The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-13
ALOOK BACKWARD
Glimpse OF the Men Who ShOne
in the Legislature.
Veterans Who Have Made Mark
in Kansas Politics.
SOME NEW FACES.
Keene, of Bourbon, One of the
Most Promising.
Davis, of KiOwa, Sustained Repu-
tatiOn as Readiest Debater.

The legislature is generally regard
ed as a training school for the future
greats, so it is perfectly natural for
those interested to figure out the win
ners at the close of every session. 1t
is merely a matter of opinion, like
picking an all-American football team
but it would be unfair to the business
and professional men who leave their
own affairs for a couple of months to
work for the state for SO per day not
TO mention their work at all.
At the 1909 session many good men
were developed and a doZer or more
of them ran for state and district Of
fee at the next election. Buchanan,
Mitchell Cunningham. Morrison, Fo-
ley, Stone. Mercer, Davis of Kiowa
Allen, Matson, FEEDER, Dick Hopkins,
Brewster, Cambern, Porter and others
won state regulations two years ago.
This year some of the old members
of the house came back, Buckman as
speaker and Hopkins as president of
the senate. It is conceded generally
that the last legislature worked as
hard and enacted as much progressive
and beneficial legislation as any in the
past ten years. Many of the mem
bers who took little part in debate did
important work on committees, so 1t IS
often unfair and uncertain business
picking the winners and the men who
made the wheels go round. 1t take
a good man to get above the ruck in
the strenuous house. where so many
members are independent and trucu-
lent when important m easures are I'M
der consideration.
The newspaper men who watched
the sessions of the house daily and
nightly from a point of vantage were
pretty we'll agreed that Davis of KioWa
was the ablest debater and hardest
fighter of the lot. Davis did not all
ways win, because he often took the
unpopular side of questions. But he
commanded the respect and attention
of both parties and factions in debate.
He has a good delivery and is well in
formed on all questions AS a presid-
ing officer in committee of the whole
he was in class by himself. Buck
man called him to the breach many
times when he wanted the house to
get ahead with it's work on measures
where the fighting waged al along the
line. Davis opposed the adminiStra
ton on the initiative and referendum
and recall, but he helped save the day
when the inheritance tax was under
fire in the house and he helped draft
the utilities bill and fought for it clear
to the finish He was Independent of
factions, taking either side as he saw
the light, but loyal always to the
southwest and her interests. The lit
tie county of F<iowa was g big spot on
the last legislative map and if Madi-
on the congressional map.
Matson of Sedgwick had heavy
committee assignments and was hand
icapped in his floor work, but he was
one of the strong and reliable men of
the session. Mercer of Chase, and
Moore of Harper, and FEEDER of Bar
ton, and Napier of Harvey, and Allen
of Wyandotte, played an important
part in committee work, the first
named being the chairman of the
i
means. Allen is a brilliant debater.
Among the new members Keene of
Bourbon looms UP as a conner in state
affairs. He had lots of influence dur
ing the closing days of the session
Kelley of Shawnee was also one of the
phenoms of the house session. He is
a good speaker. Don Carlos, was an
other new one who won a place. and
jackson of Comanche, and two Mont
Eomery representatives., Wettack and
Kerr. Orr of Atchison, minority lead
er, fulfilled the predictions made when
he was elected. He is in line for state
honors at the hands of his party.
Carney of Cloud is another Democrat
who won a home. Carney is a Win
ner in debate and has a valuable as
set in his personality. Brown of
T<ingman. as the floor leader for the
Democrats sustained his reputation
won in many hard fought battles.
Davis of Bourbon. dean of the
house, is a solid man, and so is West
erman of Ellsworth and Reeder Of
Doniphan. DR.. Goddard of Leaven-
worth is a fighter and he made a great
speech the day the tuberculosis san
atorium bill was up for discussion.
Stone of Shawnee maintained his repu-
tation won in previous sessions as an
able and ready debater. Fair of Rice
and Case of Dickinson. and Miller OF
Ford, were three young men who held
their own during the session. The
veteran, Veatch of Washington, is a
man of force of character, and Gray
of Phillips is another. and Gray OF
Jackson.
Judge Buchanan of CowIey, made
good as speaker. He ruled the house
r. by gentleness and courtesy as we'll as
another could with a club and an ak
He had the confidence and respect OF
all men during the session and made
q fine record.
Buchanan and FEEDER and Orr ano
Carney and Keene are all talked OF
now for state office two years hence
and Davis of Kiowa. for congress
They do say that Keene, who is a For
Scott lawyer, may be groomed fol
governor
Dick Hopkins. lieutenant governor