The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-03
is FILL 0F EVENTS
Queer Story of the Jim Lane
Political Succession.
HAD TEN IN ITS LINE
Pomeroy Succession Was One
Lacking in Events.

| Especial Correspondence OF The Eaglel
Topeka, Kan, August 2.-Since Senator
Burton began to oppose the administra-
ton doctrine of reciprocity with Cuba,
and. for various reasons. his relations
ceased to be wholly pleasant and smooth
with the Roosevelt administration, it has
occurred TO thoughtful persons that
whether the fact has anything to do with
the matter or not, Mr.. Burton belongs to
the fateful Lane succession of United
States senator's from Kansas.
James II. Lane, former representative
in congress from Indiana, lieutenant gov
ernor of that state, officer of the Mexi-
can war, Kansas early day leader. was
elected by the first legislature for the
short term in the United States senate
taking his seat March 4, 1861. Those
were turbulent days in Washington. Lane
and Cassius NJ Clay of Kentucky or
ganized troops among sojourners and the
clerks and officials in Washington, whose
purpose it was TO defend the White
House and President Lincoln. Lane made
fiery speeches in the senate. Always a
warrior. he did not cease his calling
islative halls and the nations capital.
He got cut with Lincoln, later. and with
the entire administration. He leaned
somewhat toward the Johnson adminis-
tration. The people of Kansas would
not stand for that. He said he would go
home, have q big meeting. explain his
views, and sweep the people OF Kansas
into line with himself. He came home in
the summer of 1865, everywhere was met
with chilly receptions, and. crazed and
disappointed at the outcome. the warrior
senator, in July. 1866. near Leavenworth,
put a bullet through his head which
caused his death.
Edmund G. Ross was elected to fill out
the unexpired term of Lane. Profiting
little by Lanes experience. Ross early
allied himself with the Johnson admin
istration when he got to Washington.
His vote in the senate saved Johnson
from impeachment. He was dead polit-
ically in Kansas, whether right or wrong,
and in 1871 was defeated for reelection.
He went to New Mexico. became terrific
torial governor under Cleveland, when
he had turned Democrat. and is now,
bent with years and crushed with disap-
pointment, and the sad decree of fate,
living his last days almost in penury and
want
In 1871 Ross was defeated by Alexander
Caldwell, a wealthy merchant and manu-
facturer of Leavenworth, who had an
ambition to become senator. There were
some unpleasant things said in connec-
ton with the manner in which Caldwell
got the office, and he soon resigned.
1t was a few months before the Iegisla-
ture Of 1873 met that Caldwell resigned
and District Judge Robert Crozfer of
Leavenworth was appointed by Govern4e
James NJ. Harvey to succeed to the va
caney. Crozier only held a few months.
until the regular session Of the legisla-
ture. when Governor Harvey became
candidate and was elected to the unex-
pired term.
In 1877, when the vacant term had ex-
pired, Harvey was again a candidate.
In one of the Longest drawn out senato-
rial elections in the history of Kansas.
Harvey's men finally went to Preston B.
Plumb of Enlporia. who had been speaker
of the house CT representatives, in the
legislature, and Plumb wes elected sena-
tor.
The frequent changes In this line of SEN
atorial succession were broken by Mr..
Plumbs election, but still there was the
fateful feature. for, after fourteen years
service, there came. in the early winter
of 1891. the tragic death of the Emporia
senator in Washington.
Governor Lyman q. Humphrey wanted
to appoint George r. Peck, general at
toruev for fbe Santa Fa road TO I'll the
vacancy occasioned by Plumbs death.
But Peck would have none of it. This
was in the early stormy days of Popu-
lism. Peck was engaged in serving his
road and his political party and his state
and really wanted the senatorship. but
refused the honor.
Bishop w Perkins, who had served for
eight years in the lower house in con-
gress from Kansas. and who went down
beneath the Populist wave the year prior,
was finally appointed by Governor Hum
years, and was succeeded by another on
March 4. 1898. Perkins soon after died in
Washington.
The legislature Of 1898 was Populist-
both houses, 1t was the year OF the war.
"Somethin' was dom" ali the time It
was the year Of the rump house and the
first populist government on earth
John Martin, Democrat, was elected sena-
tor because a few Democrats held the
Of power. But Martins senator
ial life was short He only held two
years.
In 1895 the legislature had become Re