The Portland daily press., 1888-03-23
ONCE A PENNILESS PAGE.
career of "Riii'' Scott, of Pennsyl-
vania, MannIng's Political Heir.
Washington Correspondence st. Louis Globe
namoaraf

washington correspondence ot. LOUIS diobe
Democrat.l
1t is understood by Cleveland's friends
that Mr. Scott is to have charge of Cleve-
lands presidential boom, and for that reason
he win be an important figure in national
politics for the next few months. Mr.. Scott
has succeeded to the place in President
Cleveland's affections once held by Dan
Manning, and the President makes no move
without first consulting him. He is con-
slant visitor at the White House, and he per-
forms many ad varied missionary labors-
In appearance he is slender and of medium
height His head is large and well poised.
His eyes are gray and deep set. A thick
mustache covers firm mouth. His face is
strong and intellectual looking. He. dresses
in fashionably.cut clothing, usually in sack
tion his face is animated. He listens to
every word uttered and replies in short,
sharp sentences. He is most agreeable
correspondent, and is one of the best in
formed politicians in the country.
Anything butpolitics, The said tome once.
II never talk politics with any one. I'll dis
cuss any question you may suggest but that.
Scott's career has been most remarkable.
1t reads like romance. He Is not quite 60
years of age, is one OF the wealthlest men IN
us
have a seat in the Cabinet If he so desired,
vet thirty years ago he was fish peddlar in
Erie, Pa, He was born and reared in poverty
and frankly says he knows but very little OF
his early life. When he was In his teens he
was made page in the House of Represen-
tatives. He made many friends. The mem
ber from Erie took a deep interest in the little
fellow, and when Congress adjourned for
the summer, asked him what he was going
to do. =.
any home, or any place to CO."
And so it came that the kind-nearted Con-
gressman took the lad home with him. He
was put to work as shipping clerk on the
wharves of his employer. who was at that
time one of the principal owners OF the now
almost lost shipping of the Western lakes.
He worked hard and well. He did anything
that came to hand from keeping books to ped !.
ding fish, He studied hard and saved money.
and along about 1850 he got an opportunity
to engage for himself in the shipping busi-
ness. Whatever he touched turned to gold.
He was soon recognized as bright fellow,
aud was given many a helping hand. He
fell in love with and married wealthy
young lady. His wife was sister of Frank
D.Tracy, of the Stock Exchange here. and at
the time of his death President of the
Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
Tracy helped his new brother-in-law to make
valuable friends among the solid men OF
Gotham, He became acquainted with Sam
uel j. Tilden, when that willy old man was
making his fortune in railroads, and the
friendship lasted until Tilden's death The
late Commodore Vanderbilt also took deep
interest in his welfare, and let him into
more than one big transaction on the ground
floor. He became interested in the manu-
facture of iron and the mining. Oh coal, as
well as the construction of railroads. He
owns anthracite mines in Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, and as either President or
Director he controls over o. 600 miles of rail-
road, probably the largest number Of miles
managed by one man in the world.
That is how the lad who was once a page
in the House made his vast fortune. He has
served faithfully in Congress, too. In the
very place where thirty-six years ago he was
apenniless page he now sits as representa-
tive. He Is one OF the leaders of his party,
and the most trusted adviser of the Admin
istration.
In Erie he lives in regal style. He owns a
large magnificent mansion, surrounded by
all that good taste can suggest and money
purchase. For years he owned one of the
best racing stables in the world, but of late
he has giving up racing, he is fond of a
good horse however, and delights in driving
In Washington Mr.. Scott and his family cut
wide swath, and when in New York, where
by the way they come FftSy yeEy often the finest
placed at their disposal. He has two .daugh-
ters who are happily married, and who en-
tertain ON a large scale.
Mr. Scott is O very busy man. lie is di-
rector in half a dozen railways and Presi-
dent of three banks, besides being the larg-
est coal operator in Western Pennsylvania
and the Hooking Valley.
ssFew men know how to givea better din
ner than Bill Scott" said one OF his friends
to me the other day "He can give Bayard
points on cooking terrapin, and everybody
knows that Cleveland's Premier is one of the
best terrapin cooks in Washington: Scotts
dinners in his own house are marvels OF gas
tronomy, and"
well, why shouldn't they be, broke IN a
yeart'
And yet he was penniless boy thirty -fye
years ago, and when lunching alone seldom
spends more than 20c for his NEAL