The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-08-21
INGALLS, INTERESTING HISTORY


issue the death of former Senator In.
gals. Of Kansas.
John James Ingalls, was undoubtedly
one Of the most brilliant public men Of
the country. He was born at Middle
ton, Essex county, Mass. on December
80, 1888, was educated at Williams Col.
lege, graduating in the class Of 1855, at
the age of 20 years. Two years later he
was admitted TO the bar, and soon moved
to Kansas.
He was secretary Of the Territorial
Council in 1860, and when Kansas was
admitted into the Union he was made
secretary Of the State Senate. Mean.
while he had engaged in newspaper
work as editor Of the Atchison Cham
pi0n, and in 1862, as we'll as in 1868, had
been defeated as the anti.Lsne oaudi-
date for Lieutenant Governor Of the
State. He abandoned his active politi.
cal career temporarily in 1864, when he
gave up the editorship Of the Champion,
and for several years thereafter devoted
his attention to the practice Of law. In
1878 he returned TO political life as a
member Of the United States Senate, In
succession to Senator s. o. Pomeroy.
The election Of Mr.. Ingalls, TO the
United States Senate attracted national
attention because Of the sensation at.
tending it. He was an avowed csndi.
date, but the idea Of his being sent to
Washington was everywhere secuted.
But, like oil political bosses. Senator
Pomeroy had made many bitter enemies
during his career. and they now made
strenuous efforts to defeat his re-elec-
tion. He had arrived at the Kansas
capital with a barrel" Of money, and
1t was generally believed that he had
succeeded in bribing large number Of
Legislators. and needed only one or two
more to make his election sure. Among
those who were hostile to PomerOy was
one Mr.. York.
He was approached and pretended that
Pomeroy could have his vote provided q
suitable amount were forthcoming.
Several meetings and interviews we're
held between the two, which. 1t is
said, were overheard by evesdroppers
placed there for that purpose. At last
York stated that he would be satisfied
with $4,000, Of which 81, 900 was placed
In his hand on the day Of agreement
s., 900 on the day following, leaving
81, 600 to be banded over after Pomeroy' g
election was secured.
The Legislature met in joint session
on the day appointed for taking the
ballot York obtained the attention Of
the Speaker, and in the midst Of az i'm.
pressive silence, carrying two bundles
of greenbacks in his hands, he walked
to the Speakers chair. The money he
handed to the Speaker with the 10.
quest that he count Ii. This the Speak.
or did, wonderingly, and announced
the amount at $1,000. Then York com.
menced to tell the story Of how he had
been bribed. AS he proceeded the AS
sembly went wild. Never before had
there been such 8 scene In the balls Of
the Kansas Legislature. and when the
vote was taken not one dared to cast
his ballot for Pomeroy. Ingalls,, who
had only expected TO receive the com.
plimentary vote Of his party was de-
clared elected BY large majority.
1t was not long after his election be-
fore the Senate was made to realize
that In the slight, agile Kansan IL had
gained debater of rare power. He was
a man of broad reading and a wonder
ful vocabulary. II has been compared
to that of Webster and Worcester com.
bined and filtered through Sartor Re-
sartus. He drew his illustrations from
all periods Of the worlds history and
the noted authors Of all time. He could
sway an audience from tears to uncon'
trollable mirth, and most Of all excelled
in his inoisive sarcasm.
He was extraordinarily fond Of orator
cal tIlts on the floor Of the Senate, ant
while he generally confined himself t
good .natured repartee, on occasions Sen
ator Ingalls, could indulge in the mos
singing Characterization Of the act
or theories Of his opponents.
Mr.. Ingalls, retired from the Senate II
1891, the Legislature Of Kansas havinI
elected William A. PETER. Populist Il
succeed him. PETER, up to that time
was almost unknown outside Of his OWL
county, where, it is said, he was edit
ing q rural newspaper at salary Of 81
o week.
Il is interesting to note that York
who was the instrument Of Pomeroy
downfall, shared the fate Of his victim
He could never induce the people tha
his deal was trick. They rather In
cllned 30 the belief that York was
earnest at first and afterward repented
Anyway. he soon dropped into oblivio
with many hard things said laid up
his record.
Board Of Fisheries
The State Board Of Fisheries met lai
Il. aAl..ss~ uokol Noelofk