Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-29
GET WEALTH FIRST.
Prominent Politicians From the
Depths Of Their Experience
DISCUSS YOUNG MEN IN POLITICS.
The HOnors and Financial Rewards to Be
Obtained.
NOT A AFITPROFEssION FOB APOOR NAN
rnr1rrrr ZOE ID DIsPATca.I


and rewards to warrant young man In en-
gaging therein?"
That was the question put to large num-
her of leading politicians Of this country
recently, men who have had their ups and
downs, their victories andsdefeats, and who
know from personal experience what they
are talking about. Annexed are their an
swers:
Smith M. Weed often called the Demo-
cratic sage, of Plattsburg, New York-Thers
is nothing so deceptive as politics. A
young man who adopts politics as q profess
sion is reckless and paving the way for an
impecunious existence. He is not citizen
who is going to assist in elevating and i'm
nroviup the community in which be lives,
but rather expects to float on tidal
wave of popularity to office and the
emoluments thereof As q rule, in
deed. nine times out Of ten, he is caught In
the ebb tide and is carried to shadows and
disappointment. Such is the fate Of the
aspiring professional political ONCE seeker
I believe that all young men should take an
interest in politics and 90 to the polls and
vote. Rich men can indulge in politics ~
a pastime, and even then they are often
sadly disappointed. In large cities, OF
course. there are few men who can become
professional politicians and exc out q rather
unsatisfactory existence. If q young man.
with the eloquenee of Cicero, the diplomacy
of Bismarck and the brillianey of Clad
stone. should ask me whether he should
adopt politics as a profession. would sey,
unless you are wealthy and independent
don't
A YOUNG MANS DUTY.
/ Dorman B. Eaton, the well-known civil
service reform adVocate-Every young man
should belong to some political party that
has principles that he can advocate and de-
| fend. He should make it his duty Is . eiti-
zen to understand the principles Of each
party, and thereby know how to vote lntelll.
| gently, If civil service ever obtains and
becomes a fixed institution in our Republic,
which believe it will, then young men can
/ study to 90 into the service Of the Govern
ment and not be afraid of being discharged
whenever q new administration comes into
mower. The brightest young men in the
eonntrv will come to the front ifeivil service
reform is carried out to the letter and the
politicians who make it business TO deal
| out offices will be relegated to obseur1ty.
| What the Republic needs is efficient men IN
the Government service, not political sine
enres. and until this change for the better
occurs I do not see any chance for young
men in politics. It will come some day;
the people will ask for and then demand II
Senator John @. SpooDer, Of Wisconsin,
known as the little Republican giant-As
general proposition would advise all young
mep 10 become interested in politics. II
brightens their faculties, makes them think
for themselves, and in its way edueates them
as much as book learning. II young man
refuses to vote and refuses to take an interest,"
in the politics Of his country, why, be
simpIv abdieates his right Of citizenship.
Professional politics is precaTious, ana
should be avoided. Strictly speaking. poli-
| tics is not profession, and success IN It -
often the result OF circumstances and environ
ment. Too many young men with superior
edueatious hold back and refuse to take an
interest in politics. 1t is sad mistake and
out OF keeping with the spirit Of a repu0ile.
Many Of them may argue that DICK, 1om
and Harry, men with no regulations, no AZ
tainments whatever, are occupying high
nolitieaI offices. and for that reason hold
back. If these men occupy high places It
Is because the better educated young men
stand back and refuse to 60 into politics.
The tendency of the times is to put the most
efficient men in otice.
AN UNCERTAIN BUSINESS.
Ex-senator Warner Miller, of New York
Young men should certainly take an in
terest in politics, but if they hold ONCE
when Young they become professionals, and
when turned out have no way 70 support
themselves. First, they should become IN
dependent financially, and then ifthey wish
ito seek political advancement or ONCE tney
can do 50 without fear OF the results. NO
poor young man can afford to become pro-
fessional politician. Politics Is not pro
fession, and, generally spesking, the man
who tries to make it profession, unless ne
is wealthy and can afford the experiment.
winds up disastrously. Taking an interest
in politics and voting intelligently are du-
ties that young men as well as old owe q
their country. We have no political per
: manent ofice-holding class as in England,
J and therefore young men should reeognize
IN the beginning of their careers that pro-
fession or business is tar preferable % ne
!. : uncertainties Of Ofice-seeking and political
: preferment.
, Republican National Committee-If Al
Young men could succeed in political L1t
like Congressman William Mckinley and
q Senator John Sherman would take hila'
2 rious delight in patting them on the shout
. ders and saving: "Go in, boys. You Wer'
!. born to succeed in politics" Ali but tn
y two men named are exceptions, and ver'
: started up the political ladder with such III
\ petus that they have never stopped climbing
: vet Why, 1 could take the lives OF tnes'
. two eminent Ohioans and sing politlca
!. didactic threnody that would instruct and b
n a model for young politicians 70 emulate
They are not professional politicians. Du
y the people have 50 long recognized their dis
n tinguished ability that they continue then
- iu office. The Office has sought them; the.
have not been Office seekers Do not 60 int
!, !, politics, young men, unless you are caugh
"a in the maelstrom of popular favor and e.!
= y ried with such force that you feel assured
= will continue you in office for some year.
= Be independent, financially, II you think
= pulling yourself into political favor by u
!. bootstraps Of demagogism.
of NOT A PAYING PROFESSION.
ID Congressman W. L. Scott, Of Erie-Cs
ty tainly- all young men should take an inlei
est in politics and know how to vote INTEL
gently. Those who have tried the exper
ment Of making politics profession, VII
some notable exceptions, have made ngni
failures The very existence and nature
4 republic require young men TO take MOI
or less interest in questions coneernln
government and the politics thereof The
shonld trv 10 keep posted and not Vo
blindlv. But in order to be thought Wid
awake citizens it is not necessary TO see
Office or to expect 70 gain livelihood e
politician. There are other pursuits 4
I more alluring than politics, and far mo
remuneratiye. The uncertainty OF sucee
in politics should discourage thoughtful ar
| ambitious Young men. o. course. there q
exceptions to all rules, and the successf
politician represents, perhaps, the one M
in many thousands who has attempted a.
succeeded,
Ex-senator Joseph Mcdonald, of Indian
known a. "Old Saddlebags : Republi
IL --r.a