Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-03-09
A. J. Harlan ON Ex-eov. Meclurs-

the history of Missouri.
Governor McCluFg, who had been
called by a great Republican conven-
ton to quit his place in Congress,
when he was serving his third term,
to become the Republican candidate
for Governor. was elected to the Office
in 1868, succeeding Governor Fletcher.
The old constitution was then in
force, under which more than 100, 600
Democrats were dis
franchised- The gubernatorial term
was then two years. When, in 1870,
the State Republican campaign was
opened the governor was the leader of
the straight or ultra Republican ele-
radicals" as they were
called. Among the leaders who sup
ported him were A. ). Harlan, of An
drew county, who for three years had
been the speaker of the Missouri
House of Representatives. These
leaders controlled the state conpen-
tion, Which meet in Jefferson City,
and secured the nomination of Cover
nor McClurg for a second term, select
ing Mr.. Harlan as the candidate for
nent and influential leader survives
Governor McClurg. and is living at
the county seat of Andrew
county. Though 85 years old he is
still hale and hearty and active in
politics of his county. Few men fig-
ured more conspicuously in Missouri
politics during the period covered by
the war and the Drake constitution
than did A. J. Harlan. He had been
a member of Congress from Indiana
for three consecutive terms, before
coming to Missouri. He is now the
only surviving member of the Thirty
first Congress-, which convened i'm De-
cember. 1919. He was Democrat,
but voted against the Nebraska bill,
in that Congress, because it repealed
the Missouri compromise act. When
he asked for denomination in Indiana
the Democratic convention passed IA
resolution reading him out of the
Democratic party because of that
vote. He located in the territory of
Dakota, where he became speaker of
the legislature, but in 1862, lie was
driven away by the Indian uprising,
and settled in Missouri. WiJlin Is
months he was elected to the Missouri
legislature and was reelected three
times, becoming speaker of the house
at he beginning of the second term,
which position lie held till he was
nominated for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on
the ticket with Governor McClurg. In
his quiet home at Savannah he read
the news of Governor McClure's death,
and with evident emotion. he said to
the writer:
tMcCiurg was a remarkable man
Il straightforward, honest, resolute
man. / knew him well. He could
not talk we'll; didn't go about much in
his campaigns. had but little to say
about himself, but was always ready
for and every duty. L remember well
the convention which nominated him
for second term. 1t was held at
jefferson City. Other friends of the
Governor, as myself, had known for
months that the liberal Republicans
as they were called, were planning to
get control of the party from the dis
rUptiOn that was threatened by tile
popular demand for the enfrancliise-
ment of the ex-Confederates. We felt
that the people should settle that
question. and not the politicians. 1
had been told by leader of the Dem
ocrats that certain liberal Republi-
cans would bolt the convention and
name state ticket. which would be
supported by the Democrats. heard
no objection to Governor McClurg
from any source. The convention was
organized and had nominated Mcclure
for governor and myself for lieuten-
ant-governor when a resolution was
introduced that opened up the way
for a bolt. Certain members of the
convention adopted the liberal Re-
publican platform, nominated b.
Gratz Brown for governor and select
ed state committee Our convention
finished its work and adjourded. It
soon became apparent that the Dem
ocratic vote would go to Brown and
the radical Republicans lost hope
Governor McCIurg did not complain.
and when he learned that Brown had
carried the state by 1900 majority
he took his defeat quietly and was
seemingly glad to return to private
life. That was the end Of the rule of
the Republican party in this state.
for Brown was soon succeeded by
Woodsons Of ST. Joseph. elected on the
so-calied Liberal Democratic ticket,
for the Liberal Republican" move
-