Smyrna times., 1889-06-19
Life in New York.


Very few of the old-time New
Workers play in the rapid game of
speculation that is constantly going on
there. The penchant of the Wander
bilts is for railroads that of the older
families for real estate. The Astors es-
pecially are given to accumulating real
property to hold and 50 extensive are
their operations that, strange as it may
seem, they are frequently cramped for
ready money. Here is an illustration
Only short time ago a gentleman
of abundant means needed 100000 in
ready cash. He had frequently bor-
rowed that and even larger sums.
Therefore he gave himself no concern
about it until about the time he needed
it, when he walked confidently into
Mr.. AstOr's Office on 26th street and
asked for the loan of 100000 for a
short time.
Mr. Astor looked up at him with
sadness in his eye and in his tone of
voice.
" My dear friend" said he, 81 should
be delighted to accommodate you, but
really do not know where I am going
to get the money to pay my taxes"
1t is not of the Western linanciers
who have congregated in New York
that desire to write of just now. 1t
is of those professional men who take
another vein of endeavor and work it
to the limit. Perhaps it is not unnat-
ural that men who have been in public
life as lawyers and politicians should
desire to find clients where fees are
very large for a minimum amount of
labor.
Wayne MacVeagh, who established
an Office there after he left Garfield's
Cabinet as Attorney General once said
to me:
Most all big law suits in this coun.
try find their terminus or beginning in
New York, and man who desires to
enjoy the cream of his profession must
have connections there"
This suggestion led me to look at
the men of distinction in the law from
distant States who have settled here
within the past few yeaIs. 1t was not
difficult to discover them and their
places. Only day or two ago saw
a-halfa dozen of them on the street
one afternoon.
First, ex-Secretary Bristow, of Ken
tucky, came strolling leisurely along.
He has changed considerably since he
was influencing in Grants Cabinet, for
worse, some of the most remarkable
features of our National life since the
close of the Rebellion. He was an
officer in the Union Army, and General
Grant after the war made him District
Attorney of Kentucky, his native
State. He then brought him to Wash
ington as Secretary of the Treasury,
where he started the food gates of
scandal in General Grants Admins
tratiOn by striking the whiskey ring in
its most vital point. The fight was a
bitter one, and Bristow wod yet, not
without the loss of prestige which he
could never regain. He made the fatal
error of becoming a Presidential can
didate while engaged in a great public
duty. Justly or unjustly, many peo-
people thought he made this duty a
vehicle for his own advancement.
General Grant always thought so and
never fOrgave him. During this con-
troversy there was a very dramatic
scene at the White House one morn
ing.
General Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, is
another eminent public man who
sought relief from his political losses
and gains in thesgiddy whirl of the
metropolis. Th& most conspicuous
part of his life was spent in and for his
native State, where his whole family
succeeded in making their mark. He
was a good soldier with the rank Of
Major General, and came to Congress
with good show for a great public
career at time when big men and big
questions were up for consideration.
He at once took a leading place.
While in the House Of Representatives
he was nominated for Governor, and
General Amerieus v. Rice, who was in
the same Congress with him, one
legged soldier, was nominated on the
same ticket with him. The Democrats
offered this soldiers ticket. They
were beaten by Charley Foster, the
hustler" and since that time General
Ewing has foresworn political effort
and settled down in New York to win
money at the law. He lives quietly at
Yonkers-on- the Hudson, and Is con-
tent to look upon public life as a
Vanity Fair, which he has quit forever.
Ex-Governor George Hoodley, from
the same State, is another conspicuous
example Of the disappointments Of po-
Utica endeavor. SO long as he was
CONTEXT to pursue his profession in
Cincinnati be seemed to be happy in
/ bis Western home but he was elected
1 aoVernor by a curious turn in the
wheel q fortune, and two years Of
power lsft a longing fog broader
sphere ofpublic action, witch he could
not get. lie therefore went to New
York into a. est llshed firm 70 forget
10 the whirl ofit s nd life. the follies
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