Topeka State Journal [Topeka, Kansas]
Tuesday July 21, 1921 Page 1
FOR FORTY YEARS M.A. LOW WAS A QUIET YET MIGHT POWER IN KANSAS POLITICS
He Never Blossomed or Flourished in Newspaper Interviews, Nor Did He Drift from Moorings on Wave of Hysteria and Reform - Story of His Saving Rock Island for Kansas
For many years the late M A Low was one of the men to be reckoned with in Kansas politics. Yet Low was an extreme opposite of the type of men who have blossomed and flourished in seasons of stirring newspaper interviews and impassioned oratory. He never drifted from his moorings on a wave of hysteria and reform. He never ran to epigrams. Neither was he conspicuous in convention crowds or active in hotel milling. Yet after nearly forty years of political activity his strength held while more spectacular men in the game had flourished and fallen and been forgotten.
Low came to Kansas in the early 1880s to do a big thing for the Rock Island system. He succeeded so well that his responsibilities grew. In consequence, his power in politics developed as his business activities became broader and more important. During the late 1880s, 1890s and into the convention days of 1900 to 1906 - the last state convention - his power was always felt. His sound conservative judgment was sought in every battle. Seldom did the veterans of other days - Liggett, Crum, Leland, Simpson, Albaugh, Long, Burton, Smith and others - go into a fight without first discussing campaign plans with Low.
Mapped Out His Battles
Quiet, slow-spoken, ultra conservative, Low never rushed to battle until he had mapped out every detail. His word was sparingly given. But once given it was regarded as a bond in political circles.
There are few men of the Low type in Kansas politics today. The primary calls for a leadership set with glittering promises and spangled with high sounding soul stirring words and phrases. In this game Low did not compete. Yet long after the primary came, Low's counsel was sought and his advice carefully followed. Possibility the only Kansan in the generation who has really succeeded in politics and retained his reticence is D W Mulvane, Republican national committeeman. His constant refusal to break into the public prints and to scatter his promises is the nearest example of the teachings so carefully follow in the days when Low and his associates were supreme.
When the big state conventions came to town, Low seldom attended. He never sought a place on the delegation. But long before the convention was held Low had had a hand in the picking of the delegates.
Didn't Mill In Hotels
Nor was he conspicuous in the legislative lobbies. Neither did he mill with the crowds in the old Windsor Hotel or the more recent political center of Kansas - the Copeland Hotel. Yet when the crowds came to town there was always a waiting list in the ante room of Low's offices - men who wanted the sage's judgment and advice as to organization, procedure and the selection of candidates.
Low's ability to state a proposition and secure results was one of the seeming secrets of his success of businesses 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 in Kansas.
Saved The Rock Island Railroad
That was the session of 1885. George T Anthony, who had previously served as governor, was a member of the House from Leavenworth county. He had introduced a bill which made illegal the construction of parallel railroads though the state.
At the time the Rock Island was planning to build through Kansas. Low had come to Topeka for the preliminary organization work. Passage of the Anthony bill though would have blocked the construction.
Jim Simpson, later internal revenue collector, was a seat mate of A W (Farmer) Smith, later a pension agent. Simpson left his seat during the debate and Low sauntered over and took the seat beside Smith. The men had never met.
"Your name is Smith?" asked Low.
"Yes sir."
"My name is Low. If you defeat this bill the Rock Island will build into and thru the state of Kansas".
Then Low walked back to the rear of the hall.
Smith moved for a suspension of consideration. There were nearly seventy farmers and old soldiers in that session who followed the Smith leadership, and on motion further debate was suspended three days and extra copies of the bill ordered printed.
McPherson on Rock Island Railroad
That night there was a conference at the old Windsor hotel. Smith agree to fight the Anthony bill. There was just one consideration. He wanted the Rock Island Railroad built through McPherson. Low promised. Smith called his followers for a caucus. When the Anthony bill came up for the final consideration, the Smith followers voted solidly in opposition. Kansas secured the Rock Island Railroad. Low made good on his promise and McPherson is today on the mail line to the southwest.
