Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-30

ssSese. rcrNink on the COMMITTEES
banking and currency with the late Samuel J.
Randall. between whom and himself a warm
friendship existed He lived simply and Quietly
al Wormleys aud attended closely. as his son
docs now, TO the needs OF his district 1th
well known that had Mr.. nldon been mads
President in 1875 he had decided 10 call Mr..
Mitchell into his cabinet a. Secre.sry Of ths
Treasury.
ms SON youx.
John L. Mitchell inherited al the death Of h,s
father few years ago. not merely his vase
wealth, but the friendships and general esteem
which had been maintained 90 long in the csreer
OF his father. The son retained around him m
the great banking and railroad esiRte the same
trusted men who had served the father with
unSarying fidelity and saeacity. For himaelf
ne asked no favors. no honors. To their iudc.
ment and advice he modestly deferred in all
,hihgs. He was made president of tho great
osnk. the presidency OF the vast railroad syp-
tenn, which had before had but one head ana
Snlei' was conferred on one Of his fathers life
long friends and heutenants Between
father ana son had always existed the warmest
aueShon. Their fellowship ideal The
Iath OF The one an the other was COM
plete. But John Mitchell's tastes were dr.
ierent snd ne chose q life less disturbed BY the
absorbing cares OF business His father had
given HIM early in his career q fine farm Of l2o
acres IN the suburbs OF Milwaukee. where he
went az the business OF making farming nav
with an earnestness and good Judgment thas
brought him full reward. His nne cattle ana
horses are still the pride Of the region, and his
pieasantest days are spent on the farm, where
ne throws on his coat now and then and worhs
like the man who has 10 for his daily bread
Il tell them. said Mr.. Mitchell. talking sbous
his farming. that have made more money ous
OF my farm than any farmer ever knew. That
IL q tricky statement. although IL A, trne a.,
the place increased rapidly IN value and when
the Soldiers Home was located I sold az a GOOD
hguro. Yet rather think / make farming nav
aside from that 1 like It, Ii IL the only place
where you can live with the fullest freedom.
the best insurance of health and the endowment
OF the good things of this life. substantial,
well-to-do farmer ia usually the happiest Of
men. And WIZ shouldn't he be? He has none
OF the worries Of business and Is King of his
own time and work, with a little empire about
MIN that Is all has own, minlstering the whole
year round TO his support and comfort both
OF oocy and mind, of himself and his family"
LOVER OF PAIxrrSas
MT Mitchell 10 lover OF paintings. Hn
mother was noted many years ago for her col
lection OF rare and costly works OF art. Mr..
Mitchell has not a large collection but il m
notable IN the value and worth OF many excel-
ieht representatives Of the best artists OF the
century. Among his mCst notable ACQUISITIONS
Il what Is undoubtedly the finest canvas Of
Jaies Breton 20 be seen in America Ia ia
the Evening at Finisterre," which ne bourh,
al the Seney sale. Ii will be remembered that
~ 80 eslt ANGUS Nnltn OF Montreal
oonghta Breton, The Communicate" for
s4S,UOO. Mr.. James Hill the ST. Paul railroad
magnate, aud his old friend and business asso-
clate both wanted that picture each being
"holy ignorant OF the others wish. Their
agents. therefore. bid savRgely AGAINST each
other and Hills man finally quit Tins Breton
many critics say Is the finest in the United
etates- MIR. Smith, when be learned that
ms old comrade, Jim Hill, wanted
that a. Mr H had picture wrote asking
Communicates" TO has wife rs a Christmas pres
emit ne be permitted TO send il as q present to
Mrs Hill, whom he had known since her eirl-
hood. But Mr.. Hill would not consent and the
great picture stayed In Montreal The Even
ing AZ flnisterre was sold 20 Mr.. Mitchell for
SIo,S0O, and there were people who thought
that was too much to give for it. Yet the
owner has the satisfaction OF knowing that
jules Breton looks upon the Finisterre picture
as NE best work he has done. Not lons after
Mr.. Mitchell bought il the artist wrote him \
oeIghfui letter saying that he Was glad he
mad bought the picture and that be considered
II by far the best thing he had ever painted.
An tns letter was q poem which Breton had
written upon the theme Of the painting. Mr..
Mitchell has been offered $50 900 Tor the breton.
Inc French government offered 100, 900 francs
butn offer would tempt the owner TO sell He
can AFFORD to keep IL about as well e any man
hving, and the scene has grown upon him
steadily in the four years since be bought the
picture. Many other noted artists are repre-
sented IN Mr.. Mitchells gallery. He has .
beautiful Nibert bought also Of the Seney sale.
and Schreyer that ranks high above the many
indinerent canvases that this celebrated man
suffered TO go out In common with an rich
and strong collectors he has specimen Rous-
seaus, Corots and q Millet, while other names
OF lesser brilliancy in the art world are we'll
shown in his little gallery.
NEXT DOOR TO Mr.. wASlnAKxp
In Washington Mr.. Mitchell lives ON street
just of OF Connecticut avenue and his next
door neighbor is John wanamaker With q
charming wife and his bright group OF children
his domestic life is ideally happy. For num-
Der Of years the family have lived abroad in
order that Mr.. Mitchell m light avail himselfof
the best oculists to be had. The kindly brown
eyes have cost him q small fortune 20 retain
Two of his children he calls foreigners and
ineligible to the presidency, for they
were born in sunny France. II was in
the Salon while living abroad, under treat
ment by the oculists. that Mr.. Mitchell
fell In love with it, He was q frequent visitor
among the studios and INDUCED his love
OF paintings and statuary to the full
while in Paris The Mitchell man.
sion on Grand avenue, Milwaukee.
is one Of the finest homes in the land II
covers whole square and embraces one Of the
largest conservatories and art galleries in the
west The mansion is Q beautiful specimen Of
residence architecture and the grounds show
the almost hmitless possibilities Of the land
scape artist even In q circumscribed city block
Mr.. Mitchell when at home divides his time
between this sumptuous home and the farm,
the latter having, perhapa, larger place in his
affections
HIS ELECTION TO coSaREss
His election TO Congress came q good deal q
his fathers did twenty years ago. He did not
seek IL; the honor sought the man and ell par
ties were glad to see him receive It. The only
man who could carry the district against him
was in the opposing party, and he declined to
be candidate and Joined in the demand that
Mitchell should be the next member from the
district There are thousands Of Germans in
the Milwaukee district and they have always
believed in the Mitchells, father and son. In
Congress Mr. Mitchell seeks no opportunity TO
get on dress parade. He Is content 20 do we'll the
plain, everyday business that comes TO him He
sat several years in the Wisconsin Legislature
He was colonel Of the twenty-fourth Wisconsin
infantry and Speaker Crisp asked him 70
go on the committee on military afairs
Of which Gen. Bragg Of Wisconsin was
once the distinguished chairman. Among the
members of this House Mr.. Mitchell has be-
come very popular. He In 20 approachable and
matter-of-fact as Q man can be. To see him
one would judge that be was like o hundred
other NJ. C.s who had to live on their salaries
and we're mighty glad to get them In talking
with friend the other day the Conversation
drifted upon the matter OF wealth, whom