New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-30

he holds the respect OF all his associates anu i'e-
uuently joins in debates with an energy anu ioi'o
that command attention.
81 started out TO be sailor" said Mr.. Gardner
the other day. ''but drfted into politics and I've
found 1t impossible TO get out. When was ABOUT
eighteen years old shipped to make a voyage
across the water ! carried my clothes ABOARD 'he
craft and the captain told me to go aioft ana
'slush the fore topmast. That means TO grease the
spar so that the hoops the sails will slip over
II easily. | went up and slushed' awhile. when
the notion struck me to go uptown
ION the way saw crowd of men IN front OF
building and on inquiry | found that company
was being organized TO join the Army thought
Ia just as fight as slush' foremasts, ana /
enlisted didn't go aboard the vessel TO get my
clothes | marched to war and was wounded. but
lived TO get back home and go into the real estate
and insurance business
In 1868 Mr. Gardner got into local politics and was
elected Mayor Of Atlantic City. He was reelected
TO that office in go 20. % and IA In the years
II and u he refused the nomination.
In 1877 he elected TO the State Senate, and
served five consecutive terms, covering period OF
fifteen years. He has served longer time In the
LEGISLATURE than any other member of II. In 1892
he was elected TO Congress, was Reelected In 1874
and there IS no opposition to his denomination next
month.
According to Mr.. Gardner the Insurance busi-
ness and politics didn't hitch" well, and he ADAM
doned the former devote his spare time TO farm
ing His farm is about fifteen miles from Atlantic
City and he keeps it in the highest state of Gull
tivation. 1--WE got 100 in vines" says he
land they bring in enough money TO keep the rest
Of the farm going
A few years ago Mr. Gardner conceived the idea
that he could make money raising terrapln lie
spent several thousands OF dollars in the prepa-
ration of plot Of ground where he thought 'he
II got the idea" said he from what I had read
about Senator Gbson's terrapin farm, Inc Seii,
dinners that he gave, and now ana thtn VOL s
see something I'm the newspapers about ms me
netting him thought if the Senator could make
money and fame off Of homemade terrapln
could do the same. so started in 10 make myseIt
the most extensive terrapin farmer I'm the country
Il followed out my own ideas but somehow they
dav | sent the foreman of my cam down To -1aI!II
LAM TO invest safe the Gibson .fnhn 'iiia ,ie
absen; at lt two days, and when he anne birF ! e
siderable suspicion on newspaper stores cv'i S'nc,
took eicht wears TO develop terrcpin 10 that pin,
wnrrc thorc market for II, an al.o ieir.icI
that coulC I'm that time and in the same waite
;a',e C;ght crops of ducks. so dropped III" terra
Mr. Gardner is one of n" rost effective pun,
sckcr' Ill NcwJ tie is oe,fign 4n s,r rs Is
way OF Say sna Hns Them fast in the mind lie
pays no great attention TO dress preierrh" 10 ne
hae awning to say from the public platform he
thrusts his LETT hand IN his pocket and gesticuates
which gives the auditor an ldea that nc II hdilhs
down the points he makes them
His Illustrations are always simple, ana many
a gathering OF farmers in Somerset County on the
silver question he wanted 10 show the weakness OF
fat money Don't bc fooled by the idea Of a cur
rencv thai is money in name only" he said. THE
Legislature of this State might enact law reQulr-
ing that hereafter donkey shan be called graie
but that fiat doesn't add an iota TO the englh OF lhe
neck of the donkey take one inch from the length
of the Of the ass 49,,
The point was made with the people. and they
warmed up pcrceptiblN. just before he went on 10
The platform to speak at that meeting. which was
Harvest Home" Mr.. Gardner suddenly discovered
that he had no cuffs on. ar
I'VE lost my cuffs" said he TO bysander. u
remember | took them off on the train and threw
them up in the rack and forgot them. WhatH do
TAKE mine" said the bysander.
No" replied the Congressman. I'm going 70
talk 10 farmers and I'll roll up my sleeves. That II
show that I'm interested" and he rolled up his
sleeves and made the speech go
Mr. Gardners popularity in the lid District Will
keep him In Washington long as he cares 10 stay
there The district * made up OF the four counties
Atlantic Burlington. Mercer and Ocean. The first
time Mr. Gardner for Congress he was elected
Inv a plurality of 2.l2i The second time he went in
with plurality of 974l. and those figures Will be
incrca sed this fall II the signs do not fail
Mr. Gardner is a sound money advocate. but he
believes I'm bimetallism at reasonable ratio when
ever IL can be agreed upon internationally. lie ID
nfty-one years old. and as rugged as an oak tree.