The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-30
Public Life Too Expensive.

In his recent address before the Ne
braska Republican convention Senator
Thurston made a personal announce
ment which is of interest beyond the
circle to which it was directed. After
the senate by the unanimous vote of
the Republican members of the Ne
braska legislature, every one of whom
so voted voluntarily and without per-
sonal solicitation on Mr.. Thurston's
part