The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-11
is HE IN RACE?
Bale Waggener of AtchisOn
and the e. s. SenatOrship.
He Won't Say for Sure, but Be-
Iieyed He Will Run.

Atchison, Kan, Oct. 11.-An attempt
was made today by State Journal
reporter to get definite statement
from B. P. Waggener. of this city, as
to whether or not he was or would
be a candidate for United States sena-
tor. To the inquiry Mr.. Waggener re-
Piled:
My health was never better than it
is today. In fact, there has been no
time in ten years when 1 have felt so
WELL and enjoyed such splendid good
health
But are you a candidate for senator.
or do you intend to become cand1-
date?' the reporter insisted.
AT present. said Mr.. Waggener'
Il am engaged in building a new barn
on my farm, and making other i'm
provements there. 1 have just COM
pleted two large silos-one of cement
and the other of wood. Both have been
filled. I do not know which 1 prefer.
1t is an experiment with me. 1 want
the farmers in my neighborhood to get
the benefit of my experiments. Silos,
in my judgment are Indispensable to
every farm, but it is a problem which
is the better-cement or wood"
You do not answer my question, sem
ator. 1 know our readers are interest
ed in knowing what you intend to do
Won't you give me some straight dope
on the subject?"
THE office of United States senator
is a great one-the greatest in the gilt
of the people of this state. 1t belongs
solely and exclusively to the people,
and the candidate for it should be Sc
lected by the peoHle, and not by the
BOSSES or self-conStituted leaders.
When a man is elected to that ONCE
he becomes at once the servant ana
employee of the people. He is their
chosen agent, and answerable solely to
l,ie oil OtC
and of right should be, his master. He
represents them, and only them he
has in the discharge of his official du-
ties as United States senator, most
sacred duty to perform. AS far as
possible the people should be left I'M
trammelled in the selection of their
agent, servant and employee. I should
like to see the Democratic candidate for
that office selected with a view to his
fitness and qualifications man OF
ability and integrity-a man who, in
measure at least, can represent the
state in that great legislative body as
did Ingalls, and Plumb and Harris-a
man who, under no conditions, will Vlo-
late or disregard the instructions or
just expectations of the constituency
which clothed him with power, or be-
tray the trust committed to his keep
ing He should be a man in harmony
with the splendid administration OF
President Wilson, who is making an
unprecedented effort to redeem party
pledges, and to do that, and that alone,
which will conserve the best interests
of all the people. I have no doubt but
that the Democratic party will find
such a man for it's candidate, and, with
such a candidate, it can easily win In
November, 1914
But" said the reporter, what are
you going to do in the next campaign!'
What Waggener Stands For.
zone thing you may rely upon,' re-
piled Mr.. Waggener, L am going to DO
all I can to secure the adoption of the
amendment to our state constitution
which 1 got through the senate last
winter, and, after a hard contest in
the house, got through that body
authorizing the levy of state income
tax with which to defray state eXpen-
SEES, and thereby relieve the burden on
Kansas farms as much as possible, and
place it where it belongs
You have not yet informed me
whether you will be a candidate for
senator. That is what I want to know,
Mr. Waggener," persisted the reporter.
Plenty of Time to Decide.
why insist upon my replying to
that question at this time? There is
yet plenty of time. And, again, the
people have not yet, in any overWhelm-
ing numbers, asked to employ me as
their agent and servant in the United
politicians will not permit them to have
much to say about tin which event
it would be useless for me to offer my
self as a vicarious sacrifice. AT pres
ent I can give you no answer, because
do not know what the people want.
Generally speaking, 1 believe the office
should seek the man, and not the man
the office, and l have not yet been adj
vised that any such exalted office as
United States senator has been seeking
me. Come out to the farm with me
some day, and 1 will show you some
fine horses and cattle and hogs, and
one of the finest stands of alfalfa in the
state
Mr.. Waggener is the picture of good
health, and seems to have recovered
from his many severe operations, and
while he will not commit himself, the
impression prevails here that, before
the Democratic banquet in February,
he will be in the race.