The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-01-20

There is no more interesting figure
in the House Of Congress than the
millionaire representative from New
Jersey, William Walter Phelps, who,
like many other men Of wealth, finds
In the discussion Of public questions a
diversion more agreeable than Is fur.
nished by their private affairs. Phelps
who Inherited wealth, has in his time
been lawyer, railway promoter, diplo-
mat, politician and Congressman. He
likes stirring occupation such as the
game of politics affords, and he once.re-
fused . judgship rendered by Governor
Fenton, Of New Jersey. because he did
not want to confine his sphere to the
business Of untangling legal intrica-
cies. In 1881 he was app ointed minis
ter to Austria and accepted. It was
but q few months, however, until the
formalities and ventionalities which
the: position entailed became irksome
and monotonous to him, and he re-
signed to enter the more congenial and
exhilarating atmosphere Of American
politics.
Like all public en- Phelps is better
known by certain peculiarities than
anything else. The wits and para
graphers have had 90 much to say
about his 'bangs" that they have be-
come as famous as Ben Buffers droop-
ing eyelid, Luke Poland's silver but
toned coat, Tom Ochiltree's cross eyes.
This mild affection, together with a
certain softness of speech, invariably
impresses stranger with the idea that
Phelps is putting it on" The idea is
an incorrect one. Phelps combs his hair
over his forehead to conceal the scanti-
ness of his locks, though this device
does not serve to hide the enlarging
bald spot on the crown of his head.
What is. regarded as a1ecttaion in his
speech is really natural, and his adj
dresses are polished, shrewd and sound
He can see as far into a milestone as
anybody, and he enjoys the lively
skirmishes which Congressional dis
cussi0ns afford. When "Jim" Belford
who gloried in the title of the Red
headed Rooster of the Rockies" was
representing Colorado in Congress, he
had pick at Phelps and made the
famous declaration that mo man who
banged his hair could run the republic
can party" However, Belford is now
in obscurity while Phelps is in the
President making business.
Phelps disllkes the routine work of
politics, and has a man employed by
the year to keep him posted on all pO-
litical changes. He uses this mans
information as sort of animated ref
erence book, and does not bother his
own memory for anything of this ma
ture. In the political maneuveriDg
on the floor Of the House Phelps atti-
tude is significant owing to the fact
that he is regarded as close personal
friend of James G. Blaine. Phelps is
supposed to look after Blaine's interests
IN the House, while Hiscock does the
same in the Senate. It Is not a violen.
presumption to assume that Mr. Phelps
would receive distinguished honors
should Mr.. Blaine have the opportun-
ity to confer them.
Phelps makes his home at Engle-
wood, New Jersey. He is forty-eight
years old. His wealth has been re-
ported as fabulous. In fact he was
worth at one time from $1,000, 900 to
So, COZ, 600 but unfortunate investments
in Texas railroads made tremendous
inroads upon his wealth. Gould
him heavily on the Missouri
Pacific deal, and his wealth at present
can safely be assumed to be from a
million and a half 10 two million dol.
lara