Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-25
NGNEYBlGS IN POLITICS.

NSNEI blIN IN fOLilit
A notable instance OF the power of money
bags in American lolhics Is afforded by the
career Of cx-C0rgrcssmau Roswell L. Flower
of New York MI Flower, few years ago
was enjoying the elegant Oh curity Of prl-
v.te lite in WGtcrtDwn, n. Y, and piling
W the honest dollars rs a jeweller and dealer
IN Waterbury watches at $3.50
aud chain thrown in. Suddenly, aud |
Wilton. pcyious watning, he was called |
upou ~ pnlclgb terrible aihiction. His
father iu-lnw, Mr. Keep a well-known Wal
street stock broker, died, leaving II large
estate ana nominating Mr. Flower as his exc
cator Then every boy in Watcriown OBJ
famed u nick watch at greatly reduced
ratee, ard the genial rud popular jcwcller
packed his valjse aud started for New York
Hero he managed his cXccutorship 81 sue
| cussfuly that some million Of the
casaway dollars of Mr.. Keep came
safely TO poit in his pocket. lie then
made some highly fortunate ventures
upon the sea Of speculation, aud speedily in
creased his modest little million to five.
About this time the Democratic party was
put to straits for Il candidate TO OPP
pose the Republican party's wealthy young
| Mr.. Astor. 1t was not necessary that
this candidate should possess su alarm
ing surplus Of either brains or
political fitness, but it was necessary that his
moneybags should be plump and that ambi-
ton should hold the neck string Of the sack
The Democratic party naturally eEough turned
to Wall street for such man, and after rap.
ping at nearly every door in the exchange
they found man busily engaged IN clipping
on coupons and otherwise rolling in wealth,
and him they pitched upon at venture. The
choice was a fortunate one. The ambitious
Democratic Flower, no longer compelled to
waste its sweetness on the desert air sub
mltted to the scvcrcst pinching with CRATE
full cQuauinity, ard after having exuded
some 100000 Of fragrance, triumphed
over It's Republican rival and wa
transplan,cd to Washington Hencefortt
changed. lie lived only for political prefer
ment. His duclts were Of value only as they
contributed to this ovcrmastering ambition
Ike conceived the idea OF aspiring to the
chief magstracy of the nation, and imme
datty began TO lay his plans to this end
With business.iikc tact, he divided the House
. into squads OF dozen each, and proceeded Il
dine and wine elch SOUND in succession unit
every member Of the honorable Hous,
had seen the under side Il his inlaid table
So far s. god. He was voted prince o! goot
fellows, aui il was even affirmed in privst,
that there was more hilarty and eXpcnsiv,
enjoyment at orc Of his little suppers thar
, al congressional funeral.
The Hon. me.aber now proceeded TO writ
up few first class speeches on current de
bates, and having delivered them with eclat
, he judicinuslY stepped down and out, ant
with characteristics NO lesty hale farewell t.
He kEew when 70 leave off One term i
~ Congress WIS all lie wanted. Ii was not tina
= h. loved his country less, hut that he loved tn
- Hon Roswell p Flower more. He hal nov
J. & good f3o'Lyld % stand on us Presidents
! csnliia,c. lie never could have bette
reclcd in Congress, His memory was Sill
y as t. sweet giypr in the n0strs of his frllo,
y members. II was no~ ar n"vey
I These were TIE coast lerAtions which in
duccd the Hem F.pw,r IN pose as chic
j magistrate 4 these United States
n He is sliIl posing lie ras Il power
u ful literary bureau at work for hin
$ AMI his monthly d !ycriising bll foots u
II aboni 5000 Lydia Pinkhsm succeeded
T. this gay-why should not Roswell p, Flower
l. Money bags have done good deal for hi
l. So far; why should they not do more? I'll
$ sublime confidence of this self-madc cand
= date must OF itself have some weight with
Id discouraged party. Let the Democrats marc
j. two by two urdcr Mr.. Flowers siken bai
vi ner, and who knows bat what next insug,
J. ration. day shall see grand evacuation pr,
u cession in Washington, and the gelcral of Il
IL Republican forces handing the sword
10 State to 4 little man from Wall street, wi
IL came up to see the fun.