New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-05

4 NUMBER OF MEN WHO DID NOT EXPECT 1T WERE
ELECTED TO CONGRESS- LAST MONTH";
IFrom THE TRIBUNE BuREAu.l

iFfoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAUl
washington. Dec. 4-Floating into congress
on the crest of the great Roosevelt tidal wave
which ruthlessly swept away go many familiar
Democratic landmarks. Republicans who
have literally had greatness thrust upon them
Accepting nominations that seemed at best only
a forlorn hope and the advance guard of defeat,
their election was as unexpected and gratifying
10 them as 1t was surprising to their opponents
AS many of these new members were returned
from normally Democratic districts. Their brief
career national legislators may III some in
stances terminate with the 59th Congress.
OF the 1856 members composing the next House,
30 will be new TO the halls of Congress, never
having previous service, while the old mem
bers returned number 800 or 10 per of the
total membership. Concerning a large proper
ton of the 90 new members, many interesting
stories are in circulation. Some bear on the
personality of the new born statesmen and 9TH
ers touch on amusing phases of the canvassing
. for their seats
! From out of Missouri. with a respectable ma
jority behind him. comes a Republican Repre-
sentative who. at first. declined the nomination
! because he hadn't show earth for election.
He a struggling lawyer and accepted the
nomination only when the Republican committee
! offered TO pay the expenses Of his campaign and
TO allow him 500 a month for the three months
he candidate. For obvious reasons his
name is withheld. but he never made a speech or
I personally assisted in the campaign. When the
votes were counted, however a Democratic war
horse had been sent to the stable and the proVi-
| dent. but retiring young attorney was MEM
! ber-eect of the next House.
Another new Republican Representative from
| Missouri will be one of the biggest men. physi-
! cally in the House. His name is Frank b.
| Keeper He is six feet four inches tall and
/ 400 riadt he
| by $50 votes and, in overcoming normal Demo
! cratic plurality of $500 furnished of the
| many surprises brought about by the landslide
| of November s.
| Five years ago Mr. Klepper was practically
! unknown political factor outside of his own
! county. Mr.. Keeper is said to be personal
| friend of President Roosevelt. and his friends
predict for him great career in national AFFAIRS.
! Mr. Keepers appearance In the House is pre-
coded by this story, which his advance agent
appears to have been industriously circulating:
| BY chance Mr.. Keeper was hunting lions IN
! the wilds of Colorado at the time President
! Roosevelt was seeking big game in the canyons
! of that State The President, of course, did not
know Mr. Keeper, but Mr.. Klepper did know
! Mr. Roosevelt 1t happened that the party head
| ed by the President met the party of which Mr..
! Klepper was a member. President ROosevelts
| eyes lighted up when thev gazed on the mag
nificent physique of the strapping Keeper
You are from Colorado" inquired the Presi-
| dent
NO" was the proud answer. Il am from
! Missouri. and my name is Keeper"
Then. of course, you are Democrat VOL
unteered the President.
/ Not in a thousand years" was the emphatic
renIv Il am one of those fellows who are going
/ TO redeem Missouri and throw her vote into the
/ Republican column" There was an assurance
in the tone that pleased the President. and II
was in this way according to the story that
! the President and the stawart Missourian be
! came friends.
out in Missouri Il insisted that a good
| school teacher has been spoiled by electing W. l.
! Tindall TO Congress from the l4th District
! This Republican member-elect taught school at
| Sparta and, when informed of his nomination
refrained from accepting or declining the
| honor as il would require outlay of two
! cents for postage, and he did not think that
il was worth while, defeat appeared newt
| able But Mr.. Tindas name went on the ticket
! and allowing this all that he did toward
/ his election. The campaign drifted along the
! other fellow doing all the speaking and hard
| political work, but when the votes were counted
| il was found that the school teacher had over
come a normal Democratic majority of aoVo
and tina: he would represent the district in
{
it as an unmixed blessing. but as his new
| lob will pay him about $500 more than his
old one he is disposed to accept the responsi-
biIIty gracefully. and promises TO do the best
| he can for his constituents
| f. E. Ellis. of Kansas City. has the distinction
| Of having beaten Representative Cowherd,
! Chairman OF the Democratic Congressional Com
mittee and his election one of the many
| surprises furnished by that supposedly rock
| ribbed Democratic State. Cowherds defeat was
never for moment regarded possible, and
his loss to the House Will be generally regretted
for his service has demonstrated that he is a
! progressive, capable and active member and
valuable assistant to the minority leader.
Frank L. Dickson, who elected from
the 23d District of Illinois. will divide honors'
with Thomas W. Harwick. of Georgia, who
has hitherto been regarded the lightest