The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-19
Executive Council Takes Action
on Judge Humphreys Death.
State Officers to Attend Funeral
at Junction City.
TALK OF SUCCESSOR.
Politicians Already Figuring on
Who Will Get Job.
Suitable Democratic Material
Said to Be Scarce.

AT a special meeting of the execu-
tive council of the state held Wednes-
day afternoon, it was decided that the
state house shall be closed on Friday
from the time the body of Judge
humphrey leaves Topeka until after
IT'S arrival at Junction City.
Inc council also appointed Z. T.
falrchlld, state superintendent of
pubic instruction, and a resident of
ellsworth, 10 represent the council at
the funeral. There will be no services
in Topeka.
Samuel T. Howe and s. c. Crum-
lner' members OF the tax commission,
and John Smith, secretary, will also
attend the funeral at Junction City.
Governor Hoch Will be unable to
attend because he has arranged to go
to Lansing on Friday to hear the pre-
sentation of a large number of pardon
applications
The executive council ordered that
the state house flag be put at half
mast and kept there until after the
burial of Judge Humphrey.
Neither Governor Hoch nor any of
the members of the tax commission
Will discuss possibilities concerning
Judge Humphreys successor, but the
politicians, always greedy for jobs, are
already figuring on possibilities.
1t Is considered practically certain
that Governor Hoch will appoint some
lawyer to the position, but some doubt
is expressed in regard to the place
again being given to a Democrat. Gov
ernor Hoch mas shown by his appoint
ment of Judge Humphrey that he was
willing to overlook party lines. but it
is doubtful whether in the Democratic
party he could find another man so
well suited to his tastes as Judge
Humphrey. 1t has been suggested
that the place might be offered to W.
A. Harris. the late adversary of the
governor for the office which he now
holds. Col. Harris has stated that he
would not again be a candidate for
governor, and SO the place might be
offered to him without making it ap-
pear that the Republicans were trying
to get him out of the way. But it is
considered very doubtful whether Col.
Harris would accept such an appoint
ment. He has a better job already, it
is thought.
Judge D. M. Dale of Wichita, for
mer candidate for governor on the
Democratic ticket, has been mention
ed but Dale is a rabid anti-prohibi-
zionist, and wouldn't do.
John Atwood of Leavenworth is a
prominent and able Democrat, but he
is too much allied with corporations
he is making so much money out of
law that he couldn't afford to take it.
The same remarks would apply to Ba-
lie P. Waggener of Atchison.
Senator Geo. H Hodges of Olathe
is a leading Democrat, and fills the
bill all right, except that he is not a
lawyer. He lined up for the governor
last winter in the fight with the state
senate.
The available material among the
Democrats is therefore very scarce,
and the chances are that some Repub-
| lican lawyer will be selected for the
place. One leading politician of the
state today guessed that Ferd Funk,
of Marion, Governors Hoch's pardon
clerk, would be the man, but he was
proba bly, joking.
Governor Hoch has made quite a
record for picking out the right men
for important places, and it is hoped
that he will do as well in filling the
| present vacancy as he had done in fill
| ing past vacancies.