The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-22
PETER is LACONIC.
He Telegraphs Home ssrhe Man Who
Has Friends is Not Alone''
Washington, d. c., Jan. 81, 1897.

He Telegraphs Home ssThe Man Who
Has Friends is Not Alone"
Washington, d. c., Jan. q, 1897.
To ]. w. Morphy, Topeka:
The man who has friends is not alone.
w. A. PETER.
The above telegram received yester-
day is the comment of Senator PETER
to the announcement that he had been
defeated in the Populist caucus for re-
nomination
]. w. Morphy, editor of the Advocate
who is the only man who knew the ms
and outs of Senator PETERS campaign,
if campaign it can be called, says that
three things defeated Senator PETER:
F1rst-The demand that the United
states senator must be a farmer.
Second-The cry that the senator
must be western man.
Third-SenatOr Harris record on the
racine railroad bill and the belief that
he will be able to take up the work in
behalf of Kansas and carry it through.
All the efforts of the opposing candi-
dates were concentrated in getting votes
away from Senator PETER" said Mr..
the votes from PETER they could drop
the cry about a western man without
any trouble
It am satisfied that Senator PETER
expected to be returned to the senate
on his record. There is no blot on any
part of his public career and he felt as
n. A
though have heard from Senator PEI
Ter frequently he has never indica ted
what ne viii do. suppose he will re-
turn to Topeka soon after March but
L have no idea what he will do"
D. M PETER, foreman of the Kansas
Farmer composing room and Sherman
Pefter who is employed as a compositor
on the Advocate are the only members
OF the family who are in the city. Mrs.
PETER went to Washington when the
senator left on election day and Miss
Nellie PETER, their daughter, is his pri-
waite secretary and is also in Washing
ton. Elwood PETER. the youngest son
left few days ago for California where
he is employed as foreman in a sugar
factory.
d. M. PETER said today to a Journal
reporter when questioned about the
business his father would follow when
he returned to Topeka:
L haven't the least idea. I have re-
ceived no information from him con-
corning his Intentions
Were you surprised a his defeat?"
Yes, confess that 1 was somewhat
surprised. 1 was satisfied that father
would be returned to the senate. L
knew that he had done his duty and
thought that he was entitled to an in
dorsement in the way of reelection
That is generally expected"
DO you think he had any doubt
about being re-eIected?'
mo, do not believe he anticipated
defeat. When he left home for Wash
of election. It cannot but be a great
disappointment to man who is in pub
lie office and who has tried to do his
duty, to be defeated. l do not know
how father feels about it, but I imagine
he is disappointed"
Mr.. PETER said he did not know that
it would have done any good if Sena-
tor PETER had been here to personally
look after his campaign. There may
have been combinations that nothing
could have overturned and I do not
suppose that it would have been much
different if father had been here.
II suppose the folks will come home
as soon after March 4 as possible.
There is nothing to keep them there.
believe that father is a friend of his
successor though I do not know how
long he has known him.
1t is known that Senator PETER has
always intended to return to the news
paper business. Before he returned to
Washington he told Journal reporter
that the newspaper business was his
life work and he had no intention of
abandoning it whether he served one
or more terms in the United States
senate He will probably resume his
work in the position of editor of the
Advocate