The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-12
FROM 4 DISTANCE
Washington Interested I'm Kan.
sas Senatorial Fight.
Tribute to Martin = The
HOdges-Waggener Fight.

interview given out in Topeka, State
Senator Bale Waggener stated it was
his opinion that Governor George
Hodges would very likely announce
didate for the United States senate to
succeed to the seat Of Senator Joe
Br1stow. which becomes vacant March
| 3, 1915.
This news, conveyed to Washington
by the Topeka State Journal. created
no little interest among Kansas De-
| mocracy here, particularly when 1t
was announced that Senator Thomp-
! son was urging Hodges to enter tho
race at this time.
1t has been known here for the past
year or more that Governor Hodges
would at some time sooner or later
become a candidate for the senate. It
| is understood that he had indicated
this desire to his close political friends
shortly after he became governor.
! Senator Waggener's statement re-
garding Hodges likely candidacy at
this time is highly Illuminating, be-
cause of the fact that it does not agree
| with an alleged arrangement or pro-
gram formulated among certain lead
| ing Democrats of Kansas several
months ago.
The original plan agreed upon was
| that Henderson Martin, state chair
| man of the Democratic committee,
| would be put forward as candidate
| for the United States senate to succeed
Bristow. and Mr.. Hodges would seek
election for a second term as governor:
at the expiration of q second term In
| the gubernatorial chair Hodges would
become a candidate to succeed to the
| seat in the senate now occupied by
William Howard Thompson. This pro-
gram was completely upset when
Henderson Martin some weeks ago
declared himself as not seeking
senatorial toga.
Just what Mr. Martins future plans
q iS q n n
derstand or have knowledge Of. At
the same time, however, the Kansas
Democrats in Washington concede the
fact that he has the unQuestioned
States senator from the Sunflower
state, If a Democrat is to be selected.
On the other hand, it is just as much
conceded that Senator Thompson, be-
ing fearful of the popularity OF
Hodges, is quite anxious to see him
| in the senate before he (Thompson)
ends his own term of service. In other
words, he wants Hodges either elected
or eliminated as senatorial timber be-
| fore that time. Therefore, it is con-
| sidered quite natural that for his own
| political preservation Thompson is
| now backing Hodges for the senate
at this time.
| According to opinion here. the
most interest is conferred upon whom
Henderson Martin favors for the SEN
| ate. He is looked upon as the die
tator of the situation, and without
his friendship and moral support no
man can land the toga.
1t is known that he and Thompson
have not been very good poht1caI
ed-fellOWs. While on the surface
they confer on state and national af-
fairs, there is apparently ample room
| to suspect that they are not harmon
ious on all things.
Although the junior senator from
Kansas, controlling as he does the
national patronage of the state per-
ceptibly feels the power of Martins
strong hand in state affairs, and is
naturally compelled to do the latter's
bidding and seek his advice for his
own self preservation.
Some of the politicians here feel
with much certainty that the Sage
from Atchison'' will enter the sena-
toria1 race. If he does, and Hodges
becomes his principal adversary. it
il thought that Kansas democracy
| will be confronted with one of the
hottest political conflicts since the
palmy days of Populism. Both are
in every section of the state.
In the event these two men enter
the race at the same time it is ex-
pected that other candidates will be
brought out in their respective in
terests and in this way the senatorial
SITUATION Will De 1uaQ0 complicated.
There is some talk Of Congressman
Medley and Taggart getting into the
fray II they decide to become sena-
torial candidates their friends declare
they will enter the fight to win the
honor and will not be STRAW men,"
F. C. Roberts of Usage City, Kan
sas, an official of the proof room in
the government printing office, has
been confined to his home for the past
several weeks, following a severe
operation. He is now out and will be
able to resume his official duties
within a few days. Mr.. Roberts is
the agent for the Union Printers
Home and an ex-president of Column
bia typographical Union Of this city.
Mary E. Nickel has been appointed
postmaster at Thinker, Kan.
Frederick v. Bellar of Coffeyville,
Kan, is a visitor in Washington.
Tn eTnp WHIPPING