The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-11-03
WRITERS IN POlITiCS.
Men of Letters Who Have been Favored
With Public Positions.

Men of Letters Who Have been Favored
With Public Positions.
Especial Cerrespondence.l
NEW YORH, Oct. 3o.-Only one person who
has made Of literature profession is now
very prominent in public life - Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts, who is quite ably
maintaining those qualities which make
the successful public man which he most
Interestingly described in several biogra-
phies OF Americans who won public re-
nown. DIR. Everett. now q mem ber of con-
gress from Massachusetts, has been a liter
ary man all his days, although rather as a
teacher than writer Thomas Wentworth
Higginson was ence asked to run for con-
gress, and at one time there was suggestion
that Mark Twain be nominated for mayor
of Hartford.
Professor Sumner, widely known as an
economic writer, was once a member of the
board of aldermen of New Haven, and
David A. Wells has been an unsuccessful
candidate for congress. James X. Pauld-
ing and George Bancroft were the most
conspicuous men of letters who entered
public lie, although it has been tine custom
Of presidents to recognize great literary
achievement by the bestowal of foreign
Lothrop Motley, James Russell Lowell.
Bayard Taylor ana Andrew b. White were
honored with. Bret Hase was made con-
sal to Glasgow, and other writers have been
sent abroad AS American cOnsuls.
1t is low Understood that a man Of letters
and unusual achievement as the publisher
of the literature of others will probably be
sent 10 the next congress rs one Of the rep
ts,-nz k. ,,t
a man who probably has had more extern
siye correspondence with the most famous
writers of the present generation than any
other American, General Lloyd Bryce.
General Bryce has already served in con-
gre.s for single term, yet he was not then
known az writer but only as a man of
charming personal characteristics and
great culture. 1t was while he was a mem
Der Of congress that be published his first
novel, and since he retired he has written
two others, ono of them having been most
favorably received. 1t was his intention
when he finished his first term in congress
to devote his life to literature, having am
bition to write novel picturina life in GER
tain cultivated American circles with
which he has been most familiar. But a
tragedy sudden and most sad altered for
time the purpose Of General Bryce and
placed him most Unexpectedly in the chair
Of editor as well as post OF proprietor of
the leading American review. That expe-
rienee has a touch of romance as we'll as
the pathos of the sudden end of bright
promise and fond mbition.
Although not OF the Same political party,
there sprang up a warm friendship be-
tween Mr. Rice and General Bryce. They
were fellow Americans at the Oxford uni
versity in England. and they bad common
tastes and sympathies. Mr.. Rice, pre-
pairing to go to Russia for four years alb I
senCe, turned to General Bryce and asked
him TO take charge of The Review during
his absence. 1t WAS An unexpected oppor- /
tunity for General Bryce, and one which he /
with something of hesitation.
Mr.. Rice one afternoon few days before I
be expected TO sail for ST. Petersburg was 4
discovered upon the car of an elevated train
by the then mayor of the city-Wiliian r. :
Grace-who thought Mr.. Rice. 10 be /
Il am very sick" he said to 4
Mayor Grace, who then took him TO his nc /
TEL procured a nurse. who put him in bed. !
from wLich he never rose. He died from a 4
attack within a few hours of 4
the time when he expected to sal as minis !
ter to Russia
When his viii was read, it was discov- /
cred that lie had beausathed The Nerth I
American Review to General Bryce as a \
mark Of his friendship and esteem, 20 that 1
the young editor found himself with the .
greater responsibility Of proprietorShip
For five years he has conducted that maya
zine upon the lines laid down by Mr.. Rice,
and has - SO vel in hand that he Ii pre-
pared 10 accept the proposition made TO
hin that he again return 20 congress.
Z J. EDwAgDs