Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-20

did not borrow money
and he did not live
within his salary as. some Senator'S do.
But, compared with Stockbridge of Michi-
gan, who lives in ex-senator Sawyer's stone
palace at Washington, or the Camerons,
VINO Keep up an expensive establishment
on Lafayette Square, or the Brices, who
spend thousands on every entertainment
that they give at Corcoran House. he was
poor He lived modestly and did no enter
tanning. His home was usually in a fash
ionable boarding house or a hotel He had
some members of his family with him most
OF the time, but not many of them To
any one who does not know the possibilities
OF public life in Washington, Mr.. Aldrich's
actual expenses under these conditions
would seem absurd / have never discussed
the matter with him, but have reason to
believe that 1t has cost him more than
$4,000 year to live and support his fam
lily during at least the later years of his
senatorial term. No wonder that he said
to me two years ago that he did not be-
lieve that he could be a candidate for re-
election to- the Senate, because he felt that
he must look to the future of his family
and make some provision for himself
against the coming of age. At that time
some business opportunities were open 10
him in New York and there was a posi-
bility that he would leave Rhode Island
But ne was persuaded to reconsider his de-
land sent him to the Senate for another
six years.
MI Aldrich did not allow his reelection
to interfere entirely with his business plans.
however A company was forming for the
purchase and consolidation of the street
railroads of Rhode Island-not only the
q hilt
with another. Mr.. Aldrch was asked to
be one of a close syndicate of five 10 pur-
chase these roads. He became the presi-
dent of the consolidated company. The
properties were bought at what was consid-
cred a fair valuation, but much less than
the amount for which they have since been
capitalized and bonded. The Capitalization
Is SS.up.OOO, and SS,O00.00o worth of bonds
on the property have been fioated at par.
AT the present valuation of the stock of
the consolidated roads Mr. Aldrich is a
very rich man. His holdings are conserya-
lively estimated at s2.U0.000. His salary
1t is not at an likely that Mr. Aldrich will
attempt to make any social display in Wash
ington. His taste does not turn that way
He is an ardent student and he takes a
more than ordinarily active interest in mat
tiers before Congress. His business cares
will absorb much of his time And IL he
hnds any recreation IL will probably be in a
game of cards-almost his only amusement
During the holiday recess he devoted AN Of
his time TO Strengthening his business af-
fairsan Providence so that he NAV give his
UNDIVIDED attention TO the tariff bill when IL
comes up in the Senate. Mr. Aldrich was
the republican leader in the Senate when
the present tariff law was under discussion:
he Will lead the republican forces in the at.
tack on the tarif measure which the House
will send over to the Senate this winter. No
one in the Senate possesses a more nerfect
or ready knowledge of the tariff question.
lf he succeeds in defeating the Wilson bill
he will be as conspicuous a champion of
protection in the public eye as is Mr. Nc
kinley of Ohio.
Wealth is not the strongest recommended
ton to political preferment. Most of the
Presidential nominees have been poor men.
George Washington was a notable excep-
ton. But Mr.. Aldrich's good fortune. as il
has made him Independent. has opened ND
unusual opportunities before him. There is
little doubt that If a favorable opportunity
offers itself in the next republican national
convention. Mr.. Aldrich's name will be Of
fered in opposition to McKinley's Cullom's
Lincoln's and Harrisons. This could ham
pen only in the event that Reed of Maine
was not strong factor in the convention.
Either of these men by himself could carry
the whole New England delegation and it
is not at all unlikely that Aldrich could con-
troll the delegation from some of the great
manufacturing states of the east Of
course, republican leaders believe now that
the nomination will not go TO the east Rut
forecasting convention results is profitless
work Stranger things have happened than
the nomnaton OF Aldrich for the Presi-
dency. If he fights the Wilson bill i'm the
Senate and defeats it, he will be- as 1 said.
quite as conspicuous a champion of protec-
ton as Mckinley.
Mr. lIr;, r.
wealth, has not made a new record: but his
case is unusual. 1t happens more frequently
that the man who leaves business to enter
public life finds himself much poorer for
his choice. Senator Tom" Bowen of Colo
RADIO is a comparatively recent example. He
came to the Senate rich. left it a poor man
and is now reported to have regainei much
of his riches. He was an odd Character.
always good fellow popular with every
one about him. He had a penchant for
poker and he INDUCED it freely. Numberlcss
are the poker stories told about him still.
and gigantic the tales of his money making
He never discouraged the tale tellers He
was perfectly willing to pose as a modern
Monte Cristo. Mining Investments made
Bowen's first fortune and brought him TO
the Senate where he was for six wears q
good natured fgurehead. He was more
familiar~to the lobby of the Riggs House
than to the floor of the Senate Mining
speculation at long range robbed him of his
wealth and he went away from Washington
comparatively poor. He has made money
again in the mines.
Senator Sabin of Minnesota was wealthy
when he came to Washington. In the last
year of his senatorial term he went into
bankruptcy and he was rather hard up when
he went away. Senator Gordon left a lucra-
tive law practice to come to the Senate some
years ago. He resigned his seat because he
said he could not afford to remain i'm WASH
ington. He went to New York to practice
law, but he gradually drifted into politics
again and now he is in the Senate once
more. But he is not well-to-do and he has
been a decided sufferer by his political ex-
periences. Recently he has had to exc out
his income by lecturing.
Senator Mitchell of Wisconsin came TO the
House millionaire Just after his election
to the Senate the bank, of which he was
president went to the wall and he found
himself embarrassed. He is not a bankrupt
but he is not nearly so rich as he was when
he went into politics.
Senator Jones Of Nevada has lost several
fortunes since he entered public life, but as