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February 5, 1910

"BOYS" FIND HOME FOR

PENDERGAST IN FIRST.

Ward Workers Jubilant Over Prac-

tical Certainty That the Alder-

man Will Run Again.

Alderman James Pendergast, 1100 Summit street, temporary abode only.

There is joy in the first ward. The boys have found a home for their patron and political saint, Alderman James Pendergast. After a long and wearisome chase the house hunters yesterday temporarily leased the unpretentious but comfortable dwelling at 1100 Summit street. It is located right in the heart of the First ward,and in a few days the alderman who for eighteen consecutive years has represented the ward in the lower house and gotten city jobs for thousands of the boys will be formally installed in his new domicile.

"Means you are going to be candidate for alderman again?" was suggested to the nestor of Democratic politics.

"Well, I told the boys that if they would find a home for me in the ward I might consider representing them again. Consider, mind you," replied Mr. Pendergast, "since my wife died, four years ago, I've been sort of a Gypsy, dividing my domicile between my farms in Kansas and Missouri and the home of my sister on Prospect avenue. I'm getting tired of calling home wherever I hang my hat.

"I want a place I can really call home, and the boys are going to install me in one in a few days. The boys would go to the end of the earth for me, and I suppose it us up to me to reciprocate."

"Hurrah! Jim is going to run for alderman again," gleefully shouted one of the boys.

"Qualify that with the word 'consider,' " interrupted the alderman.

Labels: farmers, James Pendergast, politics, Prospect avenue, Summit street

February 1, 1910

JIM CROW BILL BEATEN.

Two Democrats Vote With Repub-

licans and Kill It.

Two Democratic aldermen, W. C. Culbertson and Isaac Taylor, voted with the Republicans in the upper house of the council last night and defeated an ordinance providing for separate street car seats for negroes.

Mr. Culbertson's reasons for voting against the ordinance were that he feared it to be a trouble maker, and that it was not sufficiently explicit as to how the negroes were to be separated from the whites when the cars and platforms were crowded. Mr. Taylor gave a like reason.

Here is the vote:

For the ordinance -- Steele, Wirthman, Titsworth, O'Malley, Logan, Gregory; total, 6, all Democrats.

Against the ordinance -- Edwards, Havens, Tillhof, Bunker, Republicans; Taylor, Culbertson, Democrats; total, 6.

Absent -- Cronin, Democrat; Thompson, Republican.

Eight votes were necessary to carry the ordinance.

Before the session opened Alderman James Pendergast came over from the lower house and loudly proclaimed opposition to the ordinance. He said that it could not be enforced, that it would be declared unconstitutional and under his breath he told Democrats it would be a bad move politically.

Labels: James Pendergast, Kansas City council, politics, race, streetcar

January 16, 1910

MAYOR CRITTENDEN

NOT A CANDIDATE.

Makes Formal Statement

That He Will Not Accept

a Renomination.

"I shall not be a candidate for mayor." -- Mayor Crittenden.

This terse and positive statement, stripped of all provisos and conditions, was made yesterday by Mayor T. T. Crittenden.

"I have made up my mind and there is no changing it," he told Alderman James Pendergast, with whom he had a conference. Alderman Pendergast labored long and unsuccessfully in an effort to get the mayor to reconsider his attitude. The same declaration had gone to J. B. Shannon and other leaders of the Democratic party a few days ago and the mayor turned a deaf ear to their pleading to again be a candidate. Men representing civic and commercial bodies also petitioned the mayor to withhold his letter of declination until February 1, but he kindly yet with much emphasis said there was no use.

"I shall not be a candidate for mayor," he repeated and thereupon dictated the following statement:

THE MAYOR SAYS NO.

"No, I shall not be a candidate for mayor. I would not accept the office if it were tendered me without opposition. It is a distinguished honor and should be passed around, and then I can no longer afford to remain away from my business. I have given the city two of the best years of my life. I have worked ceaselessly day and night for the people of Kansas City, at a great financial sacrifice to myself. I have done my duty as I have served without prejudice or favor.

"I did not seek the nomination and only accepted it at the solicitation of friends. When I entered upon my high duties I was ambitious to keep faith with my pledges and make a fight for the upbuilding of Kansas City, and today I can look the world in the face and say that I have kept the faith and fought the fight. No man can truthfully say that I have violated a single political pledge and the work I have accomplished will speak for itself."

Labels: James Pendergast, Mayor Crittenden, politics

January 9, 1910

PENDERGAST TO FLORIDA.

The Alderman Decides to Change

Winter Resorts This Season.

California as his winter retreat has gotten to be such an old story with Alderman James Pendergast that he is going to make a change this season and spend the balance of the inclement season in Jacksonville, Fla.

"I'm going to take my winter's rest amid the fragrant magnolias," poetically observed the alderman yesterday.

The alderman expects to remain in Florida until spring planting begins on his farms in Kansas and Missouri.

Labels: farmers, James Pendergast

November 11, 1909

PENDERGAST DUCKED

AND COUNCIL QUIT.

BULGER INCENSED BECAUSE HE

DIDN'T STICK.

"It's a Cinch We All Have a Right

to Duck If Alderman From the

First Has," Vociferated

Miles Bulger.

