The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-05
AN ATCHISON MAN
An Interesting Sketch of Bale
Waggener, Lawyer.
An Active, Industrious, Able,
Useful Citizen.
WHO Is ALWAYS ALERT
A Democrat Respected an d Hon.
ored by Republicans.
Attorney in Chief for State
Journal in Libel Suits.
WHO ALWAYS ALERT

The following sketch of Bale Wag-
gener, of Atchison, is written by the
editor of the Globe. Mr.. Waggener
has maintained a law Office in Topeka
for many years, and is the chief
counsel for this paper in the $4,000
libel suit brought against the State
Journal by the three state school COM
rnissioners. Our readers may learn
acre what the sort of 4 man he is"
which is the heading of the Globe
article:
Globe: What sort of a man is this
Bale Waggener. who is running for
state senator ?"
One of the charges most frequently
made against Bale Waggener is that
he is a boss a dictator; that he
rides rough shod over people, in order
that he may have his way L do not
believe the statement is true, and
have known him very well for twenty
seven years. There is not a man in
Atchison more easily Influenced than
Waggener. His son bosses him; his
brother-in-law. Cliff Hetherington,
who is cashier of the bank of which
Waggener is president, bosses him. His
wife bosses him; his grandchildren
boss him. 1 was at his house one ev-
ening when he was taking care of his
three grandchildren. His wife and his
son, and his sons wife, had gone to
the Worlds fair. and the three chill
dren had been dumped on the grand
father. The children had row as to
which one should sleep with him They
finally settled it by deciding that they
would all sleep with him; and he went
to bed with them, although he climbed
out, after they were asleep, and went
to another bed.
Although the Globe is accused of
being Influenced too much by Wag-
gener. it will agree to deliver him to
decent nFnnOSiTiOn
with him has been that he is always
tractable; particularly in matter that
concerns the public interest. Two
years ago, when he ran for the leg
islature. he didn't impudentiy an
nounce that he intended to run, and
that people must support him. He
was cOaXed to make the race, and
many of his friends advised him
against it. I did, for one. And when
he carried the district against a strong
Republican. he did it because of his
good points as a citizen; not because
he swung a club, and made people
vote for him. He is the poorest poliz
uclan in the state, and has no other
power than his wide acquaintance, and
the fact that people like him.
People "pick" at waggener. but the
fact remains that they like him. And
he deserves this popularity. I defy
anyone to point out a public enter
prise that he has not helped He has
no one has, because the town has
mighty rivals in Kansas City st. Joe
and Topeka, but he is always trying
to help Atchison. No one will dispute
door to me for years. He used to
come over to my house, and We would
occasionally pick at Waggener. But
we would end up by laughing at our
selves, and admitting that he was a
good fellow, and always ready to do
his share.
A man of tremendous activity. he is
into everything. If he gets a fool no
ton in his head. as all men do occa-
he can easily be coaxed out
Of it. He is at all times reasonable. |
and less of boss than any other
strong man know I pass his house
every morning, on my way to work |
am a pretty early bird my
the grass, or watching for |
neighbors to talk with about help
ing the town" He has a long distance |
telephone in his house, and his tele- |
phone Dill must be large. for he is al
ways quoting some one he has talked |
with by long distance wire If there |
IS piece of important Atchison news, |
he always knows it first.
waggener was elected to the legis-
lature two years ago because of his |
popularity and usefulness as a citizen: !
because of his unusual ability, and not /
OSC1OSC liz - a OCSS OL d
There are no Democratic victories in |
Atchison county. When a Democrat |
wins here, it is because Republicans |
support a Democratic candidate. Two |
years ago, old soldiers openly support |
ed Waggener. although his opponent |
was an old soldier. When Waggener |
arrived in Topeka to take his seat. lie |
saw a lot of men occupying gilt thrones /
On a raised pla torn
Who are those men?" he inquired
He was told they were the King /
Bees.