The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-20
POLITICAL GOSSIP.

IUlIIIUHl OUOOII
Continued from Page One)
the Hodges following and it is claimed
among state house Democrats that he
will be urged to run If Hodges Is a
candidate for the senate.
But Brooks will not have a clear
field. Far from it. James w. Orr OF
Atchison has announced his intentions
of trying for the gubernatorial nomi-
nation. Senator A. B. Carney of Con-
cordia wants in. Senator Harry Nc
MILAN of Minneapolis would like to
run. With Brooks that makes four.
And w. L. Uronjaw) Brown is yet to
be considered.
Just now Brown is a most deter.
mined senatorial candidate. But if
Hodges really wants to make the
race, 1t Is believed that the speaker
Of the 1913 session will step aside and
clear the track for the Hodges special.
Whether Brown would then run for
governor Is yet another matter.
Many politicians believe he would be
a candidate. And therein the admin
istration crowd would find it embar--
RAISING to openly choose between
Brooks or Brown, who fought the
Hodges measures through the recent
legislative session. held the organiza-
ton together and then stepped. aside
to permit his chief to crafty his de-
sire to go to the United States senate.
Many OF the state house Democrats,
however, claim that Hodges will re-
main in the gubernatorial contest. So
far as is known, Hodges has taken no
one into his confidence in the matter.
He said he would announce his plans
February % and up to q late hour
today had not changed his program.
Many Kansas people, have -urGada the
governor to run for senator. On the
other hand his close advisors have
argued against the plan. They fore
see trouble in the next campaign with
Hodges name on the senatorial ticket
and fear that an open fight for gov
ernor may impair the chances of elect
ing a state ticket.
But putting Hodges in the senatorial
fight, Brooks will probably be the
choice of the administration crowd for
governor whether the plan exactly
pleases 'Ironjaw" Brown or not
Brooks is new in state politics, has
ability in making friends and has
played craft and cunning in his de-
ductions on political conditions and
situations. In Fort Scott, which is
still Brooks home, he was twice elect
ed mayor and was for two terms sher-
If of Bourbon county. His first in
than a year ago when Governor
Hodges picked him out as a likely
political advisor and placed him on
the state board of control And with
Hodges in the senatorial fight, there
is every indication that the Bourbon
county Democrat will be a candidate
to succeed to the governorship.
Endorse COburn for Governor.
Farmers and members Of the Ellis
county booster club have endorsed F.
D. Coburn, retiring secretary of the
board of agriculture, as the Republi-
-
meeting in Hays, the farmers and
business men of the county sang Co.
burns praise and reviewed his twenty
years work on the agricultural board.
Coburn, however, has not irftimated
that he wanted a politica. job. In fact
in his resignation he said that he want
ed to learn for himself the true mean
ing of a vacation and indicated that he
intended to take one when he retired
from the board June 30 In the 20 years
that Coburn was secretary Of the
board of agriculture. he lodged many
opportunities to enter politics. On sew
eral occasions he refused the appoint
ment as president of the State Agricul-
tural college, fearing the results OF
political influences. In 1898, he was
boosted as a Republican candidate for
governor, but refused to enter the race.
Again ten years later. Coburn's name
was mentioned as a gubernatOria1 pro-
liability. Again Coburn declined. In
1906. Coburn won the distinction OF be-
, ing the only man in Kansas who ever
rejected an appointment as United
States senator. 1t was in June, 1906,
| that Governor E. W. Hoch offered to
send the veteran secretary Of agricul-
ture to the United States senate to
serve the unexpired term Of ]. Ralph
Burton. Coburn,s reply was to the ef-
feet that his job suited him fairly well
j and that he suffered from no desire to
enter politics.
! Little for Attorney General
After flirting with the nonpartisan
] judiciary plan for several months and
planning to seek nomination as q can
didate for associate justice OF the su-
preme court, c. b. Little, of Olathe
has decided that he will now run for
i attorney general. In 1912 Little was the
Democratic Lominee for attorney gem
eral. but was defeated in the election
by General John 9. Dawson.
/ GaffOrd for Chairman.
Since the statement Of Secretary Of
State Charles Sessions that he will not
be candidate for chairman Of the
Republican, state committee. many
Republicans have suggested the name
Of J.. C. Gafford, now acting secretary
| of the state committee. Since ]. N
Dolley left the state committee mine
months ago. Gafford he's. beeh on1cia
keeper of the stamp and seal Of th<
state organization. Now the former
state accountant is suggested 40 state
chairman. Il II probable that Gafford
may be elected when the COMMITTEES
comes to TQpaka in February to eleci
Oolley,s succeeeor.