Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-14
Jerry Simpsons Pass.

From the New York Sun.
Jerry Simpson abandoned his post OF dis
ciplinari8n to Speaker Reed last week and
went West to HIS reservation at Medicine
Lodge. He was intercepted in Kansas City
while getting his ox-blood shoes oiled and
polished at the railway station and pre-
vailed upon to impart his views about Mr..
Reed as a cog in the machinery Of govern
ment. IL regard Tom Reed" said the ex-
mariner, "as the most dangerous man who
has appeared in public life in the history of
this country. 1t has come to that pass that
no legislation can be had in congress with
out his sanction" One can understand the
feelings of Jerry. only half a days ride
from Medicine Lodge, and with nothing 10
show for his district. How can he explain
to the Pops and Democrats who elected him
why he has failed TO secure a public build
ing for Sun City or Painted Post, and why
no appropriation is forthcoming to improve
Medicine Lodge creek? 1t is all very well
to condemn Simpson for his obstructive
tactics in the house, but consider that he
had to do something in the Fifty-hfth con-
gress or retire to private life. as was his
fate in the fall of 1894 after his fame as the
freak statesman Of Barbour county had
dwindled. A man who comes to congress
from the southern tier of Kansas abutting
on Oklahoma must be useful or picturesque
to keep his grip on the district. Jerry has
not been useful to his constituents at this
session, but he has made some stir by dar-
Ing the speaker to do his worst and calling
him q usurper. a tyrant and a dangerous
man. We can see Jerry sitting on the fam
r.ar cracker barrel in the same old general
store in Medicine Lodge and telling the
corner loafers and the chronic kickers how
he had gone so far as to urge his fellow
members to pull Tom Reed out Of the chair
for his ~high-handed behavior and his
threats against the liberties of his country.
We can imagine Jerry repeating to his
constituents what he said in Kansas City:
II shall follow up my tight. Democrats who
have feared TO oppose Reed are coming over
to my assistance, and 1 believe that many
Republicans will throw off the yoke and
| cease to be terrorized. Reed is afraid TO
keen the house in session. We meet once
in three days. and then for only half an
hour. He couldn't stand 1t every day..
The speakers awe of Simpson as a parlia-
| mentary fighter suggests a fine subject for
a picture which should be painted for the
town hall at Medicine Lodge. Il want to
get back soon to look after Reed" said
Jerry to the interviewer. Apropos of Simp-
sons looking after Reed. a unique story Is
told Of how Jerry happened to take a run
home to placate his constituents. It ap-
pears that some of the representatives We're
interested in some little matters, merely
formal authorizations" which had been ap-
proved by the senate but required the gen.
eral consent of the house to be finally dis
posed of, and these representatives. appre-
bending objections from Jerry. wanted to
get him out Of the way. Wouldn't you
| like" said Clerk Mcdowell casually to Jer-
~, ITO take a run home and see the folks
for a little while, since the house has de-
! termined to do nothing? A fellow offered
me a pass the other day. l can't go, but l
can get the pass for you If you would like
it." TIL Medicine Lodge patriot fell an
easy victim. and he was soon speeding to-
ward the p~rairies, turning over in his mind
| some samples OF rhetoric to suit the vii
lainy of Tom Reed. Jerry's account with
his constituents now stands: War on a
dangerous man." Cr.; one pass to Medi-
cine Lodge and return, Dr..