The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-17
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Union Pacific Railroad New
Force in Kansas Politics.
n. H. LOOmis Is Making His
Influence Felt.
CHANGE IN SENTIMENT.
Less Feeling Against the Rail-
roads Than Formerly.
Abilene Men in Race for Rail-
road Commissioner.
SENTIMENT.

new force has appeared in Kansas
politics. 1t is the influence OF N n.
Loomis, general attorney for the Union
Pacific. For many years the Union
Pacific has taken a back seat in Kan
sas politics, and has allowed other rail-
road companies to work for or against
1t as they pleased, but since the ap-
pointment OF Mr.. LOOMS as the head
of the legal department of the road in
Kansas change has taken place.
Railroad influence in Kansas politics
is not on the same plane that it was d
decade or two ago. There was a time
when it was currently charged THAI
railroads were guilty of extreme venal-
ity in exercising political influence, but
that day has passed. Those were the
days when the railroad COMPANIES
themselves were 0lundered by the men
who were hired by the stockholders to
run them. and everything was on the
free and easy plan. But that day is
past. Railroad companies are far more
honest now than they were then. They
are run more on strict business Drin-
ciDles rather than with the idea OF
plundering somebody. And it is no
longer considered dishonest for a rail-
road man to take a hand in political
matters.
That all the railroads want now is a
fair chance and justice is shown by
their sentiment toward ex-Chief Justice
Doster. When they found that he was
absolutely just and was a man Of such
discriminating Judgment that his Opin
/ ions were nearly always models from
/ a legal standpoint, they no longer fear ed
/ him, Notwithstanding their former pref.
/ udlce against him. and they We're even
anxious for him to remain on the bench
/ rather than give way to some one VINO
was uItried.
When Populism arose in Kansas one
of the chief demands of the Popullst
/ party was legislation against the rail-
roads 1t mattered not what it was,
/ just so that the railroads were injured
by it. As a result the railroads stood
together against grafters and cranks
alike But that day, too, is past There
is still a demand for just and equal
freight rates in which there shall be no
| discrimination, but these the railroads
as a rule are willing to give when il
is once proven that their rates are un-
Just.
There is no longer the wild desire to
do uD" the railroads in everv possible
way, so there is no longer any necessity
for the roads to combine for common
protection. Consequently they are now
found lined up on different sides or
various propositions Heretofore the
Rock Island and the Missouri Pacific
have been most prominent in Kansas
politics. with some of the other roads
playing secondary parts, but now the
Union Pacific is coming to the front
also.
The advent of Mr. Loomis as a po-
itical force in Kansas is therefore a
matter Of considerable interest His
road was the first built through the
state and it had much TO do with the
states development It mas great in
terests to be looked after and is there
fore somewhat interested in political
matters
1t is the duty of the legal department
of a railroad to look after these in
terests just the same as merchants, or
grain dealers, or labor unions, or farm
ers look after their respective in
terests And it is no more reprehensi-
bic for a railroad man to be active in
politics than it is for labor leader,
providing he is equally honest.
It is a matter of congra tulation to
Kansas politics that this new force is
a man of character and integrity. NJ.
LOOmis has the confidence and respect
of every element. The part which he
is now taking in the contests is open
and known to everyone interested In
the speakership fight he was openly for
Pringle. He mingled with the legis-
lators freely and had no hesitation in
| expressing his choice It IS the same
way in the senatorial contest. His
first choice for senator is Congressman
Long, but at the same time he is not
opposing Stanley
Mr.. LOOMS is good example of a
self-made man, and he is still quite a
ways from his prime. A few years ago
he was left with a widowed mother to
support. He wanted to teach school,
2 and the story is told of him that he
, had to borrow the dollar with which to
: pay the examination fee. He got a
little money ahead and learned St6nOg-
raphv in his spare hours. At length
1 he entered the law offices of Carver &
{ Bond at Salina as stenographer, do
ing the janitor work of the office to
help along. He studied law during his
spare time. Then he went to the Union
Pacific law department as stenog-
/ rapher. In due time he was admitted
! to the bar He continued to climb and
I was made a junior attorney IN the de-
l partment. Step by step he advanced
{ until at the retirement of A l.. Viii
2 liams as general attorney for the Union
Pacific in Kansas he was appointed to
the vacancy.
A new candidate has appeared for the
Democratic place on the state board Of
l railroad commissioners He is J. T.
Pendergast of Abilene. and he has the
backing of the Democratic congression-
al committee of the Fifth district
A number Of the members of the COM
! mittee had meeting in Topeka Friday
I afternoon to talk the matter over
! Among those a the conference were
w T. Harris, representative from Dick
inson county; Tom Dolan of Wash
ington county; c. A. Hitler of Saline;
Z DR.. c. ". Brandenburg of Marshall;
: B. i. Strother of Dickinson: Andrew
Shearer of Marshall: Senator Harry
Mcmillan of Ottawa; George Culver and
w H. L. Pepperen of Cloud; DR.. J. P
. Stewart of Clay and J. T. Pendergast
: and l. S. Hallam of Dickinson.
! There was danger that three or four
. candidates from the Fifth district would
join in the chase for the place as they
+ have done from some of the other con
Q gressional districts, and It was therefore
: thought TO be more advisable Tor the
I Democratic leaders to get together and
danlfl.- candidate