Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-04
NOW IT'S UP TO Mr.. GREGORY
VISIT IS 4 MATTER OF GREAT 70
LITlCAL PORTENT.
Governor Says He Comes to Hear OPP
cra. hut COmmOtion In Political
Circles Ii Grcat-Wiil Conn
missioner Gregory BE
"Swcated":

His cxcelency. Lon V. Stephens. the
governor of the state of Missouri. arrived
II. the city last night He came with Mrs.
Stephens and the Misses Gordon. McHenry
and Birch. 1t is stated that the party
came to Kansas City to attend the grand
opera production at the Auditorium to-
night but the politicians insist that the
visit OF the governor at this time has some
political significance. These rumors re-
suit. no doubt from the present political
situation in regard to the reappointment
OF Mr.. Gregory as one of the police COM
missioners. 1t was announced some weeks
ago that Mr.. Gregory would be appointed.
but the governor for some reason has re-
fused to send in his name for confirma-
ton. An announcement was made at JEFF
ferson City about two weeks ago stating
that on account of the objections which
had been made to the nomination of Mr..
Gregory. the governor had decided to make
visit to this city for the purpose of in
vestigating the situation in person. For
some unexplained reason the visit Of the
chief executive was postponed. and it was
supposed that the visit had been given up.
When the report was circulated in political
circles yesterday afternoon that the gov
ernor would arrive on the evening train.
there were ell kinds of surmises regard
ing the purpose OF the sudden trip. The
local politicians are wondering what could
bring the governor here at this time. and
the only solution OF the question seems
to be that he came here to fulfill his orig
iEal purpose and to Investigate the charges
which have been made against Mr.. Gregory.
1t is well known fact that the COVER
nor does not like to be interviewed when
he makes these so-calied social visits. He
did not care 10 meet the representatives
of the press last night and did not hes,-
tate to express his opinions I'm regard to
allowing himself to he interviewed. Sew
eral newspaper men waited until 10 o'clock
TO see Mr.. Stenhens at the Midland last
night. but 1t was stated that the governor
had gone to the theater. He came in the
lobby at about 10 o'clock and made a fran
tic attempt to reach the elevator before
the mel reached him. He was unsuccess-
fui. however. but before the newspaper
men could ask him u question the chief
executive Of th. state airiy rlotioned them
away And said:
No ! haven't anything 10 say. Ny visit
has nothing TO do with politics 1t is purely
social one. Before any more questions
'ouhl pt dShtu. Tie EONbTHDf nau turned
his back abruptly and was behind the iron
doors of the elevator.
A representative of The Journal sent up
his card to Mr.. Stephens about five minutes
after the elevator had carried his excel
lency upward and this answer was re-
ceived:
The governor is not in
The reporter waited about ten minutes
and sent up Il card for the second time
and was told that the governor was asleep
on a sofa.
4 few minutes afterward Mr. Arthur
Nelson. who is a nephew of Mrs. Stephens.
came down into the lobby and said to the
reporter that the governor had been at the
theater aud was so fatGued that he could
not see any newspaper men.
"A table in his room Is covered with
cards." said Mr.. Nelson. but the governor
has refused to see anyone as he Is slightly
fndisposed l am quite certain that his
visit has no political Significance. He
doesn't care anything about what the Kan
sas City papers say He wants the country
papers.