The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-03
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Governor Hoch Talks About
the Coburns Boom.
Agitation Ought to Be Popular
With People.
BRANDON IS AFRAID.
Thinks Politicians Would "Pull
Wool Over COburn's Eyes"
Would Rather Have Davidson
for the Place.

Tor the Place.
Governor E. w. Hoch, while he
does not consider 1t good policy to be
come involved in the fight for the
honor of the Republican nomination
to succeed him in office, nevertheless
has decidedly cordial feeling for the
candidacy of T. D. Coburn.
II do not think it would be wise for
me to take part in the discussion, or
declare myself in favor of any one
candidate" said Governor Hoch to-
day, but 1 will say this in a general
way about F. D. Coburn: He is a man
whom I greatly honor and esteem:
and I know of no one whom 1t wonfd
! be more fitting to honor with the tie
publican nomination. He would, as
state great good, and 1 believe that
tthe agitation in favor of his nomtna-
ton ought to be very popular one
| with the people of Kansas.
/ 1t is out of the ordinary to find
man who is out and out opposed TO
Coburn, though many of the profess.
sional politicians stand aghast Wneh
| his name is mentioned. Usually those
who don't want COburn at all VIII
say:
! "why. yes, Coburn is. all right-but
then. he wouldn't take it.. You could
MT force it upon him. It's simply our
of the question:
S. H brandon of Butler thinks that
Coburn isn't very well qualified Tor
don was in Topeka yesterday. He
said: "Coburn is a splendid man In his
present place, but as governor he
would let the politicians pull the wool
over his eyes. He don't know enough
about politics to defend himself from
the schemers. If Davidson becomes n
candidate for the nomination, am
for Davidson, though personally.
Z =
The idea that Mr.. Coburn isn't able
to take care of himself in fight Is
rather amusing in view of the Wilson
Coburn controversy which has recent
ly been in eruption.
Whichever anybody is talked of as a
candidate for anything, that person is
very likely to be- Interviewed by the
Hon. Nick Chiles. editor of the IT,
peka Plaindealer. the leading Afro
American organ of the state.
And SO Mr.. Chiles called upon Mr..
Coburn yesterday
rubbing his hands together and bulb
bling with real or imaginary enthus-
iasm. I'm goin' to have piece about
you in the next issue of the Plaindeal-
err. Yessah that's right. What l
want to know is whether you are goin'
to stan for it,
stand for it?" Queried Mr.. Coburn.
"Yessah. whether you'll be a can
well, how can tell till I see what
the Plaindealer says about it?" replied
Coburn.
"Oh I'm goin' to write good piece;
I'm going to say you'se a mighty fine
man for the place, and then I'll say
something about the other candidates
too" t-s.t-...
"Oh. why should you mention any
body else?'' said Mr.. Coburn. throw
ing the dark. blue tone of regret into
his voice. why not just ignore every
body else. andscome right out and take
a bold stand for me 2"
"Well. YOU see," explained Nick,
I'm not real sure you will stand for
it. You see you might get me tied up
to YOU, and then say, Why. I Amt no
candidate. and then. where would l
be? NV readers would come aroJnd-to
me and say, .Ahss ha-5now where's
your, man CoburnT en-, that would
TWelr now tell you what. Nick.
YOU should rot hesitate at thing like
that. Now listen You live out there
near the governors mansion. don't
sIYessah, bout a block from there
well, now 1T would be to your in
terest to have somebody there in the
governors mansion from whom you
could borrow things, wouldn't it7"
"Yessah, that's. right-you are suit
tainly right about that"
You understand, don't mean hoes,
and shoveIs, and things like that. but
aYessah, I understand-now and then
a chicken or two, -...,. 80
That's right, you're getting the idea
chickens Now you know I am an
agrfculturfst Being an agricultur-
list, 1 would naturally keep more chick
ems at the executive mansion than any
body else. Now you begin to see, don't
you, why you would naturally want to
get right in and support me in the
Plaindealer?"
Il b'lieve you are right. God bless
my soul, 1 do"
And thereupon Mr.. Chiles. emitting a
stream of gurgling laughter and con-
tagious chuckles, left the agricultural
department to prepare his editorial
comments for the Plaindealer on the
gubernatorial situation.
The Ottawa Daily Republic, edited
thinks Coburn would be all right, but
doubts his willingness to be candidate.
1t says: IF. D.sCoburn q beng doomed
for governor but It IL not likely that he
could be induced to accept the nominal
ton if it were offered him without
contest. Coburn enjoys his work as sec
rotary of the state board of agriculture
and has developed special capability for
service in that capacity That he would
exchange his present congenial and USE
full OCCUPATION for the uncertainties, the
turmoil and the almost inevitable dis
enDontments OF the governors Office,
will not be readily believed by those who
know the man. Coburn lis Intensely
practical; the glitter. of the executive
position would T OF warp his judgment.
and he would prefer to render real and
valuable service to the people of Kan
sas in his present modest capacity, rath-
er thar contest n 'he political arena for
the more prominent and lucrative posi-
ton Coburn has no desire to be COVER
nor. HIS head S too top level for that OF
49, 80 nMmwk Al