Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-21
never appeared to court fame in public life. and

never appeared to court fame in public life. and
bad no ambition to stand conspicuous in
the Senate as great orator. As a bust
ness man and man Of sound judgment
his edvice and suggestions were valued by
all his colleagues. In latter years his
philanthropic disposition, a wish to bring
about that which appeared to HIM to be
for the advancement Of tine interests of the
common people rather than to consider the
interests of any great political organization,
led him somewhat away from the doctrines of
both parties as to some important questions.
Though a many times millionaire he was not
entirely in sympathy with the views of the
class known as the moneyed men of the country,
His theories as to the national finances were
not those Of Wall street. His tendencies
were toward socialism, with qualification. SO
much SO that among the farming and laboring
classes, who, being discontinued with the old
parties, talked much OF him as candi-
date for the presidency on the ticket
of the third party, representing more
closely their interests. Prior tn the
PRONUNCIATION of the Farmers Aihance
warehouse scheme he advocated in the Senate
proposition for the issuance OF currency by
the government as loans on farms, in order to
save the farmers from the imposition OF hcavy
Interest on mortgages, resulting from scarcity
of money. He also advocated cooperative
plan by which labcring people in the
District of Columbia might pool their efforts
to get homes. His ambition in later life seemed
to be to devise methods for The improvement OF
the condition of the poorer classes. This gave to
him notorlety among the discontinued classes
in politics which he did not seek. He discour-
aged the efforts to bring him out as the candi-
date of the farmers and the labor organizations,
as he did every suggestion OF advancement to
greater political prominence than he had at
tanned as governor Of his state and Senator.
HIS AMBITION AND HIS MONEY.
He accomplished tie greatest ambition of his
life when he completed the Central Pacific
railroad. and after he acquired his great for
tune the desire of his life appeared to be to use
his money SO as to do the greatest good with il.
He frequently said that he regarded himself as
custodian, not owner of the money, and that his
obligation was TO administer the trust con-
scientiously. He had taste for farming and
for great works of construction and internal
improvements, which lie may be said TO have
inherited. His father, besides cultivating a
farm. was a contractor for building bridges,
and was one OF the earliest advocates
of the construction OF tie Erie canal.
When the locomotive engines first came into
existence Josish Stanford was among the most
active in pushing the enterprise for the con-
struction of a railroad from Albany to Sche-
nectady and did great deal Of the work Of con-
struction. This railroad. fifteen miles in
length, now forms one Of the links in the great
system from the Atlantic to the Pacific. which
is a monument to the skill. enterprise and de-
termination Of the son, Senator Leland STAN
ford.
FOND OF POLITICAL ECONOMY.
Leland Stanford was a student from his
youth, but he rather avoided the classics and
devoted himself to works on political economy
and those things which related to the improve
mcnt of the condition Of society, or which
disclosed TO the reader the condi-
lions and needs Of mankind. His habits
A. - %l,,,
He did not advance far in his career as a
lawyer, ard the destruction of all his possess
stone. including his law library led to his going
to California. to join his brothers in COM
mercial business. In this business his studious
habits and the broad views the sub
the country led him into the
enterprise OF opening up the whole
country from the Atlantic to the Pacific by
means of railroad transportation. His activity
in politics in California appeared not to be in
spired by personal ambition, as he worked for the
organization OF the young republican party on
the Pacific without seeking election to Office
himself. He was a delegate to the republic
can convention which nominated Mr.. Lincoln in
| go. He was in Washington during the first
year of Mr.. Lincoln's administration. and ell
| joyed the confidence OF the President and
| his advisors. While here he heard that there
| was a movement on foot 10 nominate him for
governor of California. He at once wrote a
letter declining to be a candidate. but the let
| ter got to the public too late and his
nomination could not be stopped without in.
| jury to the party. He therefore made the run
and was elected, the victory being like revo.
luton. He was again elected by an increased
majority. As governor he earnestly urged the
| construction of the Pacific railroad. and his
official papers written at that time treat clearly
and with much wisdom Of great questions
which have grown into national importance
| since.