The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-01
MEN OF THa CABINET.
Especially the Two Men Who Enter
It From New York.


From the Neto YOrs Press.
Dan Lamont knew every politician in
Cortandt county long before he could vote,
but be was but little known in Albany until
Il his connection with the Albany Argus. His
leap into journalism in 1887 was as great
surprise to those who knew him as were the
many political moves he has made. He
had been deputy IN the assembly of the
state twice. chief clerk in the state depart
nent under John Bigelow, secretary of the
state committee and shining light in the
convention that nominated Tilden. He
could have had almost any political office
he wanted in 1876, and yet in 1887 he
dropped everything to become the legisla-
tive reporter of the Albany Argus:
You're fool" said an intimate friend
to him.
well, he remarked in his quiet manner,
~ think that is, perhaps. true; but it seems
TO me that, as political fame is so feeting,
Ishould like to gather something more SUBJ
stantisL"
One day during Gov. Robinson's ad-
ministretion Lamont, then about 30 years
old strolIed into the Assembly and took his
usual seat among the reporters. He
worked steadily until l O'Clock. when he
turned to one Of his co-workers and said:
81 say. H, l have little business OF a
personal character to attend to to-day. l
for me. Will youP
IAN right" was the reply.
About o'clock the man who had prom
ised to do his work met Lamont hurrying
toward the railroad station with bag in
bis hand.
Hello. DAM You're nice fellow p be
cried. 81 thought you told me you had
some personal business in town."
well, that's all right" rejoined Lamont,
without relaxing his sprinting gait. tits
out of town, you see. III be back to-
morrow
At 2:30 Lamont LETT Albany; at o'clock
he was in New York; at 9 he had delivered
TO Hubert o. Thompson his commission as
sheriff, and shortly after midnight he was
one of the party that broke into the sheriff's
office at the city hall aud took possession of
it. When the deposed sheriff (Gumbleton
OF the Kelly ring arrived the next morning
he received his deposition papers from
Lamont. The afternoon of that day, at
O'clock-almost before the news was known
in the street-Lamont was back at his work
in the legislature. as pleasantly unessuming,
but also as uncommunicative as before. The
only direct way in which he connected him
self with the matter was when he said to
the friend who had worked for him: "Well,
really, H, you know | couldn't have got
back sooner and yet attended to that 'per-
sonal business"
When Lamont became privat secretary
to Gov. Cleveland, two-thirds Of all the
governors visitors were referred to Lamont
for their answers. and in fact a large
mOajority of these who called on political
business never caught even a glimpse of
Mr.. Cleveland. The many minor politicians
from the upper counties were often much
surprised at the familiarity which Mr..
Cleveland showed both with them and with
the affairs of their counties. Mr.. Cleve-
land was not much Of a politician at that
time.
The explanation of his greas and sud
denly acquired versatility in state politics
was this: Dan Lamont, who had wonder
tul familiarity with country politicians.
occupied desk very near that of the gov
ernor. When a card was brought in La
mont would take it and read the name.
Then, turning to the governor, he would
say: Governor, here is Charlie So-and-So.
He's clerk of the county committee in -
county. He is interested / u Jersey COWS up
there. just pump him about his dairy and
you'll 5000 catch him" The governor
would follow this advice, with what success
Is attested by the great number of friends
be made in Central New York.
Picture a man of heroic proportions, tall
above the average and proportiOnately
heavier, clean shaven, with bright kindly
eyes and a pleasant and genial manner. and
you will have Wilson Shannon Bissell,
President Cleveland's announced choice for
sells has been marked personality in the
Buffalo social and professional world for
the last two decades, yet he has made no
enemies.
One who knows Mr. Bissell well, and who
has been intimately associated with him in
important litigation, says: ''Ot all men that
Know think that Mr.. Blssell Is best fitted
to be Postmaster General, and of all Offices
that know the postmaster generaiship Is
best lifted to Mr.. Blssell. In the practice of
nls profession he has had entire charge of
the affairs of very large corporations for
which his firm was legal adviser. He pas
mad charge of making enormous railroad,
steamboat and other corporation contracts;
he has advised presidents Of corporations on
matters of the greatest moment, and his ad-
vice has proved in every instance that of a
Keen and far-Sighted business man as wei!
as OF level-headed lawyer. The practice
oil his profession has carried him but little
into the courts.
AS Attorney General Mr. Bissel would
nave had to cope with all the details which
Ge Ioathes. The position Of the Attorney
General Of the United States differs from
sqat OF district attorney of the state of
NeW ork only in scope and extent of work.
as Attorney General Mr.. Bissell would
nave been an irritated and harassed man,
engaged IN an irritating and uncongenial
occupation. AS Postmaster General he
WIN De in his element. He will have the
making Of enormous contracts for the rail-
road and steamship services, contracts for
aaIlonery and postage stamps and
s1-atters or large moment, which call
tor the attention of a man Of just his intel
teotual trend. Only those who imperfectly
sAo" Mr.. Bissell will regret that he is TO
~ at the head of the postoffice department
aua not the department. Of justice"
1Ir' bisselPs closest friends we're Willard
S,iIIitinore, sen Of the president; John g.
1I'ourn, lawyer of recognized power
~ aea culture; Franklin D. Locke, the leader
Ine antl-snapper movement in Western
view York and father of the Syracuse con-
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