Evening star., 1894-01-27
REFUSED TO BUY OFFICE.
The Story Told of John J. Ingalls,
Defeat for the Senate.

Special Correspondence of The Evening star.
Topeka. Kan. Jan. 28 1894.
The announcement Of four candidates for
the United States Senate in the republican
party has caused the friends of ex-Sena-
tor John J. ingalls, to use his name as a
probable aspirant for the seat Of Senator
Martin. Until recently 1t was thought
the fight in the republican camp would be
waged between ex-senator Perkins ]. w.
Ceely. ]. r. Burton and Judge ]. B. John
son. Recently. however. the names of Chief
Justice Horton and ex-senator Ingalls, have
been suggested. and 1t is probable that
one or two others will also become candi-
dates.
The mention Of Ingalls, name has re-
vived an old story connected with his down.
fall In 1871, In which ]. r. Burtons name
figures conspicuously. When Ingalls, chief
manager. State Senator Buchan, then chair
man Of the state control committee, was
making a heroic effort to re-elect Ingalls,
the greatest stumbling block In his way
was a lack OF seventeen votes. He was
short this number. AS the story runs, he
sought out Sam Wood. the man who ter
rorize1 southwestern Kansas for years, and
discussed the situation with him. To re-
elect ingalls, ii was necessary to secure
seventeen populist votes. Wood being a
around and see what he could do.
After two days absence in the populist
camp Wood returned and made his report
to Buchan. He said he had looked the
ground over and was able to state that
the seventeen populist votes could be had
for $1,000. $1,000 each. This was the best
he could do.
Then 1t was that a grave and solemn
conference of republican leaders was held.
Few knew Of these negotiations, and when
Senator Buchan detailed the story and told
the assembled statesmen that a proposition
had been made to Senator ingalls, which
would land him in the Senate for six years
more, at the nominal expense of only
$1,000. and that he had Indignantly de-
clined to consider it, a pail fell over the
crowd and for a moment there was a death
like stiffness.
Several close friends of ingalls,, who were
present, did not believe Buchan and de-
clared they would see the Senator and as
certain the facts. They went to his rooms
and laid the matter before him. but he was
firm and protested that he would not pay
a dollar for a reelection. This stopped the
negotiations with Wood and all hope of
re-electing ingalls, was abandoned
There is another chapter to this story
that would proba bly, never have been known
but for the indiscreet statements OF q
friend OF j. r. Burton. who publishes a
paper in that Rentleman's county. Re-
Gently this friend Of Burton's declared that
the silver-tongued orator would now he
occupying seat I'm the United States Sem
ate put Tor the per.dy OF Billy Buchan
who managed Ingalls, campaign. This
rather vague but vicious charge caused
a great deal Of whispered comment among
the leading republicans of the state and
the lading question was, How did Buchan
Keep Burton out Of the United States SEN
ate?
The problem was solved in some way. ana
the explanation made seems to be satisfac-
tory TO the politicians. While Buchan and
Burton decline to talk about IL, the story
Is going the rounds that when ingalls, re-
fused to negotiate for the seventeen popu-
list members of the house at 81 600 per
head. Burton went to Sam Wood and agreed
to take them. 1t is related that Wood at
once entered into the deal. but the next
thing was to get the republican members
who were standing firm for Ingalls, The
plan was laid before Buchan and he re-
fused to consider such a proposition, and
gave Burton to understand that he never
could get the republican votes. Burton felt
sure Of the seventeen populists but when
II came to getting about sixty republicans.
ingalls, manager. Buchan. stood like
stone wall m the way OF consummating
the deal
AS Kansas politicians have II. this is the
reason J. r. Burton is not now occupying
seat in the Senate. instead Of William A
PETER