The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-21
More Gossip About Congressman
Scott i'm Cabinet.
Has Taken Important Part in
Agricultural Legislation.
HELD In HIGH ESTEEM
Regarded at Washington as a
Big Man.
"Uncle Joe'' and Reports About
His Retirement.

Washington. Aug. 21-There Is pro-
badly no man in Kansas who would
grace the cabinet of President Taft
with more honor, dignity and ability
than Charles F. Scott Of lola, who
official Washington now generally con-
cedes win head the department of ag-
riculture about the first of the year.
Furthermore, he is considered to be
the most available man in the country
for the place.
Mr.. Scott is peculiarly well fitted for
this exalted position. He is a success
full business man. a diplomat and
good politician Moreover, he Is es-
peciaIly well qualified to be secretary
OF agriculture because of his expert
ence as a member of the house COM
mittee on agriculture since entering
congress in 1901 During the past two
years he has been chairman of this
committee, and therefore had personal
charge Of all legislation involving mil
lions of dollars for this department OF
the government.
If he were made secretary of agricul-
ture, Mr.. Scott would merely have to
carry out the laws which he himself
has fathered in congress. Nowadays
any frst-class business man can hold
down cabinet office providing he IS
peculiarly fitted for the work of
particular department The executive
departments are SO well organized that
changes in their executives make but
little difference on this account The
CABINET OTQCer merely administers Tie
laws laid down to him by congress and
his subordinate officials practically run
the machinery of the institution.
In a general way Mr.. Scott has wide
knowledge of agricultural affairs, and,
for this reason, he is considered to be
the most available man now to sue
coed the veteran secretary, Mr.. wilson
of Iowa. Scott. like Wilson, would
not only look after the administrative
work of the department, but would
shoulder an unusual amount OF detail
His capacity for a large amount Of
work has been fully exempIheo in con-
greSs.
Mr.. Scott is really ore of the big
men of the country. He has climbed
rapidly to the fore since the first day
he was elected by the people of the
house of congress. From the time he
made his maiden speech in the house
he has always since held the highest
esteem of Speaker Cannon and his col
leagues. When he gets up to speak or
enter debate Mr.. Scott holds the clos
est attention of his auditors because
they know he is presenting facts and
figures and is well Informed in has sub
ject.
His unusual intelligence, splendid
memory, and force of speech has made
the Kausan one of the best debators in
congress, and he never yet has ex-
perienced the moment when he was
"caught'' in a cross-fre argument that
he did not have the goods on him TO
deliver" This IS one of the particu-
lar qualifications necessary of a chair
man whose committee has charge OF
bills appropriating millions of dollars
annually. Cannon well knew SCOTS
ability IN this respect before he dele
gated to him the responsibilities or one
OF the greatest appropriation commit
tees of congress.
When Mr.. Scott brings his annual
appropriation bill before the house he
lis able to defend every item 1t con-
tains. and the bill is generally adopted
in it's entirety according to his recon-
mendations. For the manner in which
he handles his bills on the floor the
speaker and organization of the house
have taken occasion to give him the
highest OF praise. Such an honor
should warrant the people of Kansas in
keeping Mr.. Scott in congress as long
as he may wish to stay
been somewhat rhetorical. He was
born a farmer boy. educated in the
| common schools and University of
Kansas. and finally became owner and
editor of the lola Weekly Register, now
| a daily For the past eighteen years
Mr.. Scott has been more or less proTnt-
nentIy identified with the political af-
fairs of the Sunfiower state His first
office was regent of the University OF
Kansas being appointed in 1891 for q
term of four years. and then twice re-
| appointed At different tirnos Mr.. Scott
was president of the Kansas Editorial
association.
| In 1892 he was elected as Repu5-
Ucan to the state senate Snd served
four years 1t was while In the Kan
| sas legislature that Mr.. Sc TIT first at
| tracted particular attention. Later ne
| became president of the Kansas League