The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-08-26

with the beginning. The writer hap
pened, when he was secretary of the last
territorial council in 1880 and of the
state senate in 1861, to be associated with
him as assistant secretary, and learned
a good deal of him at that early day. In
gals was then the smartest man as pre-
siding officer and secretary We ever
knew. His habits were most correct.
Among all the young men who foeked
around the legislative city he was never
seen loafing, drinking. or billiard or
card playing. In the evening, when many
young men were wasting their time he
was in his room poring over some book
or writing. Not that he felt above as
sociating with those he was thrown with,
but he could not afford to waste his
time. ingalls, grew and soon took his
place as a leader. He became legisla-
tive correspondent Of the LeavenWorth
Conservative, a new paper started by
Colonel D. R. Anthony. and in his con-
trfbutions he first became known for that
wonderful gift of sarcasm that was the
characteristic of all his speeches and
writings. For some years, during the
war, he edited the Atchison Champion
and attended to his duties as lawyer
mixing little in politics or public affairs
But the eminence he obtained as a pub
lie speaker and as a writer show that
he was not idle. Except short session
in the state senate and as a member Of
the constitutional convention, he held no
office until an accident in politics sudden
~ threw him to the front for United
States senator. He was elected without
= ri nd
was soon recognized in many respects as
a leader
Jacob Admire has in his possession
rare letter. He tells about 1t in his pa
per- saying: The death of Senator John
J. ingalls, has naturally set his old friends
and acquaintance to thinking of the
past He was undoubtedly one of the
most unique characters that this country
has produced. It was the fortune of the
editor of the Free Press to become per-
sonally acquainted with him many years
ago, and for the greater part Of the time
since our relations have been of friend
" character Since he has been out Of
public life. we have met him seldom, and
heard from him directly only occasional
". In looking over old letters the other
evening. among others, we came across
one dated February A. 1895, and post
marked Galveston. Texas. The provo
cation of this letter seems to have been
an editorial printed in the Kingfsher
Free Press January "a, 1895. How the
senator happened to run across the ar
ticle we do not know, but as both it
and his letter are now Of public interest
they are reproduced The editorial is as
follows:
1.-THE Kansas senatorial election set
tied some things pretty effectually. One
Of the things which it settled is that ex-
Senator ingalls, has lost HIS grip on his
"old seat" Atchison and Leavenworth
are side by side, and both on the eastern
Missouri river border of the state. An
other thing which ii settles is that of
all the open avowed candidates who went
down in defeat, Burton is the only one
who win survive. Hoods candidacy was,
to a great extent, sentiment, based
upon the memories of the late Senator
Plumb, in the absence Of which it would
probably have never been heard Of.
Hood. himself, was very reluctant to en-
ter the race, as Office seeking and office
I.eland's candidacy was illogical and
wholly absurd from start to finish. 1t
grew out of the mere fact that he was
at the head of the party organization
last year when it's success was due to
the irresistible revolt of the people against
Populist maladministration, rather than
the management Of any committee. Mr..
Leland an IA few friends concluded that
they could make the people believe that
the revolution was the result of his own
silent, mastery generalship, and crown
him with the United States senatorship
as a grateful recognition of his services.
It did not work and Mr.. Leland will
never be thought Of for that high Office
again. Ady's candidacy was as cold and
lifeless as If it had emanated from the
north pole, without vitality enough to
keep it from freezing at any stage of The
game, and, only for a little local pride
which famed its dying embers, there
would not have been enough of 1t to
locate the gloom in which it was shroud-
ed Thatcher's candidacy was only the
periodical temperance Of a reminis-
cence, and disappeared as ii has many
times before. A. w Smiths candidacy
was mirage. hardly that and deceived
only one person in the wide world. Bur-
ton was really the only candidate fho
inspired his friends with enthusiasm,
earnestness and zeal and provoked the
bitter and desperate hostility of enemies
and rivals. Other men, Governor Morrill,,
Judge Horton and ex-senator ingalls,,
who were talked Of as possibilities, would
have made strong candidates. had they
actively entered the race. ingalls, could
have been elected: Morrill,, If he had Civ
en- his consent. even al the last moment,
might have been elected. The election OF
Baker was a spasm. Burton is the only
live man left He is young, able cour-
ageous ambitious, picturesque and dar-
ing. He will grow steadily in the esti-
nation Of the people If he profits by the
wounds and bruises Of the fight through
which ne has Just passed His friends,
nearly sufficient to secure his election.
feel his defeat as keenly as he does 1t
was their defeat as well as his. These
| features make Burton strong Baker :
election was another lucky thing for
Burton. As before said, it removes in
gals, and puts western Kansas on her
mettIe. Burton's defeat was victory"
| And the following is an exact copy of
/ his letter:
Galveston, Texas, Feb. I, 1895.
Dear Adrnire-Don't be too certain about
the removal OF ingalls," Politics is not
| an exact science and It is much easier
I to p-ophesy after the event People
don't care much about the map. and geo
GRANNY has never been an important
! cement N our affairs except before cleo
/ ton. Pomeroy's location in Atchison did
not nrevent TIRE election OF Caldwell
from Ieavenworta. nor CaIdwells loea-
ton at I.eaverworth prevent my cleo
| .yo- fror, A+ehison and PETER and Mar