The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-19
AT THE CAPITAL.
Congressman Scott lis Brushing
Up ON Agriculture.
Making Himself Familiar With
Workings of Bureau.
GOOD CHANCE FOR JOB
John @. Thompson Will Prob
ably Land New Place.
s. s. Ashbaugh Is His Probable
Successor. Il
GOOD CHANCE FOR JOB

tive Charles T. Scott has been spending
solid week in the department OF
agriculture with Representative Lamb
of Virginia, studying the department
thoroughly from one end to the other.
familiariZing himself with all the bu-
reaus and divisions, what they do, etc.;
their needs, and, in fact, all possible in
formation that will be of service to him
as the probable chairman of the house
committee on agriculture in the forth
coming congress.
As told in these columns heretofore,
Mr.. Scott will undoubtedly be chairman
of the committee. There are two mem
bers who outrank him, but from pecu-
liar fitness, knowledge and RELATIONSHIP D
Scott is the man best ada pied to the
craftsmanship, and is generally conced-
ed that honor by Republican members.
Mr.. Lamb, who is making the study
OF the department with Mr.. Scott, is
the ranking Democratic member of the
committee
Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Lamb began with
the secretary's office, and then took up
the various bureaus, soils, plant indus
try, animal industry, weather bureau,
grain Standardization, cereals. etc. In
fact, there is not a thing in the depart
1nent that they will not be familiar with
when congress meets and when it
comes time to take up the annual agri-
cultural appropriation bill.
While Mr.. Scott will have an easy
time of 1t, unless some untoward cir
cumstance shall arise, Representative
Campbell and Calderh cad will have a
warm contest. it is thought, for men,
bership on ways and means. When the
house delegation met recently at To-
peka, no action was taken touching the
ambitions of these two representatives,
save that the expression of all was.
success to the man who can make it,
That is, Mr.. Campbell and Mr.. Calder
head were to try, and the delegation
was to stand firm for a place on the
great committee. With the several
has
been on the committee for eight years.
it is thought there may be a good
chance for the state landing. How
ever, it will be a contest between the
Third and Fifth district members for
each is making it the ambition of his
life. Mr.. Calderhead is the dean of
the delegation, and thereby entitled to
consideration; while Mr.. Campbell is
young. an orator and good man on the
floor, and has paid close attention to
tariff matters.
ground to meet "Uncle joe Cannon
the day and hour of arrival; while Mr.
Ca1derhead may not be here much be-
fore converting.
picking up another good position in
Washington-ths possible promotion of
John Q. Thompson of Pratt to be as
sistant attorney general.
Mr.. Thompson's chances are being
looked after and his name pressed daily
by Senator Long. and Representatives
Scott and Campbell, who have been the
sole represen tatives of the Kansas del
egation in town for the past two weeks.
The qualifications of the Pratt man
have been presented fully to the presi-
dent and the attorney general and both
now have the matter under considera-
ton. The attorney general will really !
make the selection, because it is to be
his assistant; though the president is
DESTROYS of obliging the Kansans if pos
sible.
Mr. TbopoDson en+arad tho 5anor+
ment of justice in July, 1901, as a spec |
ia1 assistant attorney. He Immediately |
went to work on claims matters, de- |
Tending the government in cases |
brought against it to recover money. |
He has since remained in that position. |
The assistant attorney general in |
charge of claims, and under whom Mr. |
Thompson has been, was Josiah A Van |
Orsdol of Wyoming. Mr. Thompson was !
his right-hand man, and he left the |
Kansan in charge when absent from |
the city.
On the death of Judge McComas. for
mer senator from Maryland, Mr. Van |
Orsdal was made judge of the supreme |
court for the District of Columbia. |
Thus a vacancy was created which it is
hoped Thompson may get.
Thompson is a well known attorney |
in Kansas, where he practiced law at |
Pratt for years. He was appointed on |
the recommendation of Senator Burton,
being one of the first appointeeS Bur-
ton secured when he entered the senate
Under Thompson at present, working
as an assistant attorney in claims mat
tiers, is S. S. Ashbaugh of Wichita, for
merly attorney for the state board of
railroad commissioners. In event of
Thompson's promotion to be assistant
attorney general. Ashbaugh may secure
Thompson's place as special assistant
attorney, when he will have $500
position instead of Sc, 900 as now
Big Steamers Pay.
London, Nov. 19.-The Liverpool