The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-24
Chef LONG'S JUBILEE.
Making His Royal Progress
Through Southern Kansas,
On the Outstretched Necks of
His Devoted Subjects.
Local Politicians Fight for a Chance
of Carrying His Handbags
Struggle to Approach
the Throne.

Chester Ichabod Long shorn of the hon
or of representing the Seventh district in
congress, but owing to the peculiar feat
ures OF politics, equipped with the power
to select postmasters among his consti-
tuents, is now making triumpha1 jour-
ney through the Seventh district giving
candidates a hearing. Queen Victoria s
Diamond Jubilee pales before the SPLEEN
dor of this royal progress. Crowds of de-
votees-candidate for office-hover about
Mr.. Long, who by reason of his own am
bition to become governor of Kansas. is
also playing for recognition and consider
alton.
As the pie-dispenser goes from place to
place in southern Kansas, great commo-
ton and anxiety among the politicians is
manifested. At each town where the ex-
congressman stops there is a rush among
the brethren to get an opportunity to
carry his grips to the hotel. There he oc-
cupies the best room in the house, at the
expense of the candidates, and listens pa
tiently while fractional fights and person
al grievances are aired in his presence
There is an interesting fight in yelling
ton over the postOffice. A. A. Richards,
editor of the Wellington Mail is the can
date who expects Longs endorsement.
The Republicans are, however, opposed to
Richards appointment and the scramble
among the opposing forces is described
in an interesting manner by yesterdays
Wellington Journal:
Mr.. Longs coming last night was the
cause for considerable anxiety and COM
motion among the office-seekers. There
was lively scramble between Boss Rich
ards and the Republican forces of the
city to which should be the most rec
ognized by the Big Chief. Not until this
morning did theanti- Richards forces sue
coed in getting in their graft with the
pfe-dispenser. The first indication that
there was to be a lively contest before
Long between the Richards and the Re
publicans of this city was yesterday aft
ernoOn, when the boss was seen going
into a bath house with a clean white
shirt and crash suit on his arm. The
anti-Richards forces, which embraces
every Republican in the city with the ex-
ception of Jim Lawrence and Charlie
Bright, when they noticed Richards pre-
pairing himself for presentabIe appear
ance before Long. began to stir around
and succeeded in mastering up a crowd
sufficiently large to hold an indignation
meeting, al which it was decided to make
a last ditch fight against Richards ap-
pointment as postmaster. Harry Lopez
was delegated as spokesman. and he. with
w. r. Spicknall, DR.. f. G. Emerson, G.
e. Elliott, F. A. Amsden, DR.. A. Brana-
man and Judge Levi Ferguson were chos-
en- to meet the chief al the train. When
the Rock Island pulled in and the tall
form of Chester I. Long darkened the
door of the Pullman, Richards was found
to be right in the crowd and fighting like |
a trooper for first place in prominence. !
There was a concerted movement to Sc |
cure possession of Longs hand bags, in
which Harry Lopez came out victorious. |
Lopez gathered both of Longs satchels |
in one hand and grasped his right hand |
with the other A general handshalxing |
and exchange of greetings followed and |
the party entered the bus for the Ar |
lington. At the hotel Boss Richards |
strategy enabled him to make a ten |
strike against his enemies. Lopez. in his |
anxiety to keep to the front of the pro- |
cession, stepped out of the bus first and |
was followed by the rest of the crowd. |
remained seated with Long and |
after they had all gotten out he nimbly |
gathered up the big politicians grips and |
triumphantly through the crowd |
into the hotel. The Lopez delegation was |
so chagrined by this little effective piece |
of generalship that it was several min |
utes before they could gather their wits. |
In the meantime the ex-congressman had |
been buttonholed in the hotel and was lis |
tening to sea tales from the oleaginous |
tongue of the seIf-constituted boss. The
Lopez crowd finally sneaked in and was
working up a familiarity with Long when
went over to Charlie Smith and
him that Long wanted to go to
MS room Immediately. Long was escorted |
upstairs and this settled the Lopez crowd
for the time being and the wiley boss"
ambled out into the cool and enjoyed his
Havana in solitude until Long announced
his readiness to listen to the presentation
Of claims for the Wellington postoffice.
The conference lasted until very late
and was resumed this morning bright and
early, continuing until within few min
utes of train time.
Mr.. Long was taken to the train in a
hack, accompanied by Harry Lopez DR..
F. G. Emerson and Lon Tyner prominent
members of the Republican county central
committee. They are quite jubilant over
the fact that the boss" was outwitted at
the end and that he was delayed from ac-
eompanying them to the train.
Mr.. Long took the various cases pre-
sented to him under advisement and will
make his recommendations after due de-
liberation has been given each case.
MarshalPs Band.
Go to Garfield park this evening and
hear the open air concert given by
band.