New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-21
BrTLEFS POLICY OF SUCCESS.

There was once a man who acquired hand
some fortune by following unfinchlng,y a
simple policy in real-estate speculation. lie
would buy house in an emlnently respect
able neighborhood and at once proceed to con-
vert it into public nuisance. His neighbors
would mt first protest, then threaten. and finally
buy him of by giving him his own price fer
his house, So soon as he had sold he would
buy again in another respectable neighbor
hood and repeat the operation. BY strict at
tention to this kind of business he was able to
retire on fine competence at the end of a few
years. He did not take with him into retire
ment any considerable amount OF the respect
of his fellow men, bat he had won success,
and that was his sole ambition.
There are many things about the political
course of Governor Batter in Massachusetts
which recall the career of this peculiar specu
latnr. The Governor appears to have imbbed
a notion that if he can make himself a public
nuisance to all the respectable classes of Mas
sachusetts his political success will be assured.
He has been conducting his administration
on that basis, and with considerable success.
There are few respectable people or institutions
in the State that lie has not assailed, aad ut
every fresh attack the rag-tag and bOb-tail of
politics have yelled with increased delight.
." He is our man." they shout, " for he is so
awfully disreputabe." When the Harvard
Overseers refused the customary degree for
the Governor, he and his friends declared
themselves delighted, because the refusal
would make the Governors political fortune.
How it was going to make it did not appear,
but subsequent developments have shown sew
4. a.. u knu ,Iau
orcd to help it along. When in accordance
with her regular custom Williams College in
vited the Governor TO attend her commence
ment, the fact was promptly sent over the
country as being "rebuke TO Harvard" A
few days ago strong pressure was suddenly
brought to bear upon Dartmouth to induce her
to confer q degree of LID. upon the Governor,
also rs "rebuke for Harvard The pressure
was accompanied by a mysterious intmation
that such action by Dartmouth would be likely
to add $40, 900 to her funds.
Now comes the information that the Cover
nor has received the usual formal invitation
from Harvard to attend her commencement on
the 27th, and that, while lie knows he was not
expected to accept it, he has accepted it and
will attend the exercises in order TO make it as
uncomfortable as possible for the college au-
thorities. He is sure nobody wants him to at
tend, and that is the very reason why lac has
accepted. He will not only be present, but it is
intimated that he will find opportunity to
administer a humilating rebuff to the au-
thorities who voted against his degree. His
friends claim with delight that he will be the
chief figure in the exercises, and he probably
will. Almost any other man in the world would
avoid prominence of that kind. The man who
is ridden on rail and the orator who is
pelted with over-rIpe eggs are also the " chief
figures" in those exercises, but their eminenco
has not usually been considered desirable one.
Still, if Butler goes to the Harvard COM
mencement and makes things generally dis
agreeable for all respectable people there as
sembled, it will undoubtedly increase his popu-
larity with all Of his followers, who think that
the ideal statesma.,is half-and-half combina-
ton of clown and rowdy.