The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-30
Kansas VicisSitudes.

The subject of the v,rissitudes of Kan.
sas politicians has been recalled to mind
by the election of Sidney Clarke to the
Speakership. lilo once controlled tho
political patronage Of the State, and had
unlimited sums OF money ut his CON-
mand, whenever he had occasion to call
for it. But of late years, it has boon
said of lin that he is very poor and
without means OF support.
II is but few months since ono who
once occupied very high public posi-
ton in tho State, had carried on u pri-
vatc business in which hundreds of thou
sands were invested, was following the
occupation of gambling with grcenhorns
on railroad trains, and fleeing them by
means of marked cards.
A few years ago, q person occupied
one of the highest judicial positions in
the State, and was possessed of q hand
some property. A friend recently told
us that, a few months since, he happen
cd IN a certain Kansas city, and was TAX
ing a walk early in the morning. He
CHANGED to recoIlect that the person
above alluded to lived there, and meet
ing q man, inquired about him. The
man replied that the person picked up q
precarious living by peddling milk to
citizens. and spent most of his time in
the little doggery opposite to where they
were standing, cumming acquaintance es
,Vhn cam" To treat him adding, that if
our friend would stand there for few
moments, he would probably see HIM,
as it was about his time to be along.
Sure enough, in few moments, he saw
the person, miserable looking wreck,
shamble into the saloon. We bnve since
learned that his poverty is still greater,
as he now has no COW to furnish milk to
peddle.
We remember man who, but a very
short time ago, was accounted ono of the
money kings of the State. Ho bought
and sold politicians, and "paid the
checks" of mon in high position. He is
now stepped in poverty, and Is slowly
dying of an incurablo disease, subsisting
on the remains of property that his
wife saved out OF her own fortune.
1t has just been written of one who
was but recently wealthy and powerful
in politics, that influence counted for
nothing, rs no was without money or
friends.
A man known to all the old politicians
Of Kansas, as one of the shrewdest work
ers in the State, who used to control
and lead Legislatures, is
,ald now to be miserably poor, living on
the crumbs that he can gather from his
friends.
A few years ago, Western Kansas had
l business man whose name Was good
ior tens of thousands in any transaction.
His operations reached beyond the
Of the State, and means were
As politician, his influence
vas absolute in bis section of the State.
But few days since, he was begging . |
unfortunate cleI kship in the Legislature,
- means OF present support.
A man formerly Of largo wealth and |
political influence in the Southern part |
# the State, is now in the peniten tiary
md another, Of equal wealth and in
luence,in the Northern part Of the State,
, q fugitive in u foreign land, eking on,
living by the lowest species OF gamb-
ing and confidence games.
A former Territorial Governor is
arning living as compositor on .
ountry newspaper; and another recent
y died pauPcr, his family selling arti-
les of clothing to buy medicine for him.
former United States Senator 10 pub
ishing a newspaper that is scarcely
;nown outside of the town in which II
J published. The most powerful man
he State ever knew, is buried in sui
ide's grave, and two xCongressmen
re in iunatic asylums. The list might
g extended to columns bet the fore
DING are sufficient to show that politics
) a trade that is more uncertain and dis
sirous than pork and grain specializing.
Troy Chief.