New-York tribune., 1896-10-18
TRAITS.

.,.,...,,, A, las. rally the free-silver leaders
49, concentrated their strength. after the
.hor,,vs attempt to invade the enemy's coun-
~ Here too. II Is that probably one Of tho
.hlss, most versatile and resourceful Of poll
ticians stands ready 70 lead what 10 Candid
and uupre,udeed observer Of the field looks like
'forlorn hope
No political manager Of recent times has at
trac,ed the attention Of the country to greater
DEGREE than Governor John P. Altseld. No man
In public life, certainly. has aroused an an
tagon.sm more bitter. Ten years ago an OBJ
scure and struggling lawyer. he I. to-day boss
in the politics of the State such as Illinois
never saw before; controlling machine second
in efficiency only TO tha, built Up in New-York
by Tammany. and boldly debating. with his
hand on the lever. terms to a National Conven-
tion and It's candidate. and imposing his man
dates upon the Democracy OF the country.
dominating the situation so completely
within the ranks Of his own party is deserving
Of something more than passing notice.
HOW ALTGELD LOOKS.
Governor Atgeld's personality is fer from en-
gastng His outward appearance. IL may even be
said is repellant. lean and hungry look sug-
gests the conspirator Of the Cassus type. The
furtve glance Of the eye when II meets the
searching gaze Of visitor recalls the hunted
a. nal Its gloomy stare when IN repose de-
notes the brooding dreamer. the inspired fanatic
sallow complexion. ashen almost In hue.
speaks Of midnight vgls and long md desperate
struggles with dyspepsia Hair and beard. both
closely trimmed and with startling vividness
bringing to mind the pictures Of Guiteau. frame
features that have never been known TO smile
His voice is harsh and unmelodious, and his
gestures are indicative OF an uncomfortaole
tension Of the nerves. which keeps those about
him n constant apprehension Of an outbreak
Nor is there IL the manner Of Governor Alt
eeld the slightest indication Of desire 10 please
~to Offset by display Of the qualities Of mind
q heart those defects Of outward appearance
which nature seems with such lavish hand
70 have bestowed upon him. He talks interest
msv enough and to the point on most subjects.
out without either warmth or enthusiasm. The
mall.talk Of daily intercourse has no attraction
Ut him. and for pleas1ntries he has no use. vi
sense Of humor there Is In him not the slightest
uaee 1t is only when conversation turns upon
'0p'cs involving the social and economic reforms
savocated by him that the smoulderng embers
his fanat!c5m are famed into fame and
~e passion Of the reformer breaks out with un-
eonfrollable fury. At such moments you are
made TO realize the danger involved In clothing
Win executive power a man whose natural I'M
pulse to give practical expression to his theories
o. social reform is held down only by visions OF
Bower and preferment. and whose political
philosophy contemplates with little or con-
oefn the nature of the means by which the
eavn Of a better civilization Is to be FASTENED.
HOW HIS POWER WAS GAINED.
h Il a conspicuous tribute to the Governors
ability that in spite Of these defects OF man
~ and person he should have succeeded In
building up a following which not only has made
MIN dictator In Illinois. but has also COM
>sced his recognition as one OF the controlling
sosces In the more important field OF Nauonai
lolitica He has accomplished this by snrewd
nd discreet manipulation OF appointments 70
ence and by the adroit use Of the extraordinary
bowers lodged In the hands of the Governor
1hs patronage at the disposal OF the executive
the State Is important. and extends from
chicago, where Il controls several pranches
q the municipal gov ernment. to the pupi'c IN
sututions scattered over all parts OF the ota'e'
~ covers comfortable berths for the neeief' iu-
Qattve posts for the leaders. and offices OF orha
nentai distinction for bestowal upon money
eoatributing dilettantes. 1t furnishes ABOVE aii'
= the Railroad and Warehousing Commission
: body which hx.s rates and inspects every
eeshel Of grain that goes into the elevators
= opportunity TO exert a pressure upon r,ch
essporations. which. IN the hands OF an actiVs .
~ not too scrupulous politician. can be turned
various accounts.
That Governor Altgeld fully realized this al tne
= he entered upon his political career. ana nas
ever since the great powers vested IN mn,
means Of strengthening his machine aso
olng up . personal following. has nsSs'