The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-17
A TALK WITH YORK.
The Blue Eyed Boy Who Fixed
"Old Subsidy's" Destiny.
CANYASSING PUBLIC OPINION.
An Idle Hour in the Kansas
Senate Chamber.
WAS NOT SEEKING No10REfY."
Willing to Wait Years for
His Vindication.
How He Broke an Enlist
ment Fraud.
POMEROY'S "YOUNG MAN."
Another Fearful $4,000, but in Coun-
terfeit Money This Time.
rssfel ftt falrt .r~ f
Did Senator Pomeroy Conspire for
Miss Cations Arrest?
Pen Portraits from a Prairie Legisla-
ture- Simpson, Winter, Payne,
Crowther and York.
PoMERoY's "YoUNG MANI
Another Fearful $4,000, but in Coun-
terfeit Money This Time.
Did Senator Pomeroy Conspire for
Miss Caton's Arrest?
Pen Portraits from a Prairie Legisla-
ture- Simpson, Winter, Payne,
Crowther and York.

CrOwther and York.
TOPEKA, Kansas, Feb. 10, 1873.
Up to the present time there has been nothing
developed in the details OF Pomeroy's defeat which
would show either that there was anything like O
widespread conspiracy against him to achieve his
downfall, or that his successful opponent, Senator
elect John J. ingalls,, had the slightest knowledge
OF the trap that was so adr0itly set and so fear
fully and enectually sprung. There were four men
In the Job" to wit: State Senators York and
Johnson, ex-Speaker Ben +. Simpson and ]. G.
Horton. York has apparently made most 'reputa-
ton" out Of it, and Ben Simpson has done next
best; but York win in the end be considerable of
martyr to his patriotism. He is q man of extraor-
binary nerve, however, and may come out with
less damage than would be the case if he did not
possess 30 much selfreliance. Ben Simpson Is
without doubt the biggest winner-except Ingalls,,
OF course-as he figures as the engineer Of the
strategy, and has removed political opponent
who had power to check, and for some time
past has uniformly frustrated all OF Ben's
political schemes Ben was here as q l0bbyman,
pure and simple, and declared foe Of "old Pom,'
and his skill this session is sufficient to graduate
him with honor into Tammany's Oldest Albany
Alumni association. Pomer0y has been working
against him for some years past, and, outside of
his interference with Bens quietude and influence
In the Postmaster's position at Paoa, he had also
the audacity to start q newspaper in that section
to further his own and damage Ben's chances.
Ben, who is lawyer by profession, had paper
there before Pomeroy brought his ''organ" into
the town, and the old mans action took the wind
out OF Ben's sheet and deprived him Of certain
valuable Official and railroad advertising. Hence
Ben's hostility 1t does net appear that York had
any special reason for his opposition to Pomeroy
beyond his alleged dsbeliefin the old mans policy,
aud that he thought Kansas would be better Off if
represented In the Senate by some man who felt
an interest in the State But both York and Simp-
son seem to loom up historically as
CHRONIC ANrI-coRRUPTIoNIsTs
While Ben was Speaker Of the House OF Repre-
sentatves Caldwell was elected TO the Senate and
Ben worked hard TO secure his defeat. Finding,
however, that all his efforts were unavailing, Ben
put himself down on the record in remarkable
manner by denouncing Caldwell on the floor of the
Joint convention, aud in a speech Of great force
and bitterness he declared that Caldwells election
had been achieved by the use Of money. Subse-
quent developments, as brought out before the
Caldwell Investigating Committee, rather tend to
show that Ben knew very nearly what he was
talking about. Ben is a blonde, OF square,
plump physique, and with q singuarly 'cute
expression in his eye. He is about thirty
eight or forty years of age, probably,
though his complexion makes it difficult
to estimate his years. Any way, it is perfectly
safe to say that, If he does not look old
think he is, he knows enough to be considered
two score years OF age. He is clever, quick to de-
eide, and has all the force Of character necessary
to carry out his plans when he has once matured
them. He Is here as lobpyman this session. but
no one hints at anything whatever affecting his
general good reputation.
But YORK IS THE NAN
concerning whom all who have not seen him are
most anxious to learn something. I have had the
question put to me scores Of times. 'what do you
think of York;" or "What sort Of man is this
man YorkS'' will now try to answer the Question:
by simply detailing what l have seen of
him, his personal appearance, manner and
conversation. short time after the expose OF
Pomeroy requested an interview Ex-senator York.
but after brief consultation with Ben Simpson he
said that, inasmuch as the matter was to be made
the subject Of legislative inquiry in day or two
he preferred to make his first detailed statement
Of the matter under oath and before the committee
Although my reportorial instinct led me to regret
his decision, could readily perceive the CAUTION Of
the man In the course he had adopted He did not
desire that he should be subjected TO the possible
ordeal Of comparing his desultory conversation
Will newspaper man with MS testimony, ana
explaining discrepancies which might appear
either through error Of mine or inadvertence Of
his own. So much for his faculty of caution.
On Saturday night he concluded his testimony
before the committee; but his evidence was 40 very
detailed and minute that 1t was apparent there
was little remaining upon which could develop
anything new in reference to the bribery matter
This afternoon was In the Senate chamber and
commenced q casual
CONVERSATION WITH THE SENATOR
as he sat at his desk putting away papers in his
drawer. The Senate was not in session at the
time. Mr.. Crowther, the very good-looking and
polite young Secretary of the senate, had his hat
on the back OF his head, and be sat back in his
chair, with his feet on his desk, was busy tapping
his slippered toes with penhoder. George
was thinking, doubtless, what would become
OF the $1,000 which he has In his GUS
pooy. He Is firm in the conviction
that Pomeroy will not reclaim II. He says he
IT may be left on his hands, and that some night he
may &c Garroted by some footpsd, who might
fancy George carries the money in his clothes ali
the Time: Finlay, the Sergeant-at-Arms, leaned
against the dOorpost ana
CONTEMPLATED A CIGAR
as tn0ugn ne was In doubt whether IL was made of
pure vuelta Abato leaf or prairie bunch grass Now
and then ne EXCHANGED aword or two across the
specimen OF western manhood who acts as door.
keeper to the investigating committee, and looks
as though ne could keep that door against ali
Corners. His fantest smile would send q Comanche
away whistling "Goodby, Charlie" Ben Simpson
sat at the end OF the chamber, with his plug
hat pulled over his eyes and his chair tilted against
the wall waiting to be called before the committe
and half dozen senators were busy IN their seats