The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-15

a. Democratic leader, was ap-
pointed . member Of the committee
on ways and means, and attracted
attention BY able speeches ON revenue reform
This and the revival Of American shipping he re-
CARDS as the most important questions before
the country. On the organization Of conRress
in December, 1888, he was elected speaker of the
house, to which ofice he was reelected in 1855.
Up to 1890, when he was elected to tho United
States senate to succeed James b. Beck, de-
ceased. he was the leader of the Democrats of
tho house. He is the strongest man in the
South. and has done good service in showing up
Farmers Alliance failacies. His Incorporate
habits were great hindrance to him in his early
political career.
Daniel S. Lamont is president of New York
cable railway, 40 years old and rich. dozen
years ago Lamont seemed to have no greater OPP
portunity before him than any one OF q score or
more Of newspaper men who were associates
with him in the collection of political news
at Albany. He was not esteemed . brilliant
writer, but he had what Is perhaps q more
available repute, that of being able to so be-
hind the curtain. to discover the hidden
springs which were impelling events and die
tating the political course OF prominent men.
He was also almost singular in the condolences
which he established with the greater poll
ticians. It was learned that IL was safe to trust
Lamont with political secrets, aud he probably
possessed more of them than any other Of the
young men Of his calling ct that time
He differed from some of his associates Of
that time. especially In mis- c0mprehen.
sion Of the fact that acquaintances and exper-
fence are the young newspaper mans capital.
He cultivated acquaintance with politicians of
both parties from all parts of the state, aud
through these intimac les he gained . singular
knowledge Of local politics in every section Of
the Empire state. That was to be his capital,
and 1t proved to be the pital which has brought
him high honois and indirectly . fortune
although this capital did not serve him in ex-
actly the manner which he expected would b
the case. He had no other thought at that time
apparently than to fOrtify himself for good
Newspaper work by these experiences. but
his employer ana associate. the late Daniel
Manning, president OF the Argus COM
pany, early discovered that Lamont not
only knew many men and many things,
and knew them we'll. but that his comments
showed singular judgment, remarkable appre-
citation of the effect of political influences. that
he had wisdom and discretion beyond his yeara
Lamont never possessed the faculty OF conceal
ing thought by speech. He was not glib
taiker. hiding behind rapid and inconse-
quential utterance. knowledge or motivea
He impressed everyone with whom he
chatted knowing and concenling great deal
more than ne revealed. and that perhaps added
to bis reputation for political wisdom. La
mont opportunity came unbeknown to him
with the election of Grover Cleveland to the
governorship in the fall 6f 1882 Mr.. Cleveland
perceived when he went to Albany that he was
almost like . captain without Q pilot
he knew very little of the public men
of the state, very little of the ma
ch:nery OF state government, and moth
ing oi the various politics that prevailed In diff.
;erent localities. He wanted a man by his side
who could furnish him with this knowledge,
who was discreet, industrious and loyal, and
when he asked ii there was such a one, Mr.
Manning instantly replied that dan" Lamont
had every one of these qualifications. And thus
Lamont became Cieveiand's private secretary.
He made such a shrewd private secretary that
he became famous
Wilson 5. Bissell, of Buffalo, 10 Cievelands
fpio