The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-25
Clashes With Mr.. Long Over
DickersOn appointment.
Senator Refuses to Endorse
Governors BrOther-in-LaW.
MAY GET INTO RACE.
HOch to Become Candidate for
United States Senator.
Would Count on Special Ses-
sion to Help Him Out.

oendIOr CneSter L. Long and Gov
ernor E. w. Hoch are playing an in
teresting game of politics now which
may result in two things; first, a spe-
cial session of the legislature; second,
the avowed candidacy of Governor
Hoch for Longs seat in the United
States senate.
The candidacy of J. T. Dickerson
for appointment to the position of
United States judge in Oklahoma is
the board upon which the game be-
tween HOch and Long is being PLAYED.
Judge Dickerson Is Governor Hoch's
brother-in-law. Governor Hoch is
naturally very much interested in
Dickerson's candidacy. Dickerson has
the support of Senator Curtis. and
was officially endorsed by the congress
Sional delegation at its meeting in To-
peka last Monday by a vote of to 2.
But Senator Long won't come into the
fold. He has refused to commit him
self concerning DickerSon's candidacy.
Senator Long believes that he is in
position to block Dfckerson's ap-
pointment- So he says to Governor
Hoch-supposedly- you will agree
not to call a special session of the
legislature, / will come to DockerSon'S
rescue, and insure his appointment"
Governor Hoch seems to have ac-
cepted Senator Longs def, and has
refused to compromise on DickerSon'S
appointment. Instead of making a
session business, Governor Hoch
packed his grip the day of the con-
gressional conference in Topeka, and
started for Washington, to personally
lay his case before the president. And
that's how the matter stands now,
according to the political gossip which
is going around.
Governor Hoch is now free to call
the special session of the legislature,
and ask for the passage of a primary
election law. The special session Will
probably enact a 2-cent fare law, and
1t may trim a few freight rates as
we'll All this will serve to put the
spotlight on Governor Hoch, and he
will loom up as a candidate for the
senatorial nomination under the d1-
rect primary law.
And there is not much doubt that
Governor Hoch 'wauld pe candidate
of formidable strength in senatorial
fight under the primary law. During
his second term, Governor. Hoch has
been doing thinis, and his popularity
wit hthe people of the state has IN
creased since the last election, when he
barely squeezed back into the COVER
nors chair by 1000 majority Hoiiti-
clans who have come in to Topeka
from various parts OF the state nave
been whispering about Hoch's growing
strength, and wondering whether or
not the present governor would not be
tempted to use it to further his political
ambitions. 1t is reasonably certain
that Governor Hoch, after drinking so
deeply of political success, would not
be content to go back to the country
print shop. He will stay on the lecture
platform, and politics will help him
stay Hence it is to his advantage to
keep himself actively in the political
battle, and the senatorial fight under
direct primary law would no doubt ap-
peal to him strongly. Hook, with his
ability as a speaker, would cut consid-
erable ice in the United States senate,
and he has lined up during his present
term for the things that the people
want.
One of the leading members of the
Kansas congressional delegation, while
in Topeka Monday, said:
81 hear people talking about Hoch
a great deal He is gaining friends. |
1t would not surprise me to find this
Hoch sentiment develop into a strong
that he be candidate for |
the senate.
Another man, prominent in the |
of one faction of the Repub- |
lican party said:
"Hoch wants to go to the United
States senate. If he can get a pri-
mary law enacted, he would have a
good show to secure the nomination.
He would not be able to cope with |
Long and Stubbs in political strug- |
gle for the control of the legislature, !
but he would go some if the people |
had a chance to vote"
The fact that Hoch and Long have |
clashed over the Dickerson appoint |
ment indicates strongly that the poll |
ticians are on the right scent when |
they assume that Hoch will in the J
future play his cards to thwart the |
Seventh district statesman.