The fight on the Anthony bill was Low's initiation into Kansas politics. He won. And in the busy years which followed Low's power with the men who did things in state politics was never in dispute.
About 1887 Low became president and general attorney for all of the western lines of the Rock Island and when the station building was finished in the fall of 1887, he moved to Topeka, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company maintained its general offices until the merger with the Rock Island system, about 1891.
Retired 1912
Low continued as general attorney until 1912, when he retired from active service at the age of 70 years. During his active life he was also president of the Texas lines of the Rock Island and superintended the construction in Texas and New Mexico.
He had general supervision over the general location and construction of about one-half the entire mileage of the Rock Island railway system, and during his active life, he was a man of dominant personality, strict integrity and of few words.
One of his closest associates says of him: "While to some he appeared cold and distant, yet to those who knew him well, he was full of humor, sympathy, gracious tolerance and the milk of human kindness."
"He seemed austere, but was uniformly just. He was always optimistic as to the future of Kansas and the southwest. He abhorred sham, hypocrisy and deceit, and expected everyone with whom he dealt, and expected everyone to be honest and above board, and strictly honest and truthful in all dealings with him and the railroad that he represented."
"If he gave his word he carried out his agreement to the letter, and expected others to do the same. He consistently declined political preference and it is said that he refused the office of United States Senator when it was offered to him."
"He loved Kansas and the west and declined promotion on his own railroad when offers contemplated removal to Chicago or the east. His hobbies were love of horses, the raising of flowers and during his later years, after his retirement from railroad work, he was fond of golf."
On February 14, 1867, Mr Low was married to Miss Diantha L Hovey, of Belvidere, Illinois.
Mr Low was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1876, 1900 and 1904. He was at one time president of the Topeka board of park commissioners, and was also president of the Topeka Public Library association.
t_town_ks provided this info.
Tuesday July 21, 1921 Page 1
FOR FORTY YEARS M.A. LOW WAS A QUIET YET MIGHT POWER IN KANSAS POLITICS
He Never Blossomed or Flourished in Newspaper Interviews, Nor Did He Drift from Moorings on Wave of Hysteria and Reform - Story of His Saving Rock Island for Kansas
For many years the late M A Low was one of the men to be reckoned with in Kansas politics. Yet Low was an extreme opposite of the type of men who have blossomed and flourished in seasons of stirring newspaper interviews and impassioned oratory. He never drifted from his moorings on a wave of hysteria and reform. He never ran to epigrams. Neither was he conspicuous in convention crowds or active in hotel milling. Yet after nearly forty years of political activity his strength held while more spectacular men in the game had flourished and fallen and been forgotten.
Low came to Kansas in the early 1880s to do a big thing for the Rock Island system. He succeeded so well that his responsibilities grew. In consequence, his power in politics developed as his business activities became broader and more important. During the late 1880s, 1890s and into the convention days of 1900 to 1906 - the last state convention - his power was always felt. His sound conservative judgment was sought in every battle. Seldom did the veterans of other days - Liggett, Crum, Leland, Simpson, Albaugh, Long, Burton, Smith and others - go into a fight without first discussing campaign plans with Low.
Mapped Out His Battles
Quiet, slow-spoken, ultra conservative, Low never rushed to battle until he had mapped out every detail. His word was sparingly given. But once given it was regarded as a bond in political circles.
There are few men of the Low type in Kansas politics today. The primary calls for a leadership set with glittering promises and spangled with high sounding soul stirring words and phrases. In this game Low did not compete. Yet long after the primary came, Low's counsel was sought and his advice carefully followed. Possibility the only Kansan in the generation who has really succeeded in politics and retained his reticence is D W Mulvane, Republican national committeeman. His constant refusal to break into the public prints and to scatter his promises is the nearest example of the teachings so carefully follow in the days when Low and his associates were supreme.
