The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-05
SLICK" JIM LEGATE.
The Story Of How He Worked the
Deep Water Racket
CONES OUT At WASHINGTON D. G.
The Only Man in Kansas Who Made
Money Out Of TIaat Agitation

The Only Man in Kansas VINO Made
Money Out q That Aisftafhon-
Topeka people all remember the cele-
brated deep harbor convention" which
was held here oil the list, 2Dd and 3rd Of
October. 1889.
All Kansas was interested in .deep
water at that time and one Of the results
of the convention was tie sending Of two
delegates to Washington as lobbyists in
the interest of the deep harbor bin then
before congress.
The two delegates sent from Kansas
were Colonel James f. Legate Of Leav-
enworth, and A. w. Dana Of Topeka
Mr.. Dana was the boomster who was GO
ing to build the nine story hotel at the
corner Of Eighth and Jackson Kansas
was at that time Republican state, and
was represented in the senate by John J.
ingalls, and the late lamented ex-senator
Plumb.
The following story, told by a Wash
ingt0n CORES ondent of the Globe Dem
ocrat refers to Jim Legate- He IS the
only man ia Kansas who is known to
always call ex-senator ingalls, "John"
The story in the Globe Democrat reads:
A wei known citizen Of Kansas
played picturesque engagement In the
lobby at Washington not long ago. 1t
was at "a time when -deep water at the
guIf' was ralIyIng the wesa One of the
deep water conventions was held in
Topeka. There were the usual delega-
tions, the usual speeches and the usual
resolutions on the importance Of the big
appropriation for Galveston ln the
midst Of 1he proceedings the would be-
lobbyist went to man IF influence in the
body and said
~ can't fix I'LL hut you can Have me
appointed 10y the convention to go to
Washington. IN get $500 a month for
expenses, and there's q fee Of $4,000
contingent on success Of the bill-
The appointment, which carried moth
ing On tile face of it hut empty honor,
was conferred. At the opening Of The
next session of congress the citizen Of
Kansas appeared at che capitol. lie
walked into the committee room of one
of the Kansas senators ana said in his
unctu0us way.
ssIohn. you've got 60 sign check for
me or do something else"
"What is the something elseeo the
senator asked.
slow 90 you stand on this deep water
proposition for Galveston harbor- was
the reply in the form of another cues
ton.
~I'm for it. Of course.y said the sena-
tor, readily. Kansas is as much inter
estad in II as IeNas-
s-W ell" explained the lobbyist, "yOu
just say So To nay friends when they come
around to see YOU and you WON'T have to
sign check for me-
"A similar conversation took place in
the committee room Of the other Kansas
senator. AS his next step the Kansas
man notified the alveston committee
THAT Ae was 1n W tallngtOn TO assist
them. He took them UP to see the Kan
sas senators. dwelling beforehand upon
his influence with those gentlemen who
really needed no coasSing, but we're az
ready thoroughly in sympathy with the
legislation. He presented the Galveston
men To the Kansas senators by turns and
drew out warm expressions Of encour-
ngement. lie made himself conspicuous
at the other emo Of the capitol. He sat
about the committee rooms One day he
appeared at hearing Of the bill and
made q statement that 10y reason of the
high transportation charges from Kansas
to the eastern seaboaTd the farmers Of
kansas were obliged Up burn corn
SIS is true, asked a southern member
Of the committee, sthat the farmers of
Kansas generally use corn for fuels"
IN 0t generally, perhaps, replied this
cheerful liar. shut about a third Of them,
A. might say'
The citizen IF KANSAS fastened him
self upon the Galveston pay roll He
spent the greater part of the session in
Washington. He made his headquarters
ia the committee room of one of the
Kansas senators, and those who saw MIN
there wondered at tke superb nerve with
which he made himself at home. Wien
the Galveston bill had passed and be-
come a law this citizen of Kansas coll
lected his contingent fee and went home.
When he reached Topeka the gentleman
who had secured him The commission to
represent Kansas sentiment tn Washing
ton met him and remarked.
.AMe ll, Jim. you're tackF'
ayes" said tile lobbyist 81 had
mighty bard time Of it getting that bill
through, but it's done.
Lowering his voice as if there was
something TO conceal he added:
Your name shall never appear in the
transaction