject." was his reply.
You have heard of it then ?"
Il have nothing to say
John Smith, Governor HOch' s execu-
tive clerk, who is the only one of the
governors Office force in the city today,
said:
II had not heard a thing to indicate
that Mr. Williams was expecting to
resign
The story comes, nevertheless, on
good authority, and while it is not
likely that Mr.. Williams expects to re-
sign imme diatelv. it can be stated that
he has about decided to take this step
within a comparatively short time. He
friends, it is understood, that he has
fully made up his mind to resign.
Had this action come little earlier,
it would doubtless have been claimed
that Mr.. Williams was getting ready to
enter the race for congress in the
Fifth district. But While Mr.. Williams
has been urged recently to enter this
race, it is known that he has fully
made up his mind to stay out. A dele
cation of Fifth district people called
upon him only a few days ago and Of
fered to lend him their aid in making
campaign, but Williams told them that
he didn't want to go to congress; that
his ambitions do not lie in that direc-
ton.
1t is possible, of course, that Mr.
Williams Is figuring on coming out as
a candidate for attorney general. He
has been frequently mentioned as
possible successor to his law partner,
c. G. Coleman. but has thus far not
given the talk any encouragement.
The chances are that Mr.. Williams
is planning to retire from the Office
of governors private secretary merely
because he feels that his private bust
ness demands his presence in Clay
Center. Mr.. Williams usually spends
several days out of each week in Clay
Center looking after his law business,
but this is not enough to keep things
running as they did when both Cole
man and Williams were on the ground,
together with their stenographer, Miss
ROIHS6Ss anu preston coleman. ali of
whom are now holding state jobs.
There is not much left of the Coleman
firm at Clay Center.
Meantime, to still further compli-
cate the situation and make it impor-
tant that Mr.. Williams should be in
Clay Center, some of his corporation
clients have become engaged in a fierce
franchise fight with the city. The cleo
trio light concern, of which Mr.. Will
liams IS attorney has been irving to
rrnF F70Iafcn mr. no
have been fighting the project. Mr.
Williams has been forced to come to
the defense of the franchise. and this
has thrown him in conflict with public
sentiment. The result is that he has
! been losing his grip somewhat it is
claimed, and the situation has at last
come to the place where either Mr.
] Coleman or Mr.. Williams was needed
at home. Tt is easier for Williams to
+ quit than for Coleman. and hence the
resignation. This IS the explanation of
the move which IS given by some Of
those who are familiar with the situa-
ton.
4 Mr. Williams has been private secre-
/ tary only about six months. but in that
+ time he has demonstrated his ability to
handle the work Of that Office satisfac-
! toriIy. Governor Hoch wanted law
f Yer IN the position, and Williams ulled
/ that requirement. He has a faculty for
turning off work rapidly. and the cor
+ respondence of the Office has been
/ promptly attended to- one of VIII
I inns friends said today;
Mr. Williams has done a great deal
4 for Governor Hoch. He has steadied
things down and made them run
smoother than before; he has been the
directing force in many Of the import
ant matters which have come before the
/ governor Few people know what an
important influence he has had since
| taking his position.
II Williams resigns, It VIII be the
+ third private secretary which has left
the governor The first man to hold
the place was T. A. MeNeaL Then
/ John Smith was in charge for a time,