Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-24

inspiration. One of them was Congress
man from close district. For several sue
cessive terms he has been reelected, but IS,
however, in constant dread lest the next
contest may be his last 81 wouldn't be IN
that mans shoes for any amount of money
or stocks, or mines of gold,'' continued my
friend. II have had more than enough of
it. | gave up my law practice, which
amounted 10 about s., 800 a year, went to
Congress, spent six years in the House,
and, when finally defeated for renomina-
ton, / was clientless, almost friendless.
Let me tell you, the man who is defeated
for denomination is looked down upon as
one who ought to hire an undertaken and
HE him to some secluded spot in cemetery
and sleep forever IL forgetfulness of his
former greatness. He Is lost soul. pOlit-
cally and in business sense. His best days
are past"
"But your best days are not past, my
friend" urged.
THAT is true, solely for one reason. I
had financial resources, could still write my
check for more than my successor and have
it honored. That is all that saved me.
When / was defeated for denomination for
a fourth term my best friends looked down
upon me as one who had dropped out
and was liable to stay out Clients did
not come and beg me TO take their retalners.
But when they realized that l was still in
the world. and likely to remain on top of
ground by virtue of a good cash account,
they came back and assured me that was
a Jolly good fellow. Ny Congressional ex-
perience ripened into good practice and
tended to ultimately increase my revenue.
But that poor fellow standing there spends
all of his income treating, playing good COM
Ill 81, ~ Ia -
as poor as a church mouse, and is nearly
sixty years Of age. He has a large family
depending upon him. The lynx-eyed lob
byists know his financial condition, and that
frequently his vote can be bought for fifty
dollars. for he often needs that amount to
actually keep the wolf from the door. He is
10 be pitied."
NV friend knows men, is a successful
business man. and has no need of favors
from politicians. His services are in de-
mand. His remarks reminded me forcibly
of a conversation held in my presence a
year ago between Congressman Macdonald,
of Minnesota, and Interstate Commerce
Commissioner William K. Morrison, OF Hi
nols, who said:
fused TO think that fame would bring
bread and butter aud all good things unto
me. For time the Morrison bill was the
theme of public prints, and was the cen
ter of comment for all parties and the die
tator of National legislative policy But,
after IL is all over, what have | gaineol l
an almost an old man. my Congressional
career is closed, the people are talking of
another bill, modelled largely after mine,
but called the Mills bill What has become
of met l am a man who was renoninated,
but defeated. / have gone into history.
historical character. l am advanced in
years. lean not seek new clientage The
battle of life. so far as popularity and pub
ucity are concerned, is over, and yet am
here. There is nothing in Congressional
life but vanity of vanitles"
-
Another illustration of the ignis fatuus
nature of career i'll the House OF Repre-
sentatives is furnished by Hon. knute Mel
son, of Minnesota He is one OF my best
friends an able man, q strong man, an
honest man. Before leaving Washington
last month ne said:
- feel that have wasted several good
years. / have served good people, and
would have been willing TO have served
them longer. but could not afford 1t. am
poor man and have d family, and II is my
duty to provide for them. Ny majority at
the last election was over 10000: and that
is more votes than many districts can poll.
do not doubt that l could have remained
here in my position at least another term;
but felt It my duty to myself md 10 my
family to decline TO be candidate for re-
nomination, and so informed my people long
ago, as you personally know II was not
that this life lacked its fasclnatlons 10 me.
No man has ever had a seat IN the House
but would like to continue in that position.
Ii flatters ones vanity. Bpt saw the lives