When the big state conventions came to town, Low seldom attended. He never sought a place on the delegation. But long before the convention was held Low had had a hand in the picking of the delegates.
Didn't Mill In Hotels
Nor was he conspicuous in the legislative lobbies. Neither did he mill with the crowds in the old Windsor Hotel or the more recent political center of Kansas - the Copeland Hotel. Yet when the crowds came to town there was always a waiting list in the ante room of Low's offices - men who wanted the sage's judgment and advice as to organization, procedure and the selection of candidates.
Low's ability to state a proposition and secure results was one of the seeming secrets of his success of businesses 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 in Kansas.
Saved The Rock Island Railroad
That was the session of 1885. George T Anthony, who had previously served as governor, was a member of the House from Leavenworth county. He had introduced a bill which made illegal the construction of parallel railroads though the state.
At the time the Rock Island was planning to build through Kansas. Low had come to Topeka for the preliminary organization work. Passage of the Anthony bill though would have blocked the construction.
Jim Simpson, later internal revenue collector, was a seat mate of A W (Farmer) Smith, later a pension agent. Simpson left his seat during the debate and Low sauntered over and took the seat beside Smith. The men had never met.
"Your name is Smith?" asked Low.
"Yes sir."
"My name is Low. If you defeat this bill the Rock Island will build into and thru the state of Kansas".
Then Low walked back to the rear of the hall.
Smith moved for a suspension of consideration. There were nearly seventy farmers and old soldiers in that session who followed the Smith leadership, and on motion further debate was suspended three days and extra copies of the bill ordered printed.
McPherson on Rock Island Railroad
That night there was a conference at the old Windsor hotel. Smith agree to fight the Anthony bill. There was just one consideration. He wanted the Rock Island Railroad built through McPherson. Low promised. Smith called his followers for a caucus. When the Anthony bill came up for the final consideration, the Smith followers voted solidly in opposition. Kansas secured the Rock Island Railroad. Low made good on his promise and McPherson is today on the mail line to the southwest.
The fight on the Anthony bill was Low's initiation into Kansas politics. He won. And in the busy years which followed Low's power with the men who did things in state politics was never in dispute.
About 1887 Low became president and general attorney for all of the western lines of the Rock Island and when the station building was finished in the fall of 1887, he moved to Topeka, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company maintained its general offices until the merger with the Rock Island system, about 1891.
Retired 1912
Low continued as general attorney until 1912, when he retired from active service at the age of 70 years. During his active life he was also president of the Texas lines of the Rock Island and superintended the construction in Texas and New Mexico.
He had general supervision over the general location and construction of about one-half the entire mileage of the Rock Island railway system, and during his active life, he was a man of dominant personality, strict integrity and of few words.
One of his closest associates says of him: "While to some he appeared cold and distant, yet to those who knew him well, he was full of humor, sympathy, gracious tolerance and the milk of human kindness."
"He seemed austere, but was uniformly just. He was always optimistic as to the future of Kansas and the southwest. He abhorred sham, hypocrisy and deceit, and expected everyone with whom he dealt, and expected everyone to be honest and above board, and strictly honest and truthful in all dealings with him and the railroad that he represented."
"If he gave his word he carried out his agreement to the letter, and expected others to do the same. He consistently declined political preference and it is said that he refused the office of United States Senator when it was offered to him."
"He loved Kansas and the west and declined promotion on his own railroad when offers contemplated removal to Chicago or the east. His hobbies were love of horses, the raising of flowers and during his later years, after his retirement from railroad work, he was fond of golf."
On February 14, 1867, Mr Low was married to Miss Diantha L Hovey, of Belvidere, Illinois.
Mr Low was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1876, 1900 and 1904. He was at one time president of the Topeka board of park commissioners, and was also president of the Topeka Public Library association.
t_town_ks provided this info.
