Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-22
NEW YORK LETTER.
he MIGHT KAvK BEEN IN cLSvRLAsps
sn0Es,
ths Wire Tsngls-Gambling at Saratoga
Doctors andLawysrs In Wall Street
A Romance.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch,


NEW YORK, July 81, 1888.
There is n man in this town whose
history is almost rs remarkable rs that
Of President Cleveland's The rapid
rise Of the President from an unfinished
term as mayor Of Buffalo 10 the gov
ernorship OF New York State, and from
an unfinished term in that Office to the
presidency has been and undoubtedly
always will be a source OF wonder and
remark.
The man Of whom speak is just such
character as this, and even more remark
able in that lac unwiitincly cast aside ex-
nctly that opportunity whichsot the Pre-
Fidcnt we'll upon the road 10 advance
,nent His name is John G. SheelSsn, At
present the secretary OF the Aqueduct
Commissioners st a salary OF $4,000 n
year he is tall, welcomed man,
with plain but attractive face, which is
marked 10y n good-natured expression by
no means concealed by an unusually
heavy brown moustAche. He walks by
tho aid Of heavy cane, for the lower
portion OF one Of bis legs is artificial.
Thereby bangs the brief but striking
story Of his career.
Mr.. Sheohan Was denied all tho ordi-
nary advantages Of education in his
yonth, and when he came % be twenty
years OF Rge il was said that be conld
neither read nor write. ne was gifted
with good natural intelligence, and was
industrious and faithful IN his work. At
that time be was an elevator boy in a
big building Ia Buffalo. One day there
was an accident in the elevator ,hatt.
il resulted in the bresking OF Mr.. Shee-
hans leg. II had 20 be arnDuiated. For
long time he WAS confined in The hos
pital, and be tsek advantage Of the idle
ness imposed upon kim to learn 10 read
and write. 1t was while ne was still pre-
vented from active employment 10y the
accident that be was thrust into politics.
The Democrats OF Shsshan's ward were
puzzled TO select a candidate for assessor.
Three Germans were discussing the hope
less situation. for the ward and Buffalo
also were overwhelmingly Republican.
Presently ono OF them said: "Let MS
nominate poor John Sheehsn." The
other two approved the idea MORE with
view 10 complimeRting and eneoursg
ing the unfortunate young man than
with any hope Of eloctiug hin even il
tUcy could nominate him. When
tho word convention was held these
three voted for MIR. Sheekan The
name was received at first with sur
prise. but on tho second ballet one or
two other votes were added to his little
tally. and before the convention vas half
aware of it, It had nominated him for the
position. Having once committed itself
g. his candidacy. the party in tho ward
went 10 work with will, and on account
Of the young mans personal popularity
and the high respect IN which he was
held no was elected. IL was undoubt
cdlv great surprise to all concerned,
e. the successful candidate az wei, MS 10
tho unsuccessful and 10 The political
workers who managed the different can
vases.
STUDYING LAW.
Mr.. Sheohan was elected for three
years. The duties Of the Office were not
onor0us 90 IA man who had been in the
habit Of working ten. twelve, aud four
teen hours day. snd with Characteristic
enterprise Mr. Sheehan set about pre-
pairing himself for occupying a high sta
ton IN life when his term of Office should
be concluded. lie had learned to read
aud write and had read books and papers
Noraciously since he acquired his new ac-
cOmplishment. During the three years
Of his assctsorship he applied himself as
iuousy to the study of law, and as
soon as his term expired be was admitted
4 the bar. He ut once began practice
and easily secured a paying clientage.
Meantime lie kept active in politics, aud
fn a city that casts several thousand Re
publican majority as "a rule lac was
elected comptroller by a majority of
four thousand running as he did upon
the Democratic ticket.
In 1881, when the Democrats Of the
city we're casting about for n candidate
for mayor, a great many Of them de-
c.dod that Mr. Sheohsn would be the
most available candidate In that year
there were various outside reasons why
the Republicans seemed to have an ad-
vantage over the Democrats Therefore.
when the nomination for mayor was
offered to Mr.. Shcehsn he declined IT. |
Next TO Mr.. Sheohhn IN personal popu- |
laritv and IN the respect OF the commu- |
nifty WAS Grover Cleveland, and Mr. |
Cleveland received the nomination. |
MIR Shechan turned in with bis Demo
cratic allies and worked heartily for tho |
shcrltfs election, and, as every body |
knows, thew succeeded. Within year
more Cleveland had been nominated for |
Governor.
1t may seem surprising that having |
started so magniticently IN Buffalo poll
( cs Mr.. Sheehan should have Loft the |
city 10 take a clerical position in the New |
y ork Commission, but that was due also |
80 an accident in politics. When the |
State Democracy had nominated Mr. /
Cleveland for Governor the party IN |
Buffalo put up Mr.. Sheohsn for county
clerk. bis election was regarded ne
foregone conclusion, and that part
Of the community which in
duiges IN betting upon elections
Jut their money up on his chances at
the ratio OF three 10 one IN his favor.
livery Democrat in that part OF the
State was aroused 10 unusual activity 10y
reason of the fact that for once there
was a candidate for the goyerBorship
from that district but that fact led tho
Democrats TO concentrate their power
upon the election of Cleveland, and 1t
therefore happened that Mr.. Sheehan's
received little attention. For
one thing, It was not believed that he
needed any especial attention, and
for another, sad o. say, direct effort
was made sgainst him by his
allies With view by the trading Of votes
10 secure more ballots for Cleveland and
also to take "a little OF the conceit out
Of Mr.. sheehsn. Those who know Mr.
and have noted his unusually
modest demeanor cannot but be surprised
At that attitude of his allies until they
recall that success always makes enemies
Tor n man. II Is vain TO snalyze the
,suses OF political effect. MIR. Shoehsn
vas defeated.
lie had contributed heavily from his
own funds to the campaign, and having
entered INTO politics 10 hee1tent giving
up a large portion of his legal practice, he
l. I