The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-28
MARTIN GETS IT.
State Chairman Named on the
Utilities Commission.
Eliminates Him From District
Attorney Appointment.

Henderson s. Martin, of Marion
chairman of the Democratic state CEN
trail committee, was today named as
a member of the utilities commission
His appointment was announced BY
Covernor-elect George H. Hodges, who
will send Martins name to the state
senate for confirmation early in the
coming session. The appointment OF
Martin eliminates him from the run
ming as a candidate for United States
district attorney to succeed Harry j.
Bone.
For ten days it has been generally
conceded in political circles that Mar
tin was to land a berth in the naming
of the new utilities commission. His
appointment, however. was not an
nounced until today. The two remain
ing members of the commission. one
Democrat and one Republican, Will be
announced in a few days. Judge A. E.
Helm, of Wichita, is apparently most
formidable candidate for Martins as
sociate as the second Democratic mem
Der of the commission. AS the BIZ
partisan member, A. w. Smith, of To-
peka. is being urged for the place.
Smith was pension agent until the To-
peka agency was abolished by the re-
cent act of congress.
That Thompson-N Martin Friction.
In the early stages of the appoint
ment scramble. Martin was a candl-
date for United States attorney to
succeed Harry ]. Bone. Then it was
recalled that Judge William H. Thomp-
son, United States senator-elect, might
not be an ardent supporter of the DEM
ocratic state chairman. Martin and
Thompson disa greed on several Occa-
sions in the recent campaign. Once it
occurred when the state committee
billed Thompson for speeches in the
sparsely settled districts; and Martin
opened his own headquarters and book
ed himself for speeches in the big
towns. Good feeling was not restored
when Thompson issued his defy to
Governor Stubs to abide by the will
of the people in the senatorial vote.
Martin refused to concur in Thomp-
sons carefully prepared peace pact.
And for a few days a rather cool and
distant feeling existed among the en-
ployees of the state committee and
Judge Thompsons publicity and speak
ing agency. which had offices on the
same floor with Martin and his COM
mittee.
Thus, after a review of these things.
Martin politely withdrew from the race
to succeed Bone in the district attor-
ney's office Martin and Hodges are
the most intimate personal friends.
When Martins chances for reelection
as state chairman hung in the balance
at the August session of the Demo-
cratic party council, Hodges braved
the political elements and forgot the
danger of factionaI trouble to see that
Martin was reelected. And in the cam
paign which followed Martin and Pep
PERIL worked hand in hand for Hodges
and his election. Now Martin is re-
warded with one of the best offices at
the disposal of the governor. A place
on the utilities commission pays $4,000
a year.
Martin has at intervals been men,
toned as a possible candidate for the
United States senatorship two years
hence. His appointment to a place on
the utilities commission, however, will
probably eliminate him from the race
and the Marion lawyer will devote his
time to his new job.