The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-31
POOR JERRY.
The Pride of the POpulists of
Kansas
Is a Very Sick Man and No
Mistake.
A REPORTER SEES HIM
AS He Passes Through the City
Today.
Illness Has Played Havoc With
the Noted Congressman,
But He Speaks Hopefully of
the Future.

When the 80 train on the Santa Fe
came in today it carried Congressman
Jerry Simpson on his way to his home at
Medicine Lodge.
When the train stopped, little woman
was seen assisting a sick man from the
Pullman sleeper to the depot platform.
He used a crutch and every step Of his
slipper shod feet was taken with difficult
tv. His black Prince Albert coat hung
loosely on a form wasted by disease aud
his broad shoulders were stopped as il
the man might be aged His cheeks
were sunken and his eyes, once SO bril-
liant, were dull and heavy as they glanc-
ed in a tired way from one object to
another over his gold trimmed spectacles
The man WAS Jerry Simpson and the
little woman was mrs. Simpson. 1t was
not the Jerry every one in Kansas used
to know whose merry laugh and ringing
voice started the echoes i'll a hundred
halls, and whose sallie5 of wit convulsed
his audience when he essayed to talk
politics. All this is gone now and be
has come back weak and broken with all
his old time animation gone Mrs. Simp-
son says he is better but he 10 still very
far from being we'll man.
No one except the JOURNAL reporter
was at the depot to meet him. He seem
ed half disappointed and appeared to be
looking for some one.
Mrs. Simpson brought him a glass of
buttermilk which he drank with "A relish.
THAT IS my dinner you see,' he said.
The reporter asked him about his health.
Il cannot say that l feel just we'll as
might" said Mr. Simpson, 'but still L
think I am considerably better. l have
stood the trip very well but l Will be
glad when 1 am at home again. Kansas
is not smiling much this year but am
glad to come back. l have 175 acres Of
Ill
pect is to have enough out of the crop to
feed them through the winter"
''Will YOU go to your home at onceS"
mo | will go to Wichita | promised
the Wichita folks that l would be there
on Monday to take part in the Labor
Day exercises and 1 am going to
keep my promise l should not have
tried to come now if it had not been for
my promise ] Will not be able to make
a speech, but l viii show my good will
by being present"
DO you expect to enter the campaign
soon?"
No. not soon," said Mr.. Simpson,
languidly 81 do not know when | will
be able to open up, but l will not do SO
until l am able to stand up under the
work. From what / can hear | am sat
isfied that l will be reelected without
much effort, but of course we will do
some work"
What do you think of the last con-
gress?" queried the reporter. For the
first time the congressman's features re-
laxed and a wan smile played for mo-
ment on his lips as he answered.
"Well, congress was in session for
thirteen months and then adjourned. and
1 think clearly demonstrated that it was
a failure, There Is nothing in the record
OF congress for anyone to be proud Of.
For the past six months was not able to
have anything to do with the Legislation,
and so / can not speak with SO much eX-
actness as | might. The Democrats had
hoped for radical tariff legislation and
the bill passed is almost exactly like the
Mckinley bill. 50 that the Democrats are
afraid to boast about it, while the Re
publicans are put out because it is SO
nearly like the Mckinley bill that they
dare not criticise il"
Are you satisfied with the work of the
PopuIIst members of congressf"
Yes. Although they haven't many
private bills which they are respOns-
ible for. and could not put
my finger upon any specific act Of gen
eral interest secured, still they exerci- ed
a great deal of influence on legislation.
4 he POpulists in congress are RESPONSE
BILE for the income tax. 1t never would
have been enacted if it had not been for
them. They told the Democrats that if
they wanted our votes they had to listen
to US and give US something, and SO we
got the income tax, which is in line with
Populist teachings.
"Ihe POpulists are attracting some at
tention-more than they ever have L
noticed that the congressman were very
anxious to ascertain our attitude on
various questions The southern mem
bers were particularly anxious TO know
how we voted, for they are just now hav-
ing a little more Populism in the south
than they can easily attend to.
sThe Democrats and Republicans are
going to pieces, and things have been
c. ming our way for six months;
in nearly every eastern district Populists
have been nominated. The Coxey move
ment and the strike have had a great eff
feet in our favor. The labor unions
have taken up politics, and invariably
the result is POpuIist gains
Il think, and l am sincere about il,
that we will hold balance of power in
the next congress. hope we shall not
have controlling influence, for it would
not be for the best. 1t would not be a
good thing to have so many new men
who are unused to legislation Grave
mistakes might be made That is one
thing IN which the west is behind the
east. They have experienced men in
congress, and no matter what the admin