Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-31
HIS FIRST 6puBLic OFFICE.
David E. Thompson, THE New Minister
to Brazil Here.


Mr.. David E. Thompson of Nebraska. the
new minister to Brain, US in the city. con
ferring with the State Department officials
relative to his new duties. With Senators
Dietrich and Willard Of Nebraska and Mr.
Elmer Stevenson internal revenue collector
for that state. Mr.. Thompson this morning
called on President Roosevelt. He will leave
Washington tomorrew for New York
where he will be joinedfby his wife, and to-
gether they will sail for Rio Janeiro Feb
ruarv
The new minister was at the Capitol to-
day shaking hands with large number of
senators and representatives to whom he
mas been well known as. a factor in the pol
1t1cs or his home state for nearly twenty
years Only in the last eight years has he
been prominently under the glare Of the
public limelight. and the position Of minis
ter to Brazil Is the first public office he has
haps the greatest individual force in the
politics OF Nebraska, not excepting Mr..
Bryan. OF the opposite political faith. Mr..
thompson is not the oratorical politician,
or speech. But he has faculty for organ
ization, shown in his business methods,
which has served him with unusual success.
IN 1act, MS organization has been the pat
tern 1or that OF the republican party in sew
eral states. He will be remembered for his
strenuous contest for election as senator
OF Nebraska on two different occasions-one
-FOUR years ago and the other two years
ago. -FOUR years ago he secured enough
votes but one to elect him to the United
states Senate, and two years ago he was
supported by large majority of the repub-
mean members or both branches Of the state
legislature from January Is until March
~. For several days near the close of the
session he was within five votes of election
Inere was fear of a deadlock in the legis-
iature tnat would result in Nebraska being
%ok
Tor there were two vacancies to be filed
one caused by the death Of Judge HAYWARD
ana the other by the retirement of Senator
Thurston.
The outcome Of the struggle was in doubt
up to the last day appointed for the cleo
l!on OF senators, when, rather than see
NEBRASKA without her full quota of repub-
ncan congressman, Mr.. Thompson agreed
Dietrich, who was then governor Of the
state, and Mr.. Willard were elected to the
vacant positions. 1t was conceded, how
ever, that the defeated candidate held the
balance of power.
Mr.. Thompson has been busily occupied
with many business duties. but these have
not drlven from his thoughts concern for
otners, and he is well known by the people
OF the central west as man given to prac-
ucal philanthropy. Every summer for five
or SIX years past the tired mothers Of Lin
com and their little ones have enjoyed a
oays outing at some pleasant resort at Mr..
thompson, s expense. The newsboys and poor
urchins of that city are also given picnics
every summer through the generosity of the
new diplomat. In projects for public bene-
Mt ne has always been liberal contributor
and many discouraged man has received
material assistance after an interview with
this director Of many lines of business. He
Is possessed OF genial disposition COM
bined with frankness, which makes him
many personal friends, to whom his low
atty Is unswerving
Mr.. Thompson was married in Chicago
ABOUT eleven years ago. Mrs. Thompson is
very popular In the society of Lincoln and
Omaha, and Is we'll known in Chicago and
denver She takes but little interest IN
politics. For the last few years the new
minister and his wife have spent consider
aole ume IN Mexico where they have
beautiful home on their large plantation