The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-16
VOTE FOR HARRIS,
Democrats Select Him a
Nominee for Senator.
Will Probably Support Benson
for Short Term.

Colonel w. A. Harris of Lawrence,
who was the Democratic gubernatorial
candidate at the last election and was
only beaten by Governor Hoch by two
thousand votes, was chosen last night
by the Democratic members of the leg
islature as their caucus nominee for
United States senator for the long term.
No action was taken by the caucus to
nominate a candidate for the short
term which ends on March 4. and which
is the unexpired Burton term. Con-
gressman Charles Curtis is the Repub-
lican caucus nominee for both the short
and long terms. And although nothing
was said openly at the Democratic eau
Gus last night it is understood that
when the senate and house of represen-
tatives meet in joint session on January
% to elect United States senator, that
the Democratic members of the legis-
lature will vote for the present Republi-
can in office, Senator Benson, as a sort
of a rebuke to the overZealous Curtis
ties who deprived him of even serving
out the short term.
Two ballots were necessary before the
choice of the Democratic caucus was
registered for Colonel Harris. The
members of the caucus distributed their
favors with open hands and according
to their convictions. Other prominent
Democrats to receive votes were John
H. Atwood of Leavenworth Thomas
w Morgan of Ottawa. Colonel William
F. Sapp of Galena and Henderson Mar
tin of Marion.
representative H. S. Thompson, who
had already been chosen chairman of
the caucus of the Democrats in the
house called the caucus to order. OF
the t1irty-three Democrats in the legis-
lature twenty-seven of them were pres
ent, including Senators Benson and
Hodges Senator Waggener. the other
Democratic senator was absent. On
motion which was carried the organiz-
alton of the Democratic representative
caucus was made the organization of
the Joint caucus and Mr.. Thompson
presided, while o. L. Lennen acted as
secretary.
Representative Foley then moved
that the caucus proceed to nominate
candidate for United States senator
for the long term. Several amendments
were suggested to the motion and as 1t
passed it provided that there should
be no nominating speeches; that each
member of the caucus should answer
the roll call by announcing his choice
and that majority of the Democratic
representation in the legislature, sew
enteen votes. would be necessary for
choice.
On the first roll call Harris received
16 votes; Sapp 8; Atwood 8; Morgan 3
and Martin 2.
The second roll call resulted in Har-
ris receiving Is votes; Atwood 4, Nor
gan 3 and Martin 2. Harris got of
the votes given to Sapp on the first
roll call and Atwood 1. Chairman
then declared Col. Harris
the caucus nominee for the United
States senatorship for the long term.
A motion was then made that the
question of selecting a candidate for
the short term be deferred until some
other time. There was some discus |
sion on the propriety of this motion,
couple of the members of the caucus
saying that the question should be dis |
posed of at once. While the debate on |
this proposition was going on a motion |
to adjourn was put and carried by an
vote and the Democratic !
senatorial caucus was a thing of the |
past. a caucus much unlike the one |
which nominated Curtis the Republf- |
can candidate, for there was not the |
slightest ripple of excitement of any |
kind.
AS stated. it is understood to be the |
intention of the Democrats when the |
joint ballot is taken in the legislature |
to elect the United States senator that /
they will vote for the present Republi- |
can incum bent Senator A. w. Benson |
Just for the purpose of making the Re
publicans feel bit cheap because they |
'hcgged'' everything possible for Cur
tis and would not give Benson the |
small honor of serving out the unexpir-
ed Burton term for which he was ap-
pointed.