The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-24
GOVERNOR TOM.
Major T.. j. Anderson to Be
Made Governor
OF the Soldiers Home at LeaV-
enWOrth.
COL.ROWLAND TO QUIT
Present Governor Will be
Transferred to DanVilIes
Looks as Though Nothing Could
Prevent
COL.ROWLAND TO QUIT
The appointment of Major An
derson to the Place.


pointed governor of the National Sol
diers' home at Leavenworth. This has
been his ambition for years and it is
reasonably certain that if Governor
Smith had been removed Major An
dersOn would have been given the place.
Now a vacancy is about to occur from
another cause and Major Anderson's
friends are active and alert and moth
ing will be left undone to secure the ap-
pointment.
Leavenworth and DanviIe, Illinois
dispatches announce that Colonel J. G.
Rowland who is now in charge of the
home will be transferred to Danville
and placed in charge of the new
home which was established at that
place by an act of the last congress.
This would leave an open road for Ma
jOr Anderson and his pet ambition.
There are other things besides Major
Anderson's ambition that Will help him
to get the position. He had the en-
dOrSement of nearly every old soldier
in Kansas and Oklahoma for the po-
sitiOn of pension agent and when he
was turned down by the administration
a protest went up that surprised the
men in power. The fact is that Major
Anderson is the soldiers idol in the
west and nothing could be done that
would please them more than his ap
pOintment the controlling officer of
the Soldiers home.
Senator Baker has always been
friendly to Major Anderson and his
friends say that he would do all he
could to secure the place for him. Then
too, Baker was forced to recommend
some one else for pension agent over
the protests Of the old soldiers and it
is not unlikely that he would like to do
something to right himself with them.
The management of the Soldiers
home is in charge of a board OF control
which is responsible to no one but it is
probable that if President Mckinley
would request that some one be named
for governor of the Leavenworth home
his wishes would be followed by the
board. The Kansas member is Sidney
G. Cooke of Herington, a Democrat
Major Anderson was seen today and
shown the dispatch announcing his
say" he replied. The fact is that I
have not before heard of this proposed
transfer. l do not deny, however that
1 would like to have the place and I
have no doubt that the old soldiers of
Kansas and Oklahoma would support
my claims.
I do not know, however. that I
would be appointed in case the trans
fer is made but [ have no doubt tnat
if President Mckinley would recon-
mend me L would receive the appoint
ment''
1t is certain that Major Anderson will
lose no time in making a full investiga-
tion of the matter and it is also certain
that it will not be the fault of his
friends if he is not named Tor the va
cancy when it occurs.
The salary of the governor of the
Soldiers home is $1,000 per annum but
that carries whit the use of a residence
and other perquisites in the way of pro-
visions which really make the place
worth at least $1,000.
Following are dispatches referring to
the transfer of Governor Rowland, re-
ferred to:
Leavenworth, Nov 24.-ColoneI ].
G. Rowland, who succeeded Governor
Smith at the Soldiers home, is likely to
be given charge of the new home at
Danville, Ill, The change is likely to
be made in a few months
Colonel Rowland many years ago lived
in Danville. He and his wife have
many friends there now. AS soon as
congress in the last extra session pro-
vided for the construction of a new
home at DanYille, many of his friends
commenced to look after the matter in
the board of managers. 1t was first
ascertained that he would be quite glad
to change, owing to memories of old
times, and then the work commenced
The services of the first manager of
the new home are needed in arranging
the home during process of construc-
ton While the work is going on he
would act as a general superintendent
Colonel Rowland is getting along
very nicely in the home and many will
regret his departure.
Colonel q. B. PearsaH of Fort Scott
and Major Tom Anderson, of Topeka
are being referred to as possible success
sors of Colonel Rowland. The friends
Of both are said to be apprised of the
situation and are already pulling wires.
Danville, Ill, Nov. 24.-Representative
Joe Cannon, being asked if he had
heard OF Colonel Rowland in connection
with the position of first governor of
the new home located here admitted
that he had heard of it and that he
knew the colonel to be a very ca ma hIa
man for the position Mr. Cannon Sc
cured the passage of the bill, prOvidine
the new home, and hence he is thought
to be in a position to have something
to say about who shall have the place.