The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-28
WHAT OF BRISTOW?
Some Gossip of His Future
Political Career.
MAY RETURN TO KANSAS
Faxon Tells of His Chances
for u. S. SenatorShip.

Especial Correspondence Of the Eagle)
Washington. Feb. 1.-THE question has
been asked a good deal of late. in Kansas,
''What Of Bristow?"
Much anxiety has been felt. apparently
rs to the political future Of this Kansan
who has honored and run down the
grafters in the postoffice department. Of
which he is an important official.
Only the other day. an anti-macfine
organ in the state printed piece. under
a Washington date line to the effect
that Mr.. Bristow. as fourth assistant
postmaster general, was prosecuting"
Senator Burton; that he was furnishing
ali the evidence TO be used in the coming
St. Louis trial against the senior Kan
sas senator; and that he Bristow, was
doing this that he might succeed Burton
as senator.
As fourth assistant postmaster-seneral
Mr. Bristow is in charge of course, of
the inspection division Of his bureau, and
the army Of trained and skilled young
men who scent out and run down CRAFTS.
is under his direct supervision. Further
connection Of Mr. Bristow with the COM
ing trial Of Senator Burton cannot be
made. He has not set his detective upon
the trail of the Kansas senator. What
ever may have led up TO the latters
present position came almost exclusively
through the district attorneys office in
st. Louis. \ postonice inspector or two
was called on to testify before the grand
jury in that city as 10 the facts con-
nected with the exclusion of the Rialto
company from the use of the mails. but
this was all. Mr.. Bristow has been too
busy with cleaning the department here
at Washington to ..persecUte' anyone.
He has been unearthing fraud here and
elsewhere in connection with his depart
ment; putting it in better shape than 1t
ever was before; running down the
charges against Machen. etc. He has not
been in the persecution" business al all.
And here latterly. he has been trying to
regain his health. which has been greatly
shattered by the excessive work he has
done the past year. In this he has about
succeeded.
But independent Of this anti-machine
story about Bristow relentlessly pursuing
Mr.. Burton that he might profit thereby.
and himself sit in the United States sen
ate. there has been a good deal Of proper
ana legitimate curiosity about what this
Kansas fourth assistant postmaster-gen-
eral intends to do. So a little gossip. en-
tirely unofficial, OF course. may not be
smiss:
Joseph l.. Bristow who had made an
excellent secretary To the Republican state
committee of Kansas for few years;
who was editor of small town daily: who
had served four years as clerk of the
court in Douglas county. and later as
secretary to Governor Morrill, for two
years was appointed by President Nc
Kinley to he fourth assistant postmaster
general in 1897 He has since continued in
that position. and when Theodore Roose-
Welt is inaugurated president in March,
1905. Bristow viii have completed eight
years in his present position something
almost unparalleled in the history Of the
postoflice department But more inn
portant fact is that ne has given a bureau
of a great department, which hitherto
was supposed to be merely an appointive
beaureau, a great name. and tons and
dignity. Because of his indefatigahle
work, and his splendid executive ability,
he has come to be as well known as the
head of any department in Washington
and more important than some of them,
despite the fact that he is, nomnalIy,
only bureau chief.
So eight years will have been rounded
out for Brstow as fourth assistant post
master-eeneral. And what then?
II is fair to promise that Mr.. Bristow
could. if he desired, remain as four as
sistaut under the second Roosevelt ad-
ministration. But it is equally fair 10 pre-
sumo that Mr.. Bristow. while approciat-
ing the office he has held. and the honors
that have come to him. from the very
latter fact itself may desire to step
little higher Fate. like lightning. rarely
strikes in the same place twice. While
the position of fourth assistant post
master-ceneral has shown the country the
stuff Bristow has in him. and has made
his name familiar throughout the country;
and while great things have come 10 his
Office il is by no means certains that II
will continue to hold the public gaze and
he really worth seeking for by men Of
Bristow's worth So he may feel Ike
looking elsewhere for honor. if he still
desires the public service. and he IN
doubtedly does.
c. Payne IF Wisconsin. shrewd political
leader and campaign director, head Of the
Republican national committee s3nce the
death of Senator Hanna. IS now post
master general. He entered the cabinet
something over a year ago. at the earnest
solicitation OF President Roosevelt There
was a time when ilI-health made it pos
sible for the early resignation Of Mr..
Payne Eut shat is now done away with
and the chances are Mr.. Payne VIII con-
tinue al the head Of the postoffice de
partment II he had resigned, or had
he sisni6ed h's intention only 20 remain
l,a;l Mr Roosevelt was inauEurated one
year hence. il Is almost probable that
Mr. Eristow would have been postmaster
general in his stead But-tha; chance
has passed. aud through no fault OF Mr
Bristow. Of Mr. Roosevelt or anyone
else
United States senator from Kansas?
There j. probably 40 use TN Nj Rristow
or anyone else denying that he would
like 70 be senator. II Is a distinguish
ed position. and an honor 10 any man
selected for Il Eut il IS by no means
certain that the political situation in Kan
sas will permit Of Mr.. Bristow being SEN
ator for some years to come. at least
As to his appointment TO succeed Mr.
Burton if the latter's seat should be va
Gated. that Is merely rs the blowing Of
the wind. IN the first place. the appoint
rnent. if there should be one. would only
carry until January. 1856. Then the legis-
lature would be in session. and would Sc