After the council had been in special session about 25 minutes last night, Alderman James Pendergast of the First ward asked to be excused. His request was granted.

For several months Alderman Pendergast has not been well and his physician advised him to remain out as little as possible at night. The alderman always attends the meetings of the council to see if there is a quorum present. If his vote is needed he remains, otherwise he asks to be excused.

"I move the house adjourn," cried Alderman Miles E. Bulger of the Fourth ward, jumping to his feet. "Then we may all be excused. The alderman from the First comes down here at every meeting, remains about fifteen minutes and then ducks. I think he should stick here and work like the rest of us. I move we adjourn, I say."

"Are you serious about that motion?" asked Speaker Frank Shinnick.

"Sure," replied Bulger. "It's a cinch we all have the right to duck if the alderman from the First has. I insist on the motion.

The motion was put and carried, 7 to 3, four members then being absent. Alderman Shinnick, Brown and Askew voted against adjournment. With the budget full and important work on hand the aldermen of the lower house left just as the sergeant-at-arms, James Bermingham, entered with ordinances and communications from the upper house.

Last Monday night when there was a prize fight at the Hippodrome and much work on hand, Alderman Bulger moved an adjournment after the lower house had been in session less than half an hour. It carried. The special meeting last night partly was to catch up for lost time made in going to the prize fight.

It may take another special meeting at the expense of the city to clean up the budget.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, James Pendergast, Kansas City council

November 1, 1909

NO, AWFUL, GOT NO BRIDE.

Building Barns, Not a Fine Home,

Declares Alderman on Return.

"Nothing to it. Wouldn't it have been awful if such a thing had been published?" gasped Alderman James Pendergast last night upon his return from a business trip to Chicago.

While he was away some wag said that the alderman would return with a bride.

"They say you have all the marrying symptoms; that you are building a fine home in the south part of town and buying automobiles," it was suggested.

"If they would say that I am building barns on my farms and buying harvesting machines they would be nearer the facts," replied the alderman, adding, "there isn't very much connubial sentiment about that, is there?"

Labels: Chicago, James Pendergast

June 29, 1909

JOSHES NEW COP AND

IS PROMPTLY PINCHED.

AUDITOR'S PAYMASTER SAID

"OH, YOU KID."

A Jewish policeman, the first Kansas City ever had, arrested an Irishman last night for disturbing the officer's peace.

Max Joffy, formerly a porter in James Pendergast's saloon and later a janitor at the city hall under Mayor Henry M. Beardsley, was appointed a probationary patrolman on the police force yesterday morning along with forty-three other men.

Proudly wearing his new star and swinging a white ash club he entered the drug store of Morton Burger at Independence avenue and Cherry street yesterday afternoon. Frank O. Donnely, paymaster in the city auditor's office, was in the drug store. Knowing Joffy for years he was amused at the Jewish policeman's outfit and burst out laughing.

"Holy St. Patrick, look at the new cop," laughed Donnely, making a grimace, "Oh, you kid!"

Joffy's new found dignity was touched. He placed his hand on Donnelly's back and said:

"I'll teach you to talk that way to an officer. Come on down to the station."

Donnelly rose from the fountain, where he was drinking an ice cream soda, with a glass holder in his hand. Joffy drew his revolver, afterwards found to be unloaded, and with the tags still upon it. Donnelly's Irish spirit ebbed and he submitted. He was taken to the central police station where he was booked for disturbing the peace. He afterward gave bond.

"I know nothing of the merits of the case against Donnelly," said Captain Walter Whitsett last night, "but I do know that a police officer's peace cannot be disturbed, according to the law as it is interpreted by the courts."

Donnelly is a rising young Democratic politician in the Sixth ward. He has been paymaster in the city auditor's office for three years. He lives with his family at 632 Troost avenue.

"I couldn't resist the temptation to have a little fun at Joffy's expense," he said. "I have known the man for five years and had never seen him take offense at a well meant joke before. This is the first time I was ever arrested in my life."

STRANGE NAMES IN LIST.

The list of forty-three officers appointed by the board yesterday bears only one Irish name -- that of Daniel R. McGuire, who was made a jailer. There are such cognomens as Obrecht, Zinn, Mertz, Baer, Niemier and Siegfried. They were given clubs, stars and revolvers yesterday afternoon and will be assigned for duty today.

Joffy was not on duty at the time his first arrest was made. He is the first policeman of Jewish descent to be appointed in the city, according to men who have been on the force for many years.

Labels: Captain Whitsett, Cherry street, guns, immigrants, Independence avenue, James Pendergast, Jews, Mayor Beardsley, police, politics, Troost avenue

April 8, 1909

GOING TO GET EVEN,

BERT BRANNON SAYS.

Arraigned on Charge of Receiving

Stolen Property, Former Deputy

County Marshal's Out on Bond.

Bert Brannon, no longer deputy county marshal, entered police headquarters yesterday afternoon shortly after his arraignment on a charge of receiving stolen property and his release on bond, and secured his possessions in custody of the police. He calmly loaded his revolver and placed the deputy marshal's star in his pocket. He talked with several friends in the lobby.