Topeka State Journal [Topeka, Kansas]
Tuesday July 21, 1921 Page 1
FOR FORTY YEARS M.A. LOW WAS A QUIET YET MIGHT POWER IN KANSAS POLITICS
He Never Blossomed or Flourished in Newspaper Interviews, Nor Did He Drift from Moorings on Wave of Hysteria and Reform - Story of His Saving Rock Island for Kansas
For many years the late M A Low was one of the men to be reckoned with in Kansas politics. Yet Low was an extreme opposite of the type of men who have blossomed and flourished in seasons of stirring newspaper interviews and impassioned oratory. He never drifted from his moorings on a wave of hysteria and reform. He never ran to epigrams. Neither was he conspicuous in convention crowds or active in hotel milling. Yet after nearly forty years of political activity his strength held while more spectacular men in the game had flourished and fallen and been forgotten.
Low came to Kansas in the early 1880s to do a big thing for the Rock Island system. He succeeded so well that his responsibilities grew. In consequence, his power in politics developed as his business activities became broader and more important. During the late 1880s, 1890s and into the convention days of 1900 to 1906 - the last state convention - his power was always felt. His sound conservative judgment was sought in every battle. Seldom did the veterans of other days - Liggett, Crum, Leland, Simpson, Albaugh, Long, Burton, Smith and others - go into a fight without first discussing campaign plans with Low.
Mapped Out His Battles
Quiet, slow-spoken, ultra conservative, Low never rushed to battle until he had mapped out every detail. His word was sparingly given. But once given it was regarded as a bond in political circles.
There are few men of the Low type in Kansas politics today. The primary calls for a leadership set with glittering promises and spangled with high sounding soul stirring words and phrases. In this game Low did not compete. Yet long after the primary came, Low's counsel was sought and his advice carefully followed. Possibility the only Kansan in the generation who has really succeeded in politics and retained his reticence is D W Mulvane, Republican national committeeman. His constant refusal to break into the public prints and to scatter his promises is the nearest example of the teachings so carefully follow in the days when Low and his associates were supreme.
When the big state conventions came to town, Low seldom attended. He never sought a place on the delegation. But long before the convention was held Low had had a hand in the picking of the delegates.
Didn't Mill In Hotels
Nor was he conspicuous in the legislative lobbies. Neither did he mill with the crowds in the old Windsor Hotel or the more recent political center of Kansas - the Copeland Hotel. Yet when the crowds came to town there was always a waiting list in the ante room of Low's offices - men who wanted the sage's judgment and advice as to organization, procedure and the selection of candidates.
Low's ability to state a proposition and secure results was one of the seeming secrets of his success of businesses 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 in Kansas.
Saved The Rock Island Railroad
That was the session of 1885. George T Anthony, who had previously served as governor, was a member of the House from Leavenworth county. He had introduced a bill which made illegal the construction of parallel railroads though the state.
At the time the Rock Island was planning to build through Kansas. Low had come to Topeka for the preliminary organization work. Passage of the Anthony bill though would have blocked the construction.
Jim Simpson, later internal revenue collector, was a seat mate of A W (Farmer) Smith, later a pension agent. Simpson left his seat during the debate and Low sauntered over and took the seat beside Smith. The men had never met.
"Your name is Smith?" asked Low.
"Yes sir."
"My name is Low. If you defeat this bill the Rock Island will build into and thru the state of Kansas".
Then Low walked back to the rear of the hall.
Smith moved for a suspension of consideration. There were nearly seventy farmers and old soldiers in that session who followed the Smith leadership, and on motion further debate was suspended three days and extra copies of the bill ordered printed.
McPherson on Rock Island Railroad
That night there was a conference at the old Windsor hotel. Smith agree to fight the Anthony bill. There was just one consideration. He wanted the Rock Island Railroad built through McPherson. Low promised. Smith called his followers for a caucus. When the Anthony bill came up for the final consideration, the Smith followers voted solidly in opposition. Kansas secured the Rock Island Railroad. Low made good on his promise and McPherson is today on the mail line to the southwest.
