The expression Espee has been in common use for a long time. Here is an article from The Imperial Valley Press, Number 49, 14 March 1908.

"The report that Walter Parker has "retired from politics" is discussed by some California papers with seriousness and volubility out of all proportion to its importance. One paper says, with owlish gravity: "The retirement of Parker would be of momentous importance to the politics of California. He has been a factor in the Republican party as big as any man has ever attained. His methods have at times been ruthless and he has made many an official cower before him. State officials have been brought to their knees before him." And more of the same sort, and all of it clotted nonsense. Parker is a drudge of the railroad machine, a lackey to the crafty lawyers doing Espee politics, a herder of crooks and squalid roustabouts, a "Boss" created by the fool press and deriving his power and influence from the damnable iteration In print of that title as a handle to his name. It is not of the slightest consequence whether Parker or some other hired man does the railroad's dirty work. The State official who would go on his knees to Parker would "crook the pregnant hinges" with equal alacrity to Harriman's hat set upon a pole, and "Hungry Joe" would be as big a factor in the Republican party as the fat man of Los Angeles, if he carried Espee credentials in his pocket.

The retirement of Parker is meaningless. When the Southern Pacific retires from politics and confines its activities to the business which it is empowered by its charter to do, there will be something worth discussing."

Emphasis added for clarity. Lots of references and expressions in there that I would have to ask about...