Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-09-26
HOW A KANSAS MILLIONAIRE ONCE
RAN FOR OFFICE.
Was willing to "Blow HIMSELF" but
Not I'm the Only Way That lis Ef-
fective With the Kansas
Pops, So He Wasn't
GIN IT,

1t will be remembered that in the iegis-
lature Of '93 the Populists and Republicans
were SO evenly divided that four Demo-
cratic members held the balance of power
on Joint ballot. A United States senator
was to be elected. The four Democratic
members took advantage of their position
and succeeded In electing their man-John
Martin. 1t was in this fight that the mil
lionaire got lis first, and so far. last, ex-
perience.
His name was J. B. Watkins. president Of
a big loan and mortgage company here.
and Democrat. Before the Democrats and
Populists held their caucus to nominate
senator the situation was badly mixed.
No one had a cinch on the nomination.
Someone started the senatorial bee to buzz
ing in Watkins ear and he went to To-
peka and entered the race. Should the
Democrats and Populists agree on the
same candidate, the Republicans knew
there was no chance to land their nominee
Joe Ady. The fight reached a point where
1t looked certain that John Martin would
be the fusion nominee. Some of the Repub-
licans thought it would be the proper thing
then to go in and try and beat Martin
with some good. consistent Democrat. Wat
kins was a consistent Democrat.
Taylor and Kelly Take Charge.
General Taylor took charge of Watkins
campaign. About that time ex-senator H.
B. Kelly, of Mcpherson. then Republican,
but now a Pop, fell in, to look over the
ground. He soon became convinced that
the Democrats and Populists would unite
and carry off the plum. so he made up his
mind to return home. He got his grip and
started out the door of the hotel, when he
met General Taylor.
You must not go home now," said Tay-
lor. .....t. u...-
"Oh, It's no use staying here. The DEM
ocrats and Pops have the senatorship cor
rallied" replied Kelly. Its no use for Re-
publicans to waste any more time"
81 have a scheme that will paralyze 'em,"
said the general, land you must stay and
help me work it. 1 have a candidate to
spring soon. He Is winner"
who is he." inquired Kelly.
The general took him to the wash room
and ccnfidentially told him. Il want you
to stay and help run the campaign" he
said.
Rather strange thing for Republicans to
run Democrats campaign jocularly
suggested Kelly. He and General Taylor
were both Republicans.
''Yes, but it's the only way we can lick
John Martin. and. besides, IL we win we,
will have the honor of landing a million
aire in office In Kansas. It will be record
breaker"
Kelly decided to stay. That afternoon he
was introduced to Watkins. Rev. Mr.. PEN
deton, a Methodist presiding elder, was
one of Watkins managers, and Mrs. Lease
also enlisted under the Watkins banner.
While Watkins served notice that he
would not bribe members to vote for him..
he said he would stand all legitimate ex-
pense. Kelly, Taylor and Pendleton each
took suite of rooms at the Copeland.
MIR. Watkins backing.
At the first conference between Watkins
and his managers. Kelly asked him what
political backing he had. You must bring
influence to bear to get those four Dem
ocratic members first. or there is no use
going further" Kelly said. THE way to
get them would be to promise them the
four big federal jobs. There is one big
job for each Democratic member"
Watkins, to show that he had backing,
drew from his pocket a letter written by
Vice President Stevenson to the four Dem
ocratic members that if they had not made
up their minds to vote for somebody else
he YOU'D lat It If they voted for
big card.
Watkins is a big fellow with a red face.
stronger than coffee, it was feared that
some of the members would take him to be
a heavy drinker. In order to surmount
they should take him out for walk of
five or six miles every morning before
breakfast. That would draw the blood out
candidacy, had been kept a profound Sc
Cret.
The campaign finally reached that point
where Watkins wanted the announcement
of his candidacy published. He said local
publication would not be sufficient. He
conntry on the same day The ns
did not know how to accomplish this, so
they took into, confidence an Eldorado
editor and made him press agent.
The press agent said it would cost about
sired, Kelly asked if $500 would not be
Sufhcient. The press agent said he might
squeeze it through for that sum, but it
would be close shave. Kelly then noti-
fed Taylor and in a few minutes the cash
to the press agent. The newspaper men
were then given the tip.
Where the Correspondents Came In. g.
Great scott.'' they remarked in unison.
,a,.ar anar money me & Is gone right now It will
never De sca.tered; sn1 re- ~, There was mutiny
cording, to the gang rule prevailing at that
time; threatened to throw cold water on
Watkins candidacy: The managers saw
them. however. and. arranged 1t so that if
they could not say something good they
would not say something bad. -. ".
peared. Kelly started down the street to
see how 1t took. He met Dave Overinyer
HTSI.
q see there is a new Democratic candi-
date for senator" remarked Kelly.
Is, he, anyway"
Pretty soon Ex-Governor Click came
along.
ing" said Kelly -.
$50 1 see. Who the dickens is he? I
never heard of such a Democrat in Kan
sas."
Bailie waggener next tripped along.
"A new candidate for senator" put in
Yes. Can you give me any information
about him? He's a new one on me, and
! thought ! knew about all the Kansas
And so it went. Not solitary Demo-
crat of any prominence whatever had ever
heard of such a man as Watkins.
Kelly returned to the hotel, downcast.
To General Taylor he said:
Z General, we are up against it. Nobodv
seems to know our candidate. Even Click
Overmyer and Waggener never heard OF
him. AS managers for Democratic can-
dicate am afraid we, as Republicans, are
not a success"
Taylor said to keep on. They would find
someone that did know Watkins so they
telegraphed all over the state to Watkins
ridors Of the hotels and talk watkins and
make it appear. If possible, that he was
the best known man in Kansas The apentS
came in and talked Watkins from rnorninp
until night. = . 'e
Thought He Had Cinch.
One day at noon Watkins rushed up to
the rooms of his managers and told them
to let up in their work.
Its no use TO do any more" said he
II am going to be elected on the first bal,
lot
What makes you think so?" asked
Kelly sg., ls.5,