The fight on the Anthony bill was Low's initiation into Kansas politics. He won. And in the busy years which followed Low's power with the men who did things in state politics was never in dispute.
About 1887 Low became president and general attorney for all of the western lines of the Rock Island and when the station building was finished in the fall of 1887, he moved to Topeka, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company maintained its general offices until the merger with the Rock Island system, about 1891.
Retired 1912
Low continued as general attorney until 1912, when he retired from active service at the age of 70 years. During his active life he was also president of the Texas lines of the Rock Island and superintended the construction in Texas and New Mexico.
He had general supervision over the general location and construction of about one-half the entire mileage of the Rock Island railway system, and during his active life, he was a man of dominant personality, strict integrity and of few words.
One of his closest associates says of him: "While to some he appeared cold and distant, yet to those who knew him well, he was full of humor, sympathy, gracious tolerance and the milk of human kindness."
"He seemed austere, but was uniformly just. He was always optimistic as to the future of Kansas and the southwest. He abhorred sham, hypocrisy and deceit, and expected everyone with whom he dealt, and expected everyone to be honest and above board, and strictly honest and truthful in all dealings with him and the railroad that he represented."
"If he gave his word he carried out his agreement to the letter, and expected others to do the same. He consistently declined political preference and it is said that he refused the office of United States Senator when it was offered to him."
"He loved Kansas and the west and declined promotion on his own railroad when offers contemplated removal to Chicago or the east. His hobbies were love of horses, the raising of flowers and during his later years, after his retirement from railroad work, he was fond of golf."
On February 14, 1867, Mr Low was married to Miss Diantha L Hovey, of Belvidere, Illinois.
Mr Low was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1876, 1900 and 1904. He was at one time president of the Topeka board of park commissioners, and was also president of the Topeka Public Library association.
t_town_ks provided this info.
Tuesday July 21, 1921 Page 1
FOR FORTY YEARS M.A. LOW WAS A QUIET YET MIGHT POWER IN KANSAS POLITICS
He Never Blossomed or Flourished in Newspaper Interviews, Nor Did He Drift from Moorings on Wave of Hysteria and Reform - Story of His Saving Rock Island for Kansas
For many years the late M A Low was one of the men to be reckoned with in Kansas politics. Yet Low was an extreme opposite of the type of men who have blossomed and flourished in seasons of stirring newspaper interviews and impassioned oratory. He never drifted from his moorings on a wave of hysteria and reform. He never ran to epigrams. Neither was he conspicuous in convention crowds or active in hotel milling. Yet after nearly forty years of political activity his strength held while more spectacular men in the game had flourished and fallen and been forgotten.
Low came to Kansas in the early 1880s to do a big thing for the Rock Island system. He succeeded so well that his responsibilities grew. In consequence, his power in politics developed as his business activities became broader and more important. During the late 1880s, 1890s and into the convention days of 1900 to 1906 - the last state convention - his power was always felt. His sound conservative judgment was sought in every battle. Seldom did the veterans of other days - Liggett, Crum, Leland, Simpson, Albaugh, Long, Burton, Smith and others - go into a fight without first discussing campaign plans with Low.
Mapped Out His Battles
Quiet, slow-spoken, ultra conservative, Low never rushed to battle until he had mapped out every detail. His word was sparingly given. But once given it was regarded as a bond in political circles.
There are few men of the Low type in Kansas politics today. The primary calls for a leadership set with glittering promises and spangled with high sounding soul stirring words and phrases. In this game Low did not compete. Yet long after the primary came, Low's counsel was sought and his advice carefully followed. Possibility the only Kansan in the generation who has really succeeded in politics and retained his reticence is D W Mulvane, Republican national committeeman. His constant refusal to break into the public prints and to scatter his promises is the nearest example of the teachings so carefully follow in the days when Low and his associates were supreme.
