The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-20
Under No Conditions Will He
Be Democratic Candidate.
HE'S SATISFIED At ELDORADO
Former Bank Commissioner is
Having Much Fun.
Watching Oil Make MiIiiOnaires
His Chief Sport.

Glare and glamour of a state house
iob-esneciallv the influence. dignity
and prestige of the governorsh1p-
appeaIs to thousands of Kansans. Not
so to william F. Benson. He is thru.
He prefers life in the busy mushroom
oil town of Eldorado, oil royalties and
bank dividends rather than vote chas-
ing.
Some time ago ardent Democrats
sought to push Benton into the guber-
material race. In Topeka today Ben
son nut his good right heel fairly and
souarely on the boomlet and buried IL
for all time. Benson doesn't want 10
he governor doesn't want to weep on
the public neck, doesn't want to cod
die the babies and has no desire for
the Joys and sorrows of a governor.
Benson doesn't know what his party
will do with its governorshlp nomlna-
ton. He knows only that ne mas
built himself a bomb proof trench and
is safe.
Had Enough Politics.
Four years state senator and three
years state bank commissioner, as well
as a number of years as director on
the firing line in red hot campaigns
has been enough for Benson. He is
willing that some young, hopeful and
ambitious soul shall take over all the
burdens And being fair minded. BEL
son is equally willing to give some
willing party a receipt in full for
all the joy, solace and comfort that
goes with the job.
Il haven't the slightest idea of rum
ming for governor, don't want to run
and don't intend to run. You can set
that down flat. The stronger you
make it, the better it will suit me.
1t is very kind of a lot of people to
mention me in connection with the
matter. But l don't intend to run.
Eldorado suits me pretty well. We are
having a lot of fun down there. l
enjoy the association of a bunch of
fellows who have climbed into the mil
lionaire class over night. We have
lot of fun in Eldorado.
Story of Quick Wealth.
''Why, just while back, a young fell
low who used to be night clerk in one
of the livery stables leased a little
piece of the hills and now he has
royalty income of $4,000 a day We
have grown from a town of 5000 to
$4,000 and people are coming so fast
we can't begin to take care of them.
The North American Hotel company
is going to build a seven-story hotel
and SO many of my neighborS have
become wealthy over night it is almost
necessary to issue a daily supplement
to the local blue book.
Being governor is a laudable am
bition. 1 don't want to dispara gingly
discourage anyone. But it's not for
me. I've had all the politics 1 want
and can afford. Besides, 1 don't want
to leave Eldorado. If l sort of stick
around, maybe some day a streak of
this golden luck will hit me. You
never can tell"
Is Town Promoter.
Benson is not only extensively in
terested in the banking industry, but
he owns several large tracts of land
near Eldorado. Recently he plated
and sold an addition to the town.
Every lot was sold at private sale in
four hours. The lots sold at a figure
which a few years ago would have
been fair offer on one-half the town.
So, while Benson waits for the oil
flow from his farms, he is doing his
bit as a member of the second district
appeal board and tries to catalogue
the new arrivals in the Butler county
millionaire crowd.