The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-10-04

the Sixth District.
foundation of a heavy Democratic vote
in the big Sixth and added to this the
proclivity of the people of that great
country to vote and talk their inde-
pendent sentiments on any subject un-
der the sun.
Rockefeller's political enemies in the
Sixth district are trying to make capi
tai out of the fact that he is an own
cousin of the famous John D. Rookie
feller of Standard Oil fame. They say
that if Frank is sent to congress he
will be subservient to the wishes of
the oil magnate. This campaign story
makes little explanation of the rela-
tionship between the Kansan and the
richest man in the world timely.
Frank Rockefeller was reared on a
New York farm. When he reached his
majority he saw that there was no fu
ture for him as a New York agricul-
turist, so he started west. He stopped
at Cleveland to see his cousin. John D.,
hoping to get a job from him. IF I
could have secured a job at $40 month
] would have been at the height of
my ambition said Mr.. Rockefeller to-
day in speaking of the incident, 'for
$40 a month was a big salary in those
days. John had plenty of jobs at his
command, but he could not see his way
to help me. He told me to go west,
ana L O1Q, without putting up any Iur-
ther argument for a job"
Settled in Kansas.
The New York farmer boy found the
Kansas soil a miracle of production and
he soon had his farm paid for and
branched out in the live stock busi-
ness. He has been part and parcel of
the life of the western Kansas farming
interests ever since. He served a term
in the state legislature with Governor
Stubbs, and has, like the average Kan
saS farmer, taken a more or less ac-
tive interest in politics. He has been
in accord with the intelligent and in
dependent sentiment of his district on
all public questions.
Now John D. Rockefeller is a Repub-
lican, while Frank. the Kansas cousin
is a Democrat. But it was Frank who
followed the custom of the Rockefeller
family which has been of the Demo
cratic faith from the beginning. Frank
once asked John D. why he had de-
serted his fathers faith to affiliate
with the Republican party and the
magnate replied: Il find that it pays
better to be a, Republican" This an
Swer was brief, characteristic and to
the point.
Frank and his family, while outside
the circle of the eastern Rockefel1ers
entirely, still keep on friendly terms
with them through correspondence,
occasionally visit with them in CIeve-
land and New York. But there is
nothing in common between them. The
ties of mutual interest were broken
when the oil man could find no place
for the farmer boy, but told him to
go west and grow up with the coun-
try. The farmer boy took the advice
and he did grow up with the country
and at the same time grew away from
the eastern branch. Frank Rockefel-
Ter is now well-to-d,o and regarded by
his western neighbors as a successful
and solid business man. He is as plain
as an old shoe and has a most pleas
ing personality But for all his quiet
and modest demeanor he impresses the
man who talks with him for awhile
with his strength of character and
judgment of men and things.
Friendly With Rich Cousin
Talking about the story his op-
ponents had sprung on him about John
D., the western cousin did not seek to
make capital for himself by abusing
his rich relative or dilating on the fact
that John D. had turned him down
years ago and that now there was only
enmity between them. He is not that
| kind. He told of the incident merely
| to show that he had made his own
way in Kansas and would continue
to make his own way. 81 do not see
John D. very often,'' he said, 'sbut we
| are friendly when we do meet. We
are on opposite sides of the creek
as regards politics, business and socia,
/ life. But if I have no cause to love
i, him neither have I cause to quarre
with him. If go to congress he would
| have no more influence over me thai
| Pierpoint Morgan would over Stubbs
| If the red-headed governor goes tc
| the L. S Senate
The story of Franks relationship
with John D. may have its effect or
Frank, but with the folks who have