The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-04-12

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Writing from Wichita to the Kansas
City Star. Fred vandergrift says of The
Real Victor Murdoch"
1t viii be agreeable news to Kansas
men and women everywhere, at home
and abroad, when they hear of the nom
nation of Victor Murdoch for Congress.
No other man in Kansas has so many
friends and none of the new generation
has so many admirers-genuine. unselfish
admirers. 1t sometimes is the Kansas
way to use the superiative carelessly,
but this is one that will stay and pass
unchaIlenged.
In the rivalry for fame and advance
ment among his contemporaries. nimble
and assertive men sometimes of less na-
tive ability have, by seizing the oppor-
tunity, pushed into view ahead of Victor
;Murdock. but he is not man to find
, fault or complain. He knows what sue
cess means, and generously giving the
congratuiatory hand, sturdily pursues
his own way. He never pulls down what
another builds up and the sin of ingrati-
tude never has poisoned his character.
Envy never enters his mind and a lie
is his abomination. He is ambitious be-
yond even his own admissions. but his
provincial successes in his chosen pro-
fession have satisfied him, confident that
a wider field would open TO him sooner
or later, and now the opportunity has
come
Mr.. Murdoch is a genuine man, and,
therefore, companionable and trust
worthy. The world to him is a constant
revelation and will be to the end of his
days, for he is wise enough to know that
what it has taken nature ages to plan
and form cannot be all studied out in
the psalmists span of life. He wants
companions always, and he finds them
wherever he goes. Friend or stranger.
high or low. wherever he goes. he al
ways finds a companion, and daily adds
TO his store of knowledge. He is great
student of men and causes. and he has
his own way of gathering informa ton.
When he goes among the people, as he
has been doing the last sixty days. he
studiously avoids the politicians. They
are the last men to seek, he says.
1T is my observation" Mr.. Murdoch
said to a correspondent of The Star last
night. that the best place to find what
the people are thinking about is the
country drug store. The drug store is
usually the Oldest established business i'll
a town 1t may change owners, but the
business stays and there the men of the
little town and nearby farms are in the
habit of congregating after their work
hours, or on holidays. And they are
bright men. too, plain and homespun ms
a. all xvhn I N
these trips lately, l hid out from the
leaders and found my way to the drug
store Nobody knew me, but that, per-
haps, was all the better. At Medicine
Lodge. for instance found them talking
about the Isthmian canal. When l found
an opening l modestly injected my boom
for Congress. One man had heard OF my
father and introduced me to the crowd.
They all shook hands with me. in the SOL
emn and respectful fashion of rural COM
munities. and then. without ceremony.
returned to the Isthmian canal as if ]
had not come all the way TO Medicine
Lodge to show them my boom. 1t took
my conceit down a peg.
The Subjects Changed.
From the canal they drIfted to Theo-
dore Roosevelt, and so it was from Medi-
cine Lodge to Great Bend; all over. wher-
ever / went the people were talking OF
the stupendous enterprise of the Twcn-
tieth century and of the wholesome man
who has come to the head OF the nation
/ have not lived very long, but l have
been about a bit and seen public men
and never in all my observation. or even
reading, have we had an American so
generally esteemed and respected by the
people as Mr.. Roosevelt. Old line and
radical Democrats will vote against him
and share in the nations pride in him
1t was pleasant to witness the home
coming of Victor Murdoch the day after
the Great Bend convention. 1t was
welcome of the people. of his friends, ana
Democrats were no Less enthusiastic than
Republicans. Thousands were at the sta
ton when the train arrived. 1t backed IN
and Mr.. Murdoch stood modestly on tho
platform. 1t was new experience LOT
the Young man. He who all his news
paper life has been sounding the praises
of other men was now himself hero ana
the subject Of an ovation never beIorc
aoualed in generous enthusiasm or num-
hers IN the town of his abode. First
smiles were in his eyes, then tears, ana
then he was seized by men and borne
upon their shoulders to the sidewalk. Oid
men of his fathers years and school tune
friends OF his own grasped his hands, and
women took him in their arms and Kissed
him. NewSboys and golf caddies shouted
"Hello, Victor" the mills and factories
BOUNDED a noisy welcome, and street ear
bells added TO the din. Finally the
boys" father and mother. his wife and
little daughter and other kindred We're
found in the crowd. and the procession.
led by two bands. and the newsboys.
moved to the Wichita Eagle Office, where
the Young candidate made a speech from
the window.
THE poularaity OF Victor Murdoch in
This town is something remarkable.
said Mr.. Hagny. editor and proprietor of
the Democratic paper today. L have
known him many years. and never
have heard man. woman or child say
an in word Of him. lie is my rival in
business. but ! am very fond or Victor
Murdock. This popularity goes back 10
his school days. He is a product OF The
Wichita $ hoos and to this day. the Oh
companions Of his youth are his warm
friends He is bright man. too.
never have known young man Of more
ability. and he is absolutely honest His
honesty and his genuine character are
his charms.
And so the testimony Of the young
mans worth is heard all over tbs town.
The humber classes are even more kind
in their praise than the business and
r,rnfessinral rnen Victor Mmrrock knows