The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-21

ganizations made him a potent power
politically. It was about that period in
Mr.. SCOTS career that he had q strong
desire to become governor of Kansas,
but many of hfSrE friends who were
willing to aid in such a candidacy
thought him rather too young for the
office, and suggested he wait a few
years. Scott had lots CT ambition. how
ever. and, while he did nor particularly
hang his political fac on the governor
ship. he wanted It as a steDpinz stone
to get in congress
In 1896 he represented his congress
sionaI district on the Republican cleo
toraf ticket He cast a vote for Kan
sas in the first Mckinley election This
gave him a material boost in the po-
IiticaI Iimelight. and he at oCce com
menced to outline a campaign to come
to WASHINGTON as congressman-at-
large 1t was in this office that lie
succeeded Willis ]. Bailey in the TALL of
1901. the latter having served but one
term in congress
Mr. Scott was reelected by compIf-
mentary majorities. as congressman-at-
large to the Fifty-eighth and Fifty
ninth congresses. When the state was
redistrfcted he was sent to the Sixtieth
congress as the representative of the
Second district, and last fall he was
reelected for another term-the pres
ent congress
In all, his service in congress covers
a period of nearly nine years.
Your Uncle Joseph Cannon denies the
report that he contemplates retiring
from congress Why should he retire?
Surely not On account of age. What
man carries seventy-three years more
easily? Tired OF the racket? He has
had nearly a generation of it, and men
of his temperament and equipment
thrive on 1t. He has Just passed
through a siege of charges and denun-
citation without suffering the slightest
injury. He survived the raid on his so
called czardom and he held the house
to the support of the tariff bill Uncle
Joe seemed to enjoy the excitement Of
the contest The popping of small
arms and the roar of the artillery made
music for his veteran ears.
Where would pleasure await Mr..
Cannon out of politics? He would not
have to work for his living. His pri-
vate means are ample for his comfort.
He likes his home and his neighbcrs.
But Danville is comparatively d small
place, and would be slow for even its
most distinguished and much respect
ed citizen as an all-the-year-round
residence after t1irty-odd years Of po-
utfcal life in Washington helping to
make laws as member of congress.
Keeping one eye on a band and the
other on a farm would be small and
unsatisfactory employment for a man
who for so long had kept both eyes
on the state of the Union.
1t is better, whenever possible, to
die in harness; and that is what your
Uncle Joe desires to do. In fact, he
said in the presence of the writer, at
a banquet given in his honor by a
member of the house, that he hoped
to die in congress and be buried at
government expense"
Especially is it true of politicians
that they would prefer dying in har-
ness. There is something which when
that game has been long pursued un-
fits man for anything else. If fortune
forsakes him late in life his remaining
days seldom are happy If he turns
his back on fortune he soon discovers
very successful in politics, and has
vigor left-lots of it. He considers
himself a young man yet. Why should
he retire? When, since he first took
a hand, has the game ever been more
interesting than now?
B. o. L Wells of Coffeyville. Kan.
is visiting his parents. DR.. and Mrs
Charles A Wells of Hiattsvi1le. Nd. g
suburb of this city Dr. Wells ha:
for the state senate Some few years
ago his son. Robert W. Wells, who was
educated in Kansas, served in the
Maryland legislature as a house mem
Der. He is now prominent crimina
lawyer of Washington. with residence
in Maryland.
Rural mail ruote No. has been es-
tablished out of Hoxie. Sheridan coun-
ty, Kan Route No. 2 has also beer
county.
Sidney L. Nokes has been appointed
postmaster at Glade. Phillips county
kan, to succeed J. W. Breed, resigned
Mrs Lydia ]. Smith of this city has
gone to Fort Leavenworth to visit her
daughter, Mrs. Glenn H. Davis