The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-15
SOUNDS LIKE 4 JOKE.
Story That Wares Confirmation
is to Be Opposed.

A number OF eastern papers are pub
fishing dispatches under a Washington |
date line stating that an attempt may
be made to defeat the confirmation of
E. F Ware for commissioner of pen
sions, because OF his religious views, or
rather, his lack of them.
The New York World heads it's dis |
patch on the subject, May Oppose
Ware as a Religious
Views it is Possible, May Endanger
Confirmation by the Senate" The dis
patch quotes a number of Mr. Wares
poems to show his agnostic tendencies.
1t also told how Ware was once defeat
ed for congress by a preacher because
of his agnostic writings.
The st. Louis Republic also has
Washington special which it heads,
May Fight Ware on Question of Greed
Story Goes that Evans Successor
Stands Without the Pale in Matters Re-
ligious''
Mr.. Ware burst into hearty laugh
when he was shown these dispatches
what nonsense that isi'' was his
only comment.
who was the preacher who opposed
you for eongress2" Mr. Ware was
asked.
His name was McDermond. He lived
somewhere down in the Second district
1 had almost forgotten about it. He
used to come up and slap me on the
shoulder and say, You have written too
much infidel poetry Those things are
mighty funny" and Mr.. Ware went
into another roar of laughter.
The dispatch published in the st.
Louis Republic is as follows:
There is strong likelihood that the
confirmation Of Eugene T. Wares NOM
nation for the pension commissioner
ship VIII be opposed on religious
grounds, because he has the reputation
of standing outside of the conventional
pale in such matters.
IA q nj Hon, &c a
upon any distinct utterances of his and
how much upon differences from his So
called literary work, is not known here
The story goes that Mr.. Ware was
a candidate for the congressional noIni-
nation in the Second Kansas district
against Z. H. Funston father Of the
military elocutionist, and had almost
delegates enough to the district conven-
ton TO carry him through, but was de-
feated by the opposition of a clergy
man named McDermond, who headed
delegation that happened to hold the
balance of power. When McDermond
was questioned as to the reasons for his
objections to Ware, he is said to have
pointed to a stanza in one of his poems,
in which he said
For I don't believe a thing
OF the miracles of old.
OF the miracles of old.
This stamped hin in the clergyman's
mind. as an infdel. and the delegation,
which might have won the day for
Ware, turned the tide against him. Had
he been nominated he would doubtless
have been elected. and this would have
paved him way TO the senate, for which
many of his friends had marked him.
II Funston had been defeated, more
over, he probably would never have sat
with Mr. Mckinley in the house, and
his son might have escaped preferment
in the army"
Another Washington dispatch says:
Reports were in circulation today that
charges have been preferred against
Eugene F. Ware and filed with the
president, but no confirmation of the
report could be obtained at the White
House. In fact, such a report was spec
ifleally denied on Saturday. 1t is claim
ed, however, that charges are on the
way here. Their nature is not known.
Report has it that they affect Mr.. Wares
Christianity. He is said to be an az
nostic. 1t is understood that his enc
mics in Kansas have also forwarded
some samples of Ironquif poetry. Mr.
Wares friends here profess to feel no
uneasiness over the charges of agnostic-
ism, but it is plainly evident that they
are nervous over the prospective receipt
of the poetry
Mr. Scott, his personal friend who
with Representative Calderhead, went
to the White House after Mr.. Wares
name was decided upon for pension
commissioner to thank the president
said to the Journal correspondent that
he had no knowledge of any charges
being fled against Mr.. Ware
1T is now thought that H. Clay
Evans viii be sent to Cuba as the
American minister The fact that the
president has not yet sent Mr.. Wares
name to the senate is regarded as in
dicating the intention to withhold it I'M
til Mr. Evans has been confirmed, so
as to forestal1 any adverse action in
the senate. 1t is believed, however,
that Mr.. Evans is sure of eonfirmati
as there is no intention Of making a
martyr of him.
1T is understood that before Ware
was appointed the president had heard
it intimated that Ware wrote poetry.
Somewhat alarmed over this damaging
rumor, the president is reported to
have taken Ware into his confidential
chamber and there and then did ask
him the question fat
To this Mr. Ware replied that no
man could prove it. His name appeared
to no poetry or anything intended as
such. And if he was poet he was
not a professional for verify he had
received no money for it. However, his
sympathy was world wide, but with
this burden he could economically CON
duct the pension office
The explanation seems to have been
sufficient, and charges that Ware has
written poetry or that he is capable of
doing SO, win have to take new turn,
as believed, before the president viii
regret the nomination"
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