Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-25

y;
William J. Bryan.
to keep them there. Rarely do you find
them absent from the House. They watch
legislation with intense interest, always
Offering amendments to bills in the interest
of the farmers they claim to represent. Both
are practical farmers. Baker has studied
law and was graduated from Waynesboro
College in 1856. He has also been a school
teacher. Davis is five years older than
Baker and was leading abolitionist years
ago. He has been the editor of paper and
Is widely known as writer on economic
subjects.
Not far away sits another Kansas popu-
list, Thomas }. Hudson. He has magnif-
cent physique and a sonorouS voice. He is
a close attendant on the sessions of the
House and an ardent listener He evident
ly has the elements of craftsmanship about
him. This was indicated in his speech on
the silver bill. Like his colleagues he was
brought up on a farm. but he has studied
law and was at one time a district attor-
ney. a lifelong democrat, he entered the
popuilst party about two years ago. Mr..
Hudson is dignited ard reserved in man.
ner. but Is man of great intellectual
strength and one that will develop mag
nihcertly when the occasion offers.
a contrast with the other populists is
Francis CT. Newlands of Nevada He is a
millionaire and a Yale alumnus. He Is the
trustee of the estate of the late William
Sharon. Aside from this, he is a partner
OF Senator William NJ. Stewart in real es-
tate deals. He is also a heavy stakeholder
in the Rock Greek railroad in this city.
he looks out of place in company with
Jerry Simpson, John Davis and other plain
farmers and sailors. His partner Senator
Stewart, can NOV and rake and bind but
Newlands would evidently be sadly out of
place in a wheat field. He is an able finan-
cier, an excellent lawyer and a fine speaker
although born in Natchez, Miss. With an
abundance of money at command, he ought
10 De a prominent figure in social life in the
capital. If Jerry Simpson, John Davis,
William Baker and others ever become
prominent figures in Washington society il
VII undoubtedly be through the influence
of Francis G.. Newlands.
The leading popUlst from Nebraska, If
William Jennings Bryan remains in the
democratic party. Is William Arthur Nc
keighan of Red,-9loud. McKeighan is tall
angular and bony. He has q. clean. shaver
face. high cheek bones sunken ewes and
thick brown hair He is a man of Drawn
ana intellect Born OF Irish parents in New
Jersey, he was soldier in the late war |
and afterward pre-empted a farm in Ne
braska. 1t is said that he was living in a
dug-out when first nominated for Office.
However this may be, IL is certain that he
mas turned many sod and reaped MANY an
acre of grain. With all this hard work he
has been an inveterate reader and is un-
doubtedly as we'll informed on political sub-
jects as any man in the House His speeches
SHOW great research and careful arrange
ment. There is nothing brilliant about him
ne ne never aspires to eloquence. but states
his facts in clear and precise language.
moldinS them so perfectly that the shrewd-
est lawyer would hardly be able 10 And a
joint In his armor. McKeighan is indebted
10 the Endorsement of a democratic conyen-
ton for his seat in the House He had run
for congress as democrat against James
Laird some years before. and was defeated
close attendant on the sessions of the
Rouse, there is no more useful man in
Congress "
Near McKeighan sits Homer Madison
KEN OF Broken Bow. Neb He is a sharp
eyed gentleman, with auburn hair and
beard. He was born in Indiana in 1855.
was brought up on farm, and received a
fair education. In 1882 he entered land
under the homestead law in Nebraska and
like McKeighan is said to have resided in
a dug-out when sent to Congress. KEN Is
a man OF the strongest convictions and is
a representative populist. Although not
dcfnonstrative in the House he is ever on
the alert. acting promptly whenever he con-
slders the interests of his party require il
The populists have no more faithful servant.
He Is serving his second tenn. He ran as
populist Independent beating the republi
car candidate over 1900 and the democrats
candidate over 11.OOO votes
y really demonstrative populist ia John
G. Bell of Colorado. Bell like Pence lie n /
rara avis among stump speakers He was
born in Grundy county. Tenn, and has
lived in Colorado since 1874 His sneecbaS
In the late campaign in Virginia attracted
much attention. He has made one or two
speeches in the House that have shaken
up the dry bones. Mr.. Bell is six years
older than his colleague, Mr.. Ponce If the
populists are to hold their own in Congress
and increase their membership IL will re- |
quire the continuous service of men like
Bell and Pence to do 1t. There are already
indications that the republicans are regain. !
ing their foothold in Colorado If this is
so, there will be high old times in the Rocky
mountains next fall. Bell and Fence will
probably find it easier to magnetic the
miners than to bewitch the farmers of Vir-
glnia. Wherever they appear they are sure
to have large audiences and to awaken the
utmost enthusiasm.
Last of all among the populists is Haldor
p. Boon of Minnesota. Boon was born in
Norway and came to this country when
seventeen years old. He owns a farm of
's32 acres which he pre-empted. He work. |
ed II for six years, teaching school in win |
ter. He has held many minor offices in
Minnesota and was the only farmers alli- |
ance candidate elected there last fall In |
deed, his influence in Minnesota politics is
remarkable, for unlike Ignatius Donnely |
and other populists, whose fame appears
10 be world wide. Boen makes very few
speeches. He is eminently social and
genial, however telling good stories and be- |
ing aOle TO converse upon almost any SUBJ |
Ject. When thoroughly aroused his speeches |
are very telling. He is a man of bone and |
slneW' and this bone and sinew extend to |
ms intellect. There is probably no one in |
Mlnnesota who has more influence with the |
norwegian element. Boon is a great friend /
OF knute Nelson, a Norwegian now gov |
erhor Of the state. Nelson was one of the !
Two republican members who voted for the !
AlllS Dill in the Fiftieth Congress- Boen is !
as fully Independent in his political con- /
vlctlons, and is evidently marked for higher |
honors. o
80 much for the populist members of the !
I ie' mere is not an idle man among |
them- They are always in their seats, and |
their names are found recorded upon nearly |
every ever roll call. They are not obstruction |
ISIS or cranks. but men who seem to have |
become convinced that the welfare of the |
Iis REQUIRES the services of a new DO
ntlcal party and that they have found and |
formed party to meet the exigency.
AMOS J. CUMMINGS