The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-17
'OLDLEADERS GONE
No One Left to Lead Demo-
cratic Forces.
Ex-senator Martin Talks of the
Situation.
KANSAS DEMOCRATS At SEA
Need a Strong Man to Head the
Unterrified.
Still Believes Bryan the Great
est Democrat.
KANSAS DEMOCRATS At SEA

There are no leaders of either party
in the state now worthy OF the name,
sadly re oIied ex-United States Senator
John Martin today when asked what
he thought Of the political game as It
is played today. No Kansan ever play
ed the game better than John Martin
did from 1859 to 1895. So he ought to be
able to qualify as a judge. Senator
Martin is for Wilson for president and
f1od5es Tor governor and F'arrelley for
the United States senate. But he thinks
Bryan is the greatest Democrat.
Bryan has been beaten three times. =
said Sen1tor Martin, and it would
not be good politics to run him again,
but nevertheless l wish he could be
president. [ think he is the greatest
Democrat Of them all"
Old Leaders Are Gone.
Senator Martin said he meant 10
dlsrespert to the active and able Lead
ers Of both parties in Kansas today
when he declared there is no real Lead
er. He was thinking of the men who
stood out above the rest 50 high they
had no opposition. His was the day of
conventions rather than primaries.
Senator Martin is out of the game
ow and locks on from afar He an
sWers questions politely, but without
set of politicians he does not know.
He speaks diSpaSsionately of the
chances tor Democratic victory in KAN
sas this year. I hope we win he said.
However. he expects to see q Demo-
cratic president elected this year no
matter who the Republicans nominate.
He talks reminiscently and regretfully
Of the fallen leader, General Blair. Thos.
Moonlight, David Overmyer and 9TH
ers.
Senator Martin has played a remark
able part in the politics and public life
Of Kansas. He is daguerreotype ta-
Martin lived in Tecumseh almost be-
fore there was a Topeka. a few SO
houses and shacks represented sum to-
tai of improvements on this townsite
when Martin came to Shawnee county.
His Political Record.
Martins list of political victories in
a Republican state shows total that
no Republican alive can equal.
He was elected clerk in the first house
If representatives. That was in 1853.
Then he was elected register Of deeds
for Shawnee county. Then he landed
the Office Of justice Of the peace. Next
in the list is county attorney. Martin
also served as assistant United States
district attorney While he held the Of
fee of county attorney.
He ran for the legislature from the
haWnee-JacI-son- effersGn district IN
1859 and was defeated. He carried JEFF
ferson and jackson counties but lost
Shawnee.
in 1872 and was elected. He was re-
elected without opposite n He ran for
congress in 1880. He ran for the state
senate IL 1881. Then he was appointed
iudge of the district court and later
Was elected to this office.
He was elected to the United States
seuate in 1892 and served until 1888. He
vas clerk of the supreme court until
1928.
Then I quit said the senator. =
have been out of the game since then
IT WIS a great game ana I loved t"
play it. ] lost three fights out Of al
those i'll which | have been engaged.
once for the legislature once for con-
rress and once for tia state senate.
/ have been treated we'll by my state
and / love its people. The years plot
out party lines for me except on cleo
ton day Then I am a Democrat
Revolutionary Ancestry.
The senator would rather talk Of |
lis great aunts who captured a Brit |
sb sny in South Carolina in Revolu- |
ionary days. than to discuss the pres
INF state of political affairs in the /
tate and nation. lie has relatives III |
, half Gozen southern states and has
pent much of his time in recent years
listing with them.
FROM 1859 to 1898 is nearly 40 years.
7r3m clerk of the house to United
states senator is a big jump. This OLD
Democrat with the clear cut face ana
off voice must have been a great poll
ieian in hi day and age He always
ollgl1f against odds and nearly always
s-on his fights. ASK any old timer of
itI,eI. rarity and he will bear witness
hat senator Martin was man OF
,arts an uurivalled campaigner and
,9inne,- Of warm friends.