St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-17
AnBrTToys soRRt

How often does yaulting ambition over
leap iiselfi Men rashly tempt their ruin by
entering the political arena to the neglect OF
their private business. The ephemeral, and
mparativeley valueiess distinction of be-
ing Governor Of a State, is often siriven for,
at The expense of private fortune. Here is a
case in point. r. NJ. Bishop was a successful
and opulent wholesale grocery merchant in
Cincinnati. He was reckoned among the mil
lionaries. His great fortune caused grasping
politicians to whisper in his ears the deslra-
biiity and possibility Of achieving Guberna-
torial honors, that they might bleed him
financially the more successfully. He accep-
ted the glittering proposition. He was nomi-
mated for Governor, entered the canvass with
vigor, contributed largely to the campaign
fund. and was elected. AS he proudly sat in the
Executive Chamber. exercising the functions
OF chief magistrate Of the state, his large bus
mess in Cincinnati was neglected; its man
agement was left to other aud unskIllful
hands, embarrassment ensued, and before
bis Gubernatorial term expired he was q
bankrupt merchant. And now IN his old
age, be is left destitute, striving for a pre-
carious existence. He was seen on the streets
Of Lexington, KY, the other day peddling
cigars for a livelihood. What 10 him are now
worth his former Gubernatorial honorsl
They are sadly extinguished by his financial
misfortunes and ruin, and his remembered
Governorship is now no badge of honor, but
the reverse. A newspaper correspondent,
writing from Lexington, KY, INDUCES
plaintively in a narrative that is only too
suggestive Of the wreck and sorrow that was
wrought in this case and that had its paral-
ell in thousands of other instances.
saw eK-Gov. Bishop of Ohio on the street
here few days since with a sample ease in his
hand, trying TO sell some cigars. IL made me
sorry that was not in the cigar trade for II I
was, aud his goods came anywhere near shifting
my customers, should buy from him in prefer
ence 10 any one else. The sight was provocative
of sadness to me, and hurried by without stop
ping to speak 10 the OLD gentleman, for 1 could
not change his condition, and did not wish my
mind TO dwell on IL.
say the sight provoked sadness in me, and so
it did. Not because / think the occupation OF
travelling salesman or drummer IL IN any way de-
grading, for IL is honest and legitimate calling
in which no one need be ashamt TO engage
Nor was IL because thought there was any sac
rifce OF dignity on the part OF Gov. Bishop in
engaging In it. 1t was creditsble that he should
his hands and become charge on others, and
honored him for il.
But still was sorry that he had TO do H. I
thought what poverty is; l know what the con-
slant strain of having TO seek ones daily bread
by his daily labor is, and i know how hard il is
10 feed the little mouths and eloihe the little
forms that are dependent upon the father for
every morsel and every shred. j have fought
with these wild beasts at Ephesus, and. still do
battle with them daily after the manner Of men.
though mayhaplt prodte:h me nothing. But
look forward more or less hopefully TO the time
when in old age can rest and let my days 90
out In peace und'sturbed by oarking cares about
next weeks market money. The time may never
come. but wish il wonld come 10 every man
whose three-score years have passed.
X. NJ. Bishop has been a prominent man here
as well as at his home in Cincinnati. AS one OF
the leading men in his church he became presi-
dent Of the board Of curators Of Kentucky Uni
versity, believe from its organization. At all
times he took a lively interest in its welfare and
spared no pains or trouble 20 advance its inter.
ests. His has been familiar figure here for
many years, and he has had warm friends and
ardent well wishers on all sides among the peo-
pie. His great wealth did not make him purse
proud. nor his official position tempt him TO be
hanghty. While Governor OF Ohio and presi-
dent Of our university he was still the same sim
pie, unaffected Christian gentleman he would
have been had his station been humble and
means limited. Misfortune came and he failed
in business. suppose he must have made an
honest failure, else he would not 70 day he trav-
cling selling cigars by sample. II is honorable
and commendable In the old gentleman 10
knuekle down to work, but wish be had his
fortune back, and II the prayers OF one poor sin
ner for his success would avail. he would not
have leng to wait until he did have il back.