The Placer herald., 1855-09-22
Anecdote of Silas Wright.

"A gentleman, VINO during the lie time OF
Mr. Wright was one Of his most intimate
and confidential friends, related to us few
days ago the following incident of his life,
an incident which shows clearly the HIGH
moral principle by which that great and good
man was ever governed, in both private and
public affairs.
While a member Of the Senate Of New
York, many years ago, there were several
applications for bank charters, some Of them
for institutions with large capital and
whose friends were urging the passage Of the
bills with vehemence, and system Of lobby
ing was brought into requsition, scarcely in
ferior to the present highly perfected state OF
the profession. On one occasion. a promi-
nent member of the Assembly, and either
then or subsequently Speaker Of the House,
was walking arm-in-arm with Mr.. Wright,
when the following conversation, in sub
stance passed between them:
Member am told Mr.. Wright. that
you have never acquired a fortune but are in
moderate circumstances
Mr.. Wright.-You are correct | have
never found time to devote especially to
making money, and besides am not perhaps
SO much attached to property as most men.
Mem-But you would not dislike to be
rich and in prosperous circumstances!
Mr.. W.-No; on the contrary, it would
afford me pleasure to have a competency, be
lieving that | could use it prudently, and in
such manner as to benefit others as well as
myself.
Menu think | could put you in the way
pf nf = - l.
but adopt my suggestions.
Mr.. WI should feel greatly obliged to
you for any suggestion, which would enable
me to acquire honestly, such an amount.
Mem-Well, then, you know that the
bank bills will be up in the Senate to-lnor-
row. We have been canvassng, and find
the vote likely to be very close. know
your opposition to them, and your determin-
alton to defeat them. Now, if YOU could
manage to be unwell and to be detained from
your seat when the question is taken, have
no doubt some Of my friends would do some
thing handsome, and rather think it would
be $4,000.
Mr.. W.-Qndignantly dropping the arm
OF the member) Sir am astonshed. You
have said enough Sir | wish to hear no
more If my life is spared, | shall be in my
seat to vote against the bills
Mr.. Wright said that such an impression
was made on his mind, by the conversation,
that he was too nervous to sleep soundly, and
that one time in the night, he awoke and
found himself walking about the room, in a
state of nervous excitement. In the morn
ing he ate a very light breakfast, fearing it
might cause him to be sick, and half an hour
before the meeting Of the Senate, he was in
his seat, impatientIy waiting for the oppor-
tunty to record his VOTE as judgment and
honesty dictated.
such was the principle which controlled
the actions of Mr.. Wright i'll all his public
and private relations His success is record
ed in history, while the person who had the
temerity, to attempt to swerve him from the
path of recttude. although a man of fine
talents, and popular manners, fell prey to
dissipation. and after removing from his
country residence to the city Of New York,
died an inglorious death. We could give
his name, but prefer to withhold it out Of
regard for the feelings of his friends.