"Did you ever hear of such a joke?" he asked. "Why, I have the receipt in my pocket from the jeweler who sold me the diamond. But I'm going to get even with the man who started this," and he nodded significantly at Captain Walter Whitsett's office. "Some people will wish they had never heard of me."

Brannon was arrested Tuesday evening and kept in the holdover at headquarters until yesterday afternoon, despite the efforts of political friends to secure his release. He was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Justice Theodore Remley on a charge of receiving stolen property, pleaded not guilty and was released on a bond signed by his attorney, T. A. J. Mastin, and Alderman James Pendergast. Brannon's preliminary hearing will be had before Justice Remley this morning at 9 o'clock. The property in question is a diamond stud.

An attorney made an attempt to speak to Brannon yesterday morning while he was held on an "investigation" charge, and was refused permission. He immediately went to the prosecuting attorney and demanded that a warrant be issued for the chief of police and Inspector Ryan, charging a violation of the statutes for holding Brannon "incommunicado" for more than twenty-four hours. The warrant was not issued.

Joel B. Mayes, county marshal, yesterday called in the commission of Brannon, who had been a deputy marshal. Mr. Mayes said he wanted no unpleasant comment on the men connected with his office. The fact that he let out this deputy, he said, should not be construed as meaning that he was convinced of Brannon's guilt or innocence. Mr. Mayes dictated a statement to this effect.

Labels: Captain Whitsett, crime, James Pendergast, jewelry, Judge Remley, police headquarters

March 23, 1909

THEY'RE COMING BACK AGAIN.

"Sanitary" Trash Cans Will Decor-

ate Street Corners.

"Will the committee explain what good these cans are? They obstruct sidewalks; are not beautiful to look at, and when we had them before I could see no earthly use for them."

This is what Alderman George H. Edwards said in the upper house of the council last night when the streets and alleys committee recommended the passage of an ordinance giving permission to a company headed by Michael Pendergast, brother of the alderman, to encumber the sidewalks and street corners with trash cans.

"They are sanitary, ornamental and well gotten up; they are absolutely sanitary and can't be kicked over or blown over," was the recommendation furnished for the cans by Alderman Isaac Taylor.

"Also quite convenient for clerks to empty the contents of waste paper baskets into," piped Alderman Emmet O'Malley.

"The last cans were good things to throw trash at, but never into," observed Alderman Edwards.

The ordinance was passed, the only negative vote being filed by Edwards.

In the lower house the ordinance failed of passage under suspension of the rules, but the streets and alleys committee reported it out immediately. The required eight votes were on hand to make it a law, the only objections being Alderman Darius Brown and J. G. Lapp.

Labels: James Pendergast, Kansas City council, public works

November 22, 1908

WANTS THE PEOPLE TO VOTE.

Pendergast Favors Immediate Sub-

mission of Depot Ordinance.

"The Union passenger station and freight terminal franchise is distinctly a people's proposition and it should be put up to them for settlement without further delay," said Alderman James Pendergast, yesterday. "Individually I am ready to vote Monday night to put the ordinance up to the people on the decision of the utilities commission, the legal opinion of Attorney R. J. Ingraham, and as a recognition of the splendid work done by Mayor Crittenden and the council committee in connection with the routine details of the ordinance. I realize, and my associates in the council should also realize it, that their responsibility ceases when the routine negotiations have been completed and that the people are the final arbiters in the matter. A man who has lost confidence in the people, and questions their ability to act intelligently on this matter has no business being in control.

Labels: attorney, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, Mayor Crittenden, public works, railroad

August 20, 1908

GOOD CITIZENS

LOATH TO SERVE

NOT A SINGLE VOLUNTEER FOR

ELECTION DUTY.

ONE MAN RECOM-

MENDS 28

BUT FAILED TO INCLUDE HIM-

SELF IN THE LIST.

Appeal of Election Board for Judges

and Clerks Practically Without

Result -- Still the Good

Citizen Complains.

In the election commissioners' office they have not a very high opinion about civic pride. After appealing publicly and by private letter to what Alderman James Pendergast calls the "high class business man" to volunteer for election service, needing 1,000 judges and clerks and sending out about 3,000 letters of invitation, the board has got less than 200 names.

And the names submitted are not those of 200 volunteers. Some of them recall Artemus Ward's patriotic declaration that in the interest of the welfare of the republic during the civil war he was willing to sacrifice the last of his wife's relations. Most of those people who have written to the election commissioners have suggested neighbors and acquaintances, but not one offered to serve himself. One widely known man, a rich, landed proprietor, bravely rose to the occasion by responding to the invitation by the commissioners, but while he proposed twenty-eight names he omitted his own. He signed the letter, though, as an indorsement of his list. In the list were the names of Colonel John Conover, who served his time as a patriotic citizen years and years ago, and with Colonel Conover the names of Jay H. Neff, Francis B. Nofsinger, C. D. Parker, Charles J. Schmelzer and John F. Richards were given.

"It beats the world how people will growl about the quality of the election officials and yet refuse to supply them," said Chairman J. M. Lowe. "We are glad to have this list, but we would have been more glad to have had the sender of it volunteer himself. Only one firm has sent in the list of its employes fitted to serve during election. Few are willing to be interested, and those few are not willing to volunteer. They want to make the other fellows volunteer.

