The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-19
For Forty Years M. A. Lou
Was a Quiet Yet Mighty
P0lUer in Kansas Politics
He Never BIossomed Fourished in Newspaper Inter
views, Nor Did He Drift from Moorings Wave OF
Hysteria and Reform-Story of His Saving Rock Island
for Kansas

ample of the teachings so carefully
followed in the days when Low and
his associates were supreme.
When the big ctate conventions
came to town, Low seldom attended.
He never sought a place on the dele
CATION. Blu. long before the conven-
ton was held Low had had a hand in
the picking of the delegates.
Didn't ''MiII'' in Hotels
Nor was he conspicuous in the leg
islative lobbies. Neither did he mill
with the crowds in the old Windsor
hotel or the moreNrecent political CEN
ter of kansas@the Copeland hotel. Yet
when the crowds came to town there
was always a waiting list in the ante
room of Lows offices-men who
wanted the sage's Judgment and ad-
vice to organization, procedure and
the selection of candidates.
Lows ability to state a proposition
and secure results was one of the
seeming secrets of his success of bust-
ness as well as politics. And on one
of the occasions-perhaps the first
occasion in this state-when Low
| worked directly, that the Rock Island
railroad was saved to Kansas
Saved the Rock Island.
That was in the session of 1885.
| George r. Anthony, who had pre-
viously served as governor, was a
member of the house from Leaven-
worth county. He had introduced a
bill which made illegal the construc-
| tion of parallel railroads thru the
| state.
| At that time the Rock Island was
planning to build thru Kansas. Low
| had come to Topeka for the prelim-
mary organization work. Passage OF
the Anthony bill, tho, would have
| blocked construction.
| The bill was under consideration il
the house when Low~walked into rep
resentative hall. He had been quick
to analyze the situation and plan his
fight.
Jim Simpson. later internal revenue
lcollector, was a seat mate or A w
(Farmer) Smith, later pension agent
Simpson left his seat during the de
bate and Low sauntered over and tool
the seat beside Smith. The men haC
never met.
Your name is Smith," asked Low
Yes. sir
MY name is Low If you defea
this bill the Rock Island will build int
and thru the state of Kansas"
Then Low walked back to the rea
of the hall :.
Smith moved a suspension of con
sideration. There We're nearly sevent
farmers and Old soldiers I'M that ses
sion who followed the Smith leader
ship, and on motion further debat
was suspended three days and extr
copies of the bill ordered printed.
Mcpherson on Rock Island.
That night there was a conferenc
; at the old Windsor hotel. Smit
: agreed to fight the Anthony bill
There was just one consid Grafton. H
wanted the Rock Island built thru Nc
Pherson. Low promised. Smit
called his followers for a caucus
When the Anthony bill came up fo
! final consideration, the Smith follow
ing voted solidly in opposition. Kar
sas secured the Rock Island. Lo-
made good his promise and McPheI
son is today on the main line of tn
road to the southwest.
= The fight on the Anthony tfn wa
: Lows initiation into Kansas .,litic
He won But he also made g. cd o
l a promise. And in the busy year
i which followed Lows power with tn
} men who did things in state polite
: was never in dispute.