The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-17
POLITICAL GOSSIP
w. b. Ham Will Be Candidate
For Congress.
He Has Made Informal An
nOuncement of the Fact.
WANTS A PRIMARY.
Would Like to Have Direct Vote
on Nomination.
Believed j. r.. BurrOw Will Move
to Topeka.

w. B. Ham. of Rocks county, pass
ed through Topeka a few days ago
on his way to the jamestown exrosi-
ton. In conversation with some of
his friends, Mr.. Ham authorized the
definite announcement that he will be
candidate for congress in the Sixth
| district, and will begin an active fight
for the. nomination soon after his re-
turn from jamestown.
Mr.. Ham declares that he would be
| entirely satisfied with the primary
election plan proposed by Congress-
man w. A. Reeder and believes in the
district primary in all elections in the
state.
There are now two candidates posi-
lively in the Sixth district race-Reed-
er and Ham-and some think that
there will be others before long.
1t is known that 1. D. Young, of
Beloit, Mitchell county, is willing to
get into the fight, but if Young goes
in, A. G. Mead, his most bitter politi-
cal enemy in Mitchell county will also
become a candidate. There is also
some talk of Judge Peters, of Man
kato being a candidate, and John Q.
Royce, of Phillipsburg, is also men
toned, in case the fight becomes a free
for all. Young and Ham will both
draw from the same strength in case
they both go into the fight. and this
would help Reeder. But A. G. Mead
would tend to hurt Reeder's chances
if he should go in. John Royce
would also draw from Reeder's
strength.
There are many who think that
when it comes to a showdown, the
fight will be squarely between Ham
and Reeder, and that all the rest will
stay out. In contest of that kind,
there would be a fight we'll worth the
price of admission
Reeder would have back of him a
well organized "postoffice machine"
All his pOstof1ce appointees would be
out working for him in every town in
the district and a force of that kind
is strong enough to make an opposi-
ton candidate hesitate considerably.
Reeder is also good mixer, and
stands close to the common plug citi-
aspirations to go to congress would
rather see Reeder get the place than
have it go to Ham, for they believe
that Reeder will be an easier man to
is the old element of "Reeder's luck"
which the politicians always mention
when they are talking about the posi-
bility of beating the Sixth district con-
gresham. 9r9
Ham would go into the fight on the
square deal issues. He would stand
for the Roosevelt policies, for the fed
eral charter for railroads. and for
other square deal reforms. That Ham
is a man of exceptional ability there is
no doubt. He has been a member of
the house of Representatives for two
terms, and has lowered head and
shoulders above the average 1egisla-
tor. He is a shrewd lawyer. a con-
and fluent talker, a tireless
worker, and a man whose honesty and
there is no question.
If he should be elected to congress, he |
would undoubtedly take rank as one |
of the foremost members of the Kan |
sas delegation.
fS
in Topeka that j. r. Burrow of Smith |
Center is about to buy the Popenoe |
mansion in Topeka, and will make To- |
peka his home in the near future, |
entirely from Sixth dis
trict politics. The Popenoe mansion |
is magnificent suburban home which |
Mr.. Burrow has occupied for couple |
of years. 1t was occupied one winter |
by W. r. Stubbs and at one time it |
said that Mr.. Stubs had bought the |
house Shortly after that, Mr.. Bur-
row secured an option on the house, /
and negotiations are said to be now
pending which are likely to result at
any time in the announcement of the
purchase of the place by Mr.. Burrow.
The house is said to have cost $4,000
when new, and occupies spacious
grounds on plateau east of the city.
From one source it is learned that Mr..
Burrow has already closed a deal for
the house, and that the news of the
is being suppressed for a
time for political reasons.
Another Sixth district man who is
planning to come to Topeka to live is
Elmer e. Ames of Norton, one of the
deputy bank examiners. Mr.. Ames
said a few days ago:
ct am thinking of moving my fam
ly to Topeka, as this is more central
point for my work. 1 am going to all
parts of the state, and by having my
home in Topeka, would be able to
come back here and be with my fam
ly more than 1 am able to under the
present plan"
The news has leaked out that Rob-
ert Stone of Topeka, who is a staunch
supporter of w. r. Stubs for COVER
lor, has been writing letters to a lot
IF his friends, and associates in the
legislature, suggesting to them the adj
Visa bility of running Stubs as the