The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-18
THE BIG KANSAS FOUR.
HOW INGALLS, AND PLUMB PULL
TOGETHER IN THE TRACES.
The Strongest in the United States Senate
Today Is Kansas
Crofut in the Washington Post.

war New i Ork naQ the most distinguish
ed representatives in that body, but
Massachusetts, and Ohio cor sted foI
the primacy, position whicl yas cap
tured by the Bay state when Seward and
Chase were taken into Lincoln's cabinet,
and Sumner was left in his seat A few
years later Maine and New York were
rivals for the leadership, but the petu-
lance of COnkling and the ambition and
popularity of Blaine removed them both
from the battlefield, and Vermont was
left master of the situation. This place
the little Green Mountainous triangle
held for many years, till the infirmities
Of Mr. Morrell diminished his activity,
and the Kansas senators forged to the
front, where they now attract more of
| public attention and probably have a
greater influence on legislation than the
two senators from any other state.
To this result favorable conditions con-
spire.
They are almost always in their seats.
They possess unr1valled facility in de-
bate.
Like Dawes, Hawley and Pierce, both
/ Ingalls, and Plumb are old editors, and to
/ this fact some will be inclined to at
| tribute their oUtspoken frankness, their
untiring industry and the perfect COM
mand of their resources.
In fact, people who do not like them
! think they are altogether too candid, too
/ facile and too impetuous in their manner.
Plumb has grown several cubits since
! first saw him on the floor of the senate,
! twelve years ago. He was then con-
! spicuOusly raw, intellectually unkempt,
with vague knowledge Of public af-
fairs and dangerous promptness in eX-
| hibiting it. He had audacity, crude,
! slang whanging method, and a large
! fund of misinfOrmatiOn, and, thus
! equipped, he was ready to pitch into any
man on either side of the chamber.
His method is still somewhat rude but
he has grown to be one of the most eff
| fective all-round debateTs in the senate
the peer of any. The secret of it is that
he is a most persistent student. He is an
omniverous reader. He will master the
contents of almost any book in an hour,
and will assimilate its salient facts in
such a way that they are always on tap.
He does not memorize a book; he abSorbs
il. And he is fond of newspapers.
1t is a little odd that Plumb-halfa free
I TT INti 0bbNiu lliiN Il lltlSOhHi NADii. III
Mr. Morrill,. the venerable father of the
Himalavan tariff of our days. But 50 it
is. As his wife is never in Washington
he dimes with the "dean of the senate
every SUNDAY. The admiration. indeed,
is carried so far that his youngest son is
named Justin S. Morrill, Plumb
The absence Of his family gives him
time for the ardent studies and miscela
neous reading which equip him for the
motley discussions on the floor
He knows something of value con-
corning every subject that arises
and he very frequently surprises
the senate and country with a mass of
accurate knowledge about matters which
do not belong to his committees and are
not in the line of his personal experience
or official studies.
| know one other senator, at least. who
studies in the same way-studies like a
senior in his last college mOnth-SpoOner
of Wisconsin. Thoroughly social in his
tendencies, he persistentlv ignores the
whole social life of Washington and
sticks to his little back room on the sec
ond floor like a hermit to his cell, his
gas frequently burning past midnigt.
He has a scholarly temperament, and
finds keen pleasure in getting to the bot
tom Of things.
But I was speaking of Plumb, who,
Just at this moment, has caused grave
anxiety and embarrassment in certain
quarters by his attitude IN favor of a
wider reciprocity. His manner has oC-
Casionally got him into tronble,
There was his little brush with General
Atkins, Cleveland's Indian commissioner.
Atkins is a fierce. hot-headed Tennes-
seean, honest and frank. ready to fight
at the drop Of handkerchief, and quick
to take offense One of his aCQuaint-
anCes said 10 the president, shortly after
his appointment: atkins Is a good man,
cleSn-handed and everywhere respected,
but he is a bunch of tow. and you want
to keep fire away from him.
He and Sparks won't be in the same
bureau" remarked Dan gravely, but the
Joke was lost.
Atkins got tired of Indian worriment
and got out before Cleveland did, going
home to his l ,O0O-aCre farm and luxuri-
Gus dwelling in Paris, on the Mississippi.
One day, as l get the story from an
eyewitness. he was before a senate COM
mittee. and Plumb prodded him with too
specific questions.
Il refuse to answer vOur insolent Ques-
TONS exclaimed Atkins.
"Oh, well, keep cool, now; YOU can't
bulldoze us" said Mr.. Plumb.
Il Will not permit you % insult me,
sir, retorted the excited commissioner:
no man can safely impugn my honorr
Il must remind the Witness inter
rupted the chairman. 'that he can
scarcely expect TO dictate to the commit
tee what questions shall be asked him.
Plumb persisted in the questions, but
bunch of tow still regarded il as often
sive, and burst out: Il refuse to answer
your insolence, save 10 say that W II see
YOU outside OF this chamber and van
lShed lmpetuously.
He went outside and strobe up and
down the corridor, W ld with wrath !
Suddenly there came along an Ohio ac-
qualntance and a member OF the admin /
lStration. To tins conner he said: Lend |
me your revolver; I've left mine home
damn him. and told who he was wait |
ing for.
Il never carry a revolver" said the
other, who. graSpIng the magnitude Of
the difficulty, invented an errand. and
added quickly: General. Secretary La /
mar sent me TO find YOU. He wants TO
see You at once. You can attend to 1
Plumb later" After considerable Dcr-
suaSlon he induced Atkins TO accompany
HIM 10 the secretary's office. when he in I
stantlv boiled over with the indignity /.
and his intentions.
Look here. general said Mr.. Lamar. I
You are not the man 10 make such a .
fool OF Yourself. You nave too much F.
sense. ! was brought up lust as YOU