The appointments must all be made by September 3. This year there is to be a brand new registration, books to be open October 6, 10 and 18, for that purpose. In order to keep down fraud the commissioners have been trying to get "high class business men" to help conduct the registration and election, but not with a flattering prospect.

Labels: James Pendergast, Mayor Neff, politics

August 10, 1908

COUNT 'EM, SAYS

PENDERGAST

FIRST WARD ALDERMAN WANTS

BALLOT BOXES OPENED.

WOULD TAKE THE LID OFF

SAYS THAT WILL DISCLOSE WHO

PERPETRATED FRAUD.

Claims That Ballots Were Cast for

Men He Favored at the Pri-

maries, but They Are Not

on the Tally Sheets.

Alderman James Pendergast of the First ward is not greatly excited over charges of alleged fraud in last Tuesday's primaries. He said last night that he does not seriously consider the charges made by John F. O'Donnell, evidently defeated candidate for county marshal, that there was fraud in the alderman's ward, the First.

"Are they crying about fraud in the Second and in the Third wards?" asked the alderman "Certainly they are not. Now, I know something 'bout things were run out in the Second ward. Why, they just voted men as they pleased, there.

"Here is something else for Mr. O'Donnell to consider. In the First precinct of the Third ward there were four good, prominent men working all day for our ticket. They brought in lots of votes and got them honestly, but not even their votes show up in the count. There wasn't a vote cast there for one of our candidates -- I mean not a vote counted."

Alderman Pendergast stated positively that he does not believe Joel Mayes, who defeated O'Donnell, wants the office if he did not win it fairly. He said May is perfectly willing for a count of the ballots and has suggested to O'Donnell that the latter contest.

"There is but one way to find out," said Alderman Pendergast. "Count the ballots. Open the ballot boxes. That is what O'Donnell should do or quit crying fraud. I don't think he will do either."

Labels: County Marshal Mayes, James Pendergast, politics

May 26, 1908

BULGER TAGGED OUT

SLIDING TO THIRD.

Shinnick's Bunt Put the Father of

the "Ladies' Days" Ordi-

nance Out.

Alderman Miles Bulger never reached the home plate with his resolution, introduced in the lower house, to compel the management of Association ball park to admit women, when accompanied by an escort, free to ball games one afternoon each week. He got as far as third base with his resolution, and there he was tagged out when Alderman Shinnick bunted toward that base. Shinnick's bunt was in the shape of an amendment to compel the management to admit women free to all games, when with a male escort.

"I accept Alderman Shinnick's knock," consented Bulger.

"These whole proceedings look a good deal like a huge joke to me," observed Alderman Pendergast. "Bulger's effort was an amusing skit, but Shinnick has made a farce of it."

Aldermen Pendergast, O'Hearn, Smith and Gilman voted against the passage of the resolution. Alderman Brown would not vote either way, "because he is a married man," and only nine other aldermen voted for it. As it lacked one vote of enough to pass, the resolution was referred to the finance committee.

In the upper house the "ladies' day" resolution fell upon rough roads. In the first place, City Clerk Clough couldnot read it, owing to the irregular way in which the lower house amendments had been interlined. He was not able to decide whether the draft asked for one day a week for women to be admitted free to the ball park, or every day in the week Both ways were in the draft.

"It is a little confusing," said Alderman Steele, following with the usual question: "Has it ben approved as to form by the city counselor?"

"From appearances, I think it must have been approved as to form by the city engineer," responded Alderman Isaac Taylor.

Alderman Bulger came over from the lower house and tried to explain his resolution.

Alderman Edwards asked to have the resolution buried in the box of the insurance patrol. Alderman Eaton fought for a vote. In the end the resolution was saved from the hostile insurance patrol and was sent to the finance committee.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, sports, women

May 3, 1908

SAYS POLICEMAN HIT HIM.

Ernest Hiatt Had Cuts on the

Back of His Head.

Ernest Hiatt, 19 years old, of 1215 Jefferson street was playing ball in the street near Fourteenth and Jefferson streets yesterday afternoon, when a park policeman ordered him to stop. The boy was sent to the Walnut street station later with two cuts on the back of his head. He said that the policeman had hit him with his club as he was about to recover the ball when the game was ordered stopped. Alderman James Pendergast was a witness, and has interested himself in the affair.

Labels: Fourteenth street, James Pendergast, Jefferson street, police, sports, Walnut street police station

April 28, 1908

USELESS OFFICE ABOLISHED.

Superintendent of Repairs Cost

$2,500 a Year, Worth Nothing.

The first move toward carrying out Mayor Crittenden's campaign promises to conduct an economical administration was made by the council last night when an ordinance was passed abolishing the office of superintendent of repairs, adding the alleged "cares" of this office to the duties of superintendent of streets. This will save the taxpayers $2,500 a year, according to Alderman Pendergast.

Labels: James Pendergast, Mayor Crittenden, public works

April 21, 1908

MR. CRITTENDEN IS

NOW THE MAYOR.

TOOK OATH OF OFFICE AT HIGH

NOON YESTERDAY.