When the big state conventions came to town, Low seldom attended. He never sought a place on the delegation. But long before the convention was held Low had had a hand in the picking of the delegates.
Didn't Mill In Hotels
Nor was he conspicuous in the legislative lobbies. Neither did he mill with the crowds in the old Windsor Hotel or the more recent political center of Kansas - the Copeland Hotel. Yet when the crowds came to town there was always a waiting list in the ante room of Low's offices - men who wanted the sage's judgment and advice as to organization, procedure and the selection of candidates.
Low's ability to state a proposition and secure results was one of the seeming secrets of his success of businesses 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 in Kansas.
Saved The Rock Island Railroad
That was the session of 1885. George T Anthony, who had previously served as governor, was a member of the House from Leavenworth county. He had introduced a bill which made illegal the construction of parallel railroads though the state.
At the time the Rock Island was planning to build through Kansas. Low had come to Topeka for the preliminary organization work. Passage of the Anthony bill though would have blocked the construction.
Jim Simpson, later internal revenue collector, was a seat mate of A W (Farmer) Smith, later a pension agent. Simpson left his seat during the debate and Low sauntered over and took the seat beside Smith. The men had never met.
"Your name is Smith?" asked Low.
"Yes sir."
"My name is Low. If you defeat this bill the Rock Island will build into and thru the state of Kansas".
Then Low walked back to the rear of the hall.
Smith moved for a suspension of consideration. There were nearly seventy farmers and old soldiers in that session who followed the Smith leadership, and on motion further debate was suspended three days and extra copies of the bill ordered printed.
McPherson on Rock Island Railroad
That night there was a conference at the old Windsor hotel. Smith agree to fight the Anthony bill. There was just one consideration. He wanted the Rock Island Railroad built through McPherson. Low promised. Smith called his followers for a caucus. When the Anthony bill came up for the final consideration, the Smith followers voted solidly in opposition. Kansas secured the Rock Island Railroad. Low made good on his promise and McPherson is today on the mail line to the southwest.
The fight on the Anthony bill was Low's initiation into Kansas politics. He won. And in the busy years which followed Low's power with the men who did things in state politics was never in dispute.
About 1887 Low became president and general attorney for all of the western lines of the Rock Island and when the station building was finished in the fall of 1887, he moved to Topeka, where the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company maintained its general offices until the merger with the Rock Island system, about 1891.
Retired 1912
Low continued as general attorney until 1912, when he retired from active service at the age of 70 years. During his active life he was also president of the Texas lines of the Rock Island and superintended the construction in Texas and New Mexico.
He had general supervision over the general location and construction of about one-half the entire mileage of the Rock Island railway system, and during his active life, he was a man of dominant personality, strict integrity and of few words.
One of his closest associates says of him: "While to some he appeared cold and distant, yet to those who knew him well, he was full of humor, sympathy, gracious tolerance and the milk of human kindness."
"He seemed austere, but was uniformly just. He was always optimistic as to the future of Kansas and the southwest. He abhorred sham, hypocrisy and deceit, and expected everyone with whom he dealt, and expected everyone to be honest and above board, and strictly honest and truthful in all dealings with him and the railroad that he represented."
"If he gave his word he carried out his agreement to the letter, and expected others to do the same. He consistently declined political preference and it is said that he refused the office of United States Senator when it was offered to him."
"He loved Kansas and the west and declined promotion on his own railroad when offers contemplated removal to Chicago or the east. His hobbies were love of horses, the raising of flowers and during his later years, after his retirement from railroad work, he was fond of golf."
On February 14, 1867, Mr Low was married to Miss Diantha L Hovey, of Belvidere, Illinois.
Mr Low was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1876, 1900 and 1904. He was at one time president of the Topeka board of park commissioners, and was also president of the Topeka Public Library association.
t_town_ks provided this info.
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