The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-22

General Caldwell came to Topeka
Monday night direct from South
America via New Orleans. He is ac-
companied by Mrs. Caldwell, his son
Charles Caldwell and niece, Miss En-
ma Caldwell. The general is looking
over the city today for a home and
he will settle down as soon as he can
find a house satisfactory for the re-
mainder of his years.
When seen by a State Journal re-
porter this morning General Caldwell
was in the best of health. He has not
been in Kansas for over twelve years
and to be back in this state and in
Topeka has given him new spirit: Il
am very glad to get back to this city
and to Kansas" said the general after
hearty greeting. L have kept in
touch with Topeka through her news
papers all during my absence in Costa
Rico and 1 am prepared to witness
anything in the prosperity line.
have not had time to go over Topeka
very thoroughly but from what
have seen I consider her prosperity
and her growth almost marvellous.
However, there is one thing that I
miss very much-and that is the re-
newal of mountaineering of several
of my old friendS-So many of them
have died in this short space of twelve
years.
Out of Touch With Politics.
Being one of the greatest orators
and politicians that Kansas has ever
known, of course General Caldwell
was willing to fall right into dis
cussion on this subject.
There is so much difference be-
tween the political customs of today
and those of a number of years ago.
commented the general. There are
no great principles separating the par
ties at this time-they are not divided
one time. I may say that is a rather
fortunate condition-it takes away
some of the soreness and rivalry that
existed at one time
The time was ripe for some per-
sona1 experiences and with a few
questions the reporter was able to ex
tract from the kindly old general
some experiences in his career that
would hold the small boy in his chair
in the middle of the night. General
Caldwell was a great friend of New
York's greatest genaror-Roscoe
Conkling. He was also a personal
friend of Blaine and he told of the
number of attempts he had made in
trying to bring the two men together
after their split in friendship. He
told of extended trips and tours over
the state of New York and the great
political gath erines. scraps and con-
ventions of that time.
General Caldwelrs description of the
trip of Iincoln'S funeral train from
Washington to Springfield was vivid to
say the least. He was a member of the
guard OF nOnOr WHICH WdlcuSu over liz
body day and night and was chosen by
the secretary of war. Such men as
General Hooker, and General Hunter
were in the guard. General Caldwell is
the only living man who composed
part of this great guard.
Dropping back to modern times
again, the reporter ventured a question
on the tariff. General Caldwell seems
to have a settled idea on this question.
He gave it thus:
Favors Tariff Commission.
ct believe the tariff problem is too
big for politicians to decide and revise.
1t is a business proposition of utmost
Importance to the people of the United
States and should be handled by a
compent commission composed of ex-
perts who would spend all of their time
examining and studying the tariffs of
this nation and of others and the pro-