The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-07-17

rx-<sOv. RUSSELL.

In the sudten death yesterday Of ex-Goy-
william =. Russell. Massachusetts has lost
one OF her distinguished sens He was not
distinguished. perhaps. like many other
Massachusetts, men have been, because Of
. long and fruitful life 10 the public SER
vice. but he had attained to eminsnce Ia
New England and was gradually extend-
ing his reputation TO other parts OF the
country. Considering his years. he had re-
ceived honors In his own state sach as
have been accorded 70 but few men be-
fore him. and his popularity and standing
among the people was shown By his thrice
being elected TO the. position OF chief
magistrate In the commonwealth.
Although young man upon bis entrance
into politics. he seems 20 have been one
who was nos tlscredlted because OF bis
years or lack Of experience. and when once
tried he demonstrated that he possessed
tact. energy. good common sense and gem
eraI ali-around ability. He was ambitious.
and the times and circumstances favored
him. He made q good mayor OF Cam
bridge. and although some may have
thought him presumptuons to aspire to be
governor 90 early ia life. people on the
whole admired hts pluck. and he won. II
can be said that he made = good governor.
He had natural executive ability. and was
honest. conservative and Just. He was not
carried away by youthful fancles: he saw
that tho laws were enforced. and alto
ssther made q very dignined and sasisfac-
tory official
Gov. Russell was a spisndId politician.
and always had an eye open for the main
political chance. He was easily ap-
preached. always afahle and made
friends. He could be q very serious man
or hail yellow well met, as the occasion
demanded. and seemed to have the faculty
Of presenting himself In the right way at
the right time. He tried 10 keep close 70
tho people. and in assisting al banquets.
dedicztsons. county fairs ana laying OF cor
nor stones he was interchangeable. n. nav
have had . purpose In being thus accom-
modatinx. but IL was the same purpose
that the oficsai In American public life for
the last one hundred years has had ana
always viii have
The late governor was man OF possibly
more than ordinary ability. lie was A
moderate student and thinker. and his
public addresses show that he had given
considerable time to intellectual exercise.
He was Democrat, and his political
speeches ara evidence that he had given
much thought 20 present dag problems.
His later addresses before educational In.
stitutions were productions OF merit and
furnish proof that there was a good deal
30 the man.
Whether the life abruptly cut short
would have fulnlicd tho expectations 50
confidently made by hss friends and al.
mirers II Is difficult 10 say. Some have
thought that he had reached the acme of
his fame and that any further honera
would come through mere chance. Cir
cumstances might he such that a long
time would interviews before he would
once more come before the public eye. aaa
n might be ore OF those dangerous inter.
inns when men. once prominent. drop on,
Of sight and are unable 10 revive their po.
sitieai fortunes. Speculation 10 not always
satisfysHg. however IL il enough 70 Sas
thar the young governor attained high
honors while he lived. ard has legt bs.
hind him name that IL respected. and !
record thar Is ernsnensiv eretyshle II,
was clean. honest and 20 be srAxtca. ard
hss career I. fNsll Of enreuraxement for n,
ycung men Of thu republic.