The Ceremonies Were Witnessed by a

Large Gathering of Men and

Women in Lower House

of the Council.

Two years of municipal rule under the Democratic party became operative at 12:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when Mayor-Elect Crittenden took the oath of office as administered by City Clerk Clough, and Mayor Beardslehy took formal leave of his two years' stewardship of the city's affairs.

The inaugural ceremony was held in the lower house of the council chamber. It was preceded at the noon hour by the firing of minute guns on the outside of the hall. The chambers were decorated with the national colors, palms, ferns, plants and blossoms. The desks of the aldermen, speakers' rostrum and reading clerk stand were particularly lavishly decorated. Many of the aldermen were recipients of special floral offerings from their admiring friends, the most noticeable set pieces being a pyramid bouquet at the station of Alderman Pendergast; an immense floral horse shoe on the desk of Alderman O'Hearn from the Second Ward Democratic Club; a vase of American Beauty roses on the desk of Alderman Woolf, and a tree trimmed with lemons which were calculated to describe what had been handed the individuals and interests that had so desperately fought Woolf in the Third ward; a four leaf floral shamrock, seven feet high, was the gift to Alderman Bulger from his Fourth ward admirers.

CRITTENDEN AND BEARDSLEY.
Led by Aldermen Bulger and Bunker, Mayor-Elect Crittenden and Mayor Beardsley were escorted into the chambers. Their appearance was the signal for an outburst of applause which continued for many minutes. Mayor Beardsley's valedictory was short. He said that he had tried to discharge the duties of mayor for two years to the best of his ability and judgement, an d impressed upon his successor that he was not the mayor of any one man, faction or party, but the mayor of the whole city and wished for him abundant success. Mr. Crittenden relied that he fully realized all that his predecessor had said, that he would try to be mayor for all the people and when in doubt would seek their advice.

"Possibly, Mr. Beardsley, during my term of office I may have to go to you for advice, and I feel sure you will be pleased to extend to me the courtesies you have heretofore granted me," replied Mr. Crittenden, who then delivered his inaugural address.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, flowers, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, Mayor Crittenden, politics

April 18, 1908

17 YEARS IN THE COUNCIL.

Pendergast Enters Upon His 17th

Year in Lower House Monday.

When James Pendergast yesterday took the oath of office as alderman in the lower house from the First ward, it marked the beginning of a continuous term of service in a like capacity of seventeen years.

"Long time to be an alderman and never get in jail," observed the rotund alderman from the First as he applied his signature to the oath.

"And if I live for seventeen years more in the First," continued the alderman, "I suppose I will be still in service. It makes no difference whether the Metropolitan, the election commissioners, the police of all the other powers are against me. I have the confidence and respect of my constituency and it is by the cards that I can be alderman from the First for life. It pays to be square, and the man who coined the phrase that 'honesty is the best policy' must have had me in mind. Honesty in everything, and be true blue with your friends at all times is my platform.

"I've sweat blood for my political friends for twenty-five years, and I'll keep on sweating blood for them for twenty-five years longer if they continue on the square. A fellow for whom I sweat blood for a whole two weeks came into my place day after election, and invited me to have something.

" 'No siree,' I said to him. 'Don't want anything to do with you. If you have a dollar to spend you'll confer a favor on me by going somewhere else to spend it. I can get along better with out you than you can without me. Before election you was knocking a friend of mine on the ticket. I sent five different men after you to come and talk it over with me. You didn't come, so it's all off between you and me.' That's the way I treat all people with whom I have been on the square, but are not on the square with me."

Others who took the oaths of office yesterday were Michael Cunningham, lower house alderman from the Sixth ward; Darius A. Brown, lower house alderman from the Fifth; Edgar P. Madorie, lower house alderman from the Eleventh; E. E. Morris, lower house alderman from the Tenth; Dr. J. E. Logan, upper house alderman; Harry G. Kyle, police judge, and Cliff Langsdale, city attorney.

Labels: James Pendergast, Judge Kyle, Kansas City council, politics

April 11, 1908

PENDERGAST BACK IN TOWN.

Says He Has Been on His Farm and

Has Made No Slate.

"That's a joke about me going over to Excelsior Springs to confer with other Democrats on the making up of a slate for Mayor-Elect Crittenden to follow." said Alderman James Pendergast last night. "There isn't going to be any conference at the Springs, or anywhere else. Nothing will be doing in doling out patronage until Mr. Crittenden returns from Columbia, Mo., next week. Then we will all get together, and the boys who helped to bring about the victory on Tuesday can depend upon it; they will get a square deal. I was out to the farm today, and when I got home tonight everybody was asking about the conference."

The alderman said that all stories about anybody having been selected for this or that position could be put down as sheer "bunc," and that nothing definite will be known before next week.

Labels: employment, Excelsior Springs, James Pendergast, politics

April 8, 1908

CRITTENDEN WINS BY

LARGE MAJORITY.

MOST REMARKABLE DEMONSTRA-

TION EVER WITNESSED IN KAN-

SAS CITY TAKES PLACE WHEN

RESULT IS LEARNED.

KYLE RE-ELECTED

POLICE JUDGE.

BAEHR IS ALSO ELECTED

CITY TREASURER --

THE REST IS DEMOCRATIC

-- CRITTENDEN'S MAJORITY

1,320.

THE WINNING TICKET (Majorities).

Mayor -- Crittenden, D ..........................1,320
Police Judge -- Kyle, R ...........................2,213
Treasurer -- Baehr, R ............................1,220
Auditor -- Greene, D ..............................2,478
Attorney -- Langsdale, D .......................1,708
Upper House President, Gregory, D .....1,344

Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., Democrat, was elected mayor of Kansas City yesterday over Mayor Henry M. Beardsley, Republican, by 1,320 majority, with one precinct of the Twelfth ward missing. Harry G. Kyle, Republican, was re-elected police judge over Michael E. Casey, Democrat, and William J. Baehr, Republican, was elected city treasurer over Thomas S. Ridge, Democrat. Kyle's majority was 2,213.

The upper house Democratic ticket, with Robert L. Gregory president, elected three of its candidates, making that branch of the council still Republican. The lower house is overwhelmingly Democratic.

It was a big Democratic victory, and for the first time in four years the Democrats will be back in the city hall for a term of two years one week from next Monday.

While in the city ten days ago Attorney General Hadley warned his Republican friends that the issues advanced were false, and he quietly passed the word that if they were persisted in it could mean nothing but defeat. The result proves that Hadley was right.

Overcast clouds and intermittent showers ushered in the day. Despite the unfavorable aspect of the weather, voters were up and astir long before the break of day, and at 6 o'clock, when the polls opened, the voting places of the 164 precincts in the fourteen wards were besieged by long and patient lines of men awaiting the time and opportunity to cast their ballots.

The voting was rapid, the record in some precincts being one to the minute. Merchant, banker, professional man vied with the laborer to get to the ballot boxes.

SOME ARRESTS MADE.

In a majority of the precincts over half the total registration had been voted by noon, and from that time to the close of the polls at 7 o'clock the voting was by jerks and starts. It was stated in some of the precincts as early as 6 o'clock that all the votes that could be depended upon to be cast had been delivered, and this seemed true, for the judges, clerks and workers sat around idle.

Assertions of fraud were made during the early hours, and some arrests resulted It was charged that men had tendered money for votes, and that voters had accepted money. The early arrests of these offenders put a stop to any more such work so far as was observable, although at several times during the day Alderman Pendergast openly charged that Republicans were paying $3 a piece for negro votes in the First ward. Watchers sent into the ward by the Civic League said they had seen no vote-buying.

BUSINESS MEN REVOLT.

Up to noon the Republican headquarters felt sure of victory and the Democrats felt uneasy The first alarm was felt at 1111 Grand when the Republican precinct workers telephoned in that the noon hour vote of business men was against the Republican ticket. The excuse offered was that retail merchants were in a revolt against an evening newspaper.

The Democrats had not counted on this vote at all. As soon as they saw they were getting it they sent their runners into the stores after the clerks. With oodles of money to pay for carriages and automobiles to hurry them to their home wards, the Democrats found the store proprietors willing to let the men off to vote. It was a fully fledged rebellion in the Republican party.

As early as 4 o'clock it was announced at Democratic headquarters that the Democratic ticket was in the ascendancy. News came that Walter Dickey, Republican state chairman, had joined Mayor Beardsley in the Ninth ward, and with it came the news that negroes were beginning to vote the Republican ticket there. Dickey was understood to have wagered, for friends, about $18,000. One negro said he had been offered $8 for his vote. High as this was, $8 apiece for votes to save heavy bets would not be out of the way. There was Democratic money seen in the ward immediately. Twenty-four negroes voted the Democratic ticket straight at Fifteenth and Tracy. This looked like commercialism, but the retort was that the Republicans were at the same game. Governor Folk was hurried to the ward to see Democratic tickets voted by negroes. He expressed surprise.

There were only three fights reported at either headquarters, and both headquarters said they had heard of very little challenging. This presaged clear tally sheets, an early count and all judges signing.

ENTER CRITTENDEN, EXIT BEARDSLEY.

At 7 o'clock the mayor arrived at 1111 Grand, thinking he had squeezed through, but by 8 o'clock he admitted to a Journal man that "it looks blue." An hour later he conceded his defeat. This was while he sat in headquarters with a crowd taxing the capacity of the big hall.

Crittenden was sent for. He was not able to get to the Democratic headquarters until about 10 o'clock, just as Mayor Beardsley was leaving his own headquarters, a defeated man.

CROWDS FILL THE CITY.

The rival city chairmen, the rival candidates for mayor, the commissioners and governor Folk all admitted that there had been a reasonably fair election, marked by the absence of repeating and ruffianism. The most sensational spectacle at night was of Republicans going in squads to the Democratic headquarters to share in the demonstrations of victory. Full importance was given at the Republican headquarters to the weight the defeat will have on the Republican chances this fall, unless there is a new alignment and new issues found... while the Democrats claimed to see ahead far enough to make James A. Reed United States senator. Reed arrived at his headquarters about 10 o'clock. He was called on for a speech and made one from his automobile. He congratulated the entire party upon its success as an organization as a whole, but credited the enormous majority, by comparison, to the opposition of an evening newspaper. When afterwards Mr. Reed went past Eleventh and Grand on his triumphal tour, his car was halted and once more he was compelled to make a speech. He repeated what he had said at Democratic headquarters. From there he went to The Journal office, arriving just as two Democratic bands and processions met, one from Democratic headquarters, traveling from the west, and another form the Sixth ward, headed by the Italian band, coming from the east. The meeting was unexpected and most dramatic. From The Journal the crowd went back to Democratic headquarters and at midnight it was roving about the city.

Labels: Eleventh street, Fifteenth street, gambling, Governor Folk, Grand avenue, Herbert Hadley, James A. Reed, James Pendergast, Judge Kyle, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, music, politics, Robert Lee Gregory, The Journal, Tracy avenue

November 12, 1907

ALDERMAN PENDERGAST

"GETTING TIRED."

"I Am Getting Tired of This Utilities Controversy"

-- Alderman Pendergast in the Council

Meeting Last Night.

Here is a note of cheer for the friends of a Public Utilities commission from an unexpected source. When Alderman Pendergast begins to display signs of weariness it is then time for the fighters on the other side to "buck up" and put new spirit in the game. Not meaning, of course, that as long as Alderman Pendergast holds out there is no use to contend against him, or that he can hold the fort in the Lower House against all comers, or that he is invincible, or anything of that kind; but meaning, nevertheless, that he does cut considerable ice in the Council and in local politics, and that it is more encouraging to the cause inviting his opposition to see him inclined to capitulate than to witness a disposition on his part to persist in an attitude of defiance, even when he knows and the public knows that such a position is futile.

In short, it foreshadows something when Alderman Pendergast gets tired and proposes to quit. And more indicative, by far, is such a confession coming from a man who is husky and tenacious than would be that style of admission by a "welcher" who is given to squealing before he is hurt. Of this latter breed Alderman Pendergast is not a sample. It is only fair to him to say that he is "nervy" on any reasonable margin, and that his instinct and habit is to play the game as long as he can see anything in it.

But you may have noticed that this sort of pluck is not to be confounded with the foolish temerity that leads men to batter up their heads against stone walls. It is habitually combined with the brand of shrewdness that causes even the most obstinate fighters to know when they have had enough and to realize when they are up against a losing proposition.

Alderman Pendergast, we must remember, has been in the Council for seventeen consecutive years. This means that he is no slouch of a politician. It indicates that he keeps his fingers on the pulse of his constituency, so to speak. He is engaged in a business which brings him in touch with the people who send him to the Council, and he must have learned that wage earners and the common run of voters are not going to pay onerous tribute to the corporations -- if they know it -- for the mere sake of politics. In the wards of all the Aldermen in the Lower House who are fighting for the corporations, the people are directly concerned in good service by the Public Utilities at a fair price. You can't convince people who know enough to live in Kansas City, that is is sane or reasonable to sacrifice their own interests to those of the corporations. Groves and Bulger and Woolf and Launder and others seem to think you can. But don't forget that the man who talks about getting tired, knows more politics and can see farther ahead than all of the other corporation allies in the Lower House, and it may be suspected, too, that he had found out that there are other folks whom he sees frequently and talks with "close down" who are "getting tired" also.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, James Pendergast, Kansas City council

June 9, 1907

PENDERGAST SEES THE MAYOR.

They Talked About Fishing, It Is

Said, for Over an Hour.

"Mornin', mayor."

"Glad to see you, alderman. Step right in."

This was the greeting at an early hour yesterday morning in the outer office of Mayor Beardsley between the mayor and Alderman Pendergast. It has become such an unusual thing about the city hall to see the big alderman from the First within a stone's throw of the executive's department that the visit created quite a stir. Moreover, the interest was intensified when the mayor drew the alderman into his private office and closed the door after him. Immediately the story spread from the attic to the basement of the building that Pendergast and the mayor were conferring over police matters, and everybody strained their utmost to find out what was transpiring. But the door was sealed, and so were the lips of the mayor and Pendergast after the end of an hour's conference.

"Just a call from the alderman about some pending lower house of the council legislation, and which drifted into a social chat," explained the mayor.

"What did you talk about?"

"Farming in Kansas. You know the alderman has a ranch over there -- fishing and a smattering of politics."

"Nothing concerning the police investigation?"

"Pendergast isn't interested in that, is he?" innocently interrogated the mayor.

It is well understood that Alderman Pendergast doesn't want to see the political buccaneers drive Chief Hayes from his job, and the dope given out by those on the inside was that the visit to the mayor by Pendergast was to intercede for his friend. He verified the mayor's fish story.

Labels: city hall, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, Police Chief Hayes

May 6, 1907

FOUND DEAD IN A SHED.

Patrick Pendergast, Cousin of the

Alderman, Dies Suddenly.

The body of Patrick Pendergast, a laborer, 35 years old, was found by a neighbor in a shed in the rear of his home, 616 Southwest boulevard, yesterday forenoon. The deceased was a cousin of Alderman Pendergast. The coroner was summoned. Death was due to natural causes.

The man was unmarried and had lived in Kansas City all of his life. A sister, mrs. Margaret Holmes, of Chicago, will come to Kansas City today to take charge of the body.

Labels: death, James Pendergast, laborer, Southwest boulevard

April 5, 1907

IN THE PUBLIC ROW

DISCHARGES MAY BE MADE IN

VOTE ON COMMISSION

PENDERGAST TO THE FORE

DARES MAYOR TO PROBE AND

IGNORE CITY HOSPITAL.

A new phase has arisen in the police row. Despite Governor Folk's known vexation over the retention of Captain Weber, based upon Mayor Beardsley's written opinion, which the governor has, it is predicted when the commissioners vote this week on the question of recommissioning the superiors, Commissioner Rozzelle will vote as he did on the day of the trial, to clear him. What Governor Folk will then do remains to be seen. The mayor's opinion, which was published in the Journal, said that the evidence showed that Captain Weber lived in a block which he owned, and that there was a gambling room in it for months, which was equipped with push buttons and other signals. The mayor, discussing the seeming conflicting opinion and vote, and answering the question whether he would reverse himself or stand pat, said yesterday that he thought he would veto again as he did at the trial.

"I gave the captain the benefit of the doubt," said the mayor. "I remember we went into the question exhaustively. I do not think I shall reverse myself."

Commissioner Rozzelle was strongly opposed to any reflection being cast upon the headquarters captain at the trial, so it is not likely he will turn about unless the mayor does.

THE CITY HOSPITAL AGAIN

"They dare not do it," said Alderman Pendergast yesterday, speaking of the investigation. "The mayor dare not do it, he dare not investigate the police unless he investigates the city hospital. I am not the man to start trouble, but if I have to throw the administration's city hospital onto the mayor to keep him from making trouble for the police, I am in for doing it this time. Take a peep under the lid at the hospital and you will decide that the police and the detectives are a department of saints. They mayor dare not investigate the one without investigating the other. I am not screening crooks. If there are grafters on the department, find them and find them quick, but find those in other departments, too, while you are at it."

Alderman Pendergast for many years was the main support of the police department. He is now being called into service again and yesterday was industriously at work in behalf of the department.

The commissions of all the superiors, including Chief Hays and Inspector Halin, expired yesterday. The men will be serving legally until they are recommissioned or their successors are appointed to relieve them. Inspector Halpin is said to be withholding his resignation solely because men in his department are under fire. He is said to have made $50,000 in the last five years as a partner with his brother, James Halpin, in the contracting business, and has been wanting to give his whole time to that business for some months. Now that he is under charges of running his department loosely he is hesitating about resigning, but his friends are saying for him that he would no more than thank the board for a new commission.

BEARDSLEY MAY DECIDE.

When the commissioners meet tomorrow morning it will be to talk over the reorganization. Commissioner Gallagher will be for postponing everything till the governor can come, as he has said he will. Commissioner Rozzelle will favor issuing new commissions at once. They mayor will have the deciding vote. He favors Chief Hayes and on the day of the trial of the cases of Detective Kenney and Huntsman said "they are two of our best men. Accordingly it is possible that the mayor may vote to recommission.

Commissioner Gallagher said yesterday he did not think there would be an investigation. "It is a joke to think the policemen would testify against their superiors. The Latcham case shows what would happen to them if they did. They would get on the stand and tell nothing, or worse than nothing. We know enough now to decide whether new commissions ought to be issued. It will not take me long to decide. I know what the governor wants. I think Mr. Rozzelle knows, too.

Labels: Commissioner Rozzelle, corruption, detectives, Governor Folk, hospitals, James Pendergast, Mayor Beardsley, police board

March 18, 1907

MR. PENDERGAST REFLECTS.

Then He Gives His Impression of the

Missouri Legislature

"So they are going to call an extra session!" said the proprietor of the First ward, yesterday. "If I had my way I would put forth one billand that wou ld be to abolish the legislature for ten years. Then I would make the next legislature do nothing but repeal laws. Once in ten years is enough.

"They did pretty well this time," continued Mr. Pendergast. "They abolished capital punisment, by leaving it to the jury to decide, and anybody knows there is always one man in twelve who will stop a verdict if he can. This one law will make Missouri a lynching state. Anybody knows what will happen as soon as the people read the juries are refusing to hang men who assault women.

"In its ignorance the legislature tried to disfranchise 70 per cent of the voters in my ward, and 40 percent of the voters in the entire city. One of the senators, whose name is not worth mentioning, came out with a bill to require a primary election, those to vote at it being the legally registered voters. That would mean that next spring only those would be allowed to vote in Kansas City at the same place they lived when they registered last fall. That was brilliant. Mike Casey killed that bill and I am going to send him to the senate next time for that. We need him there."

Telling how the experts had tried to jockey a primary bill through the legislature Alderman Pendergast said that he and Election Commissioner Lowe had drafted one, but that it had been turned down.

"They would not take the bill two sensible, common people drafted," said the boss of the river wards. "What they wanted was a bill that the lawyers could draw up and all of them fight over. They had seven lawyers draw up the bill and all seven had different views. I could hire forty-five lawyers to interpret Cooper's bill, and all of them would have different opinions. If it was not for that, how could the lawyers make a living? We fixed the bill, anyhow."

Labels: death penalty, First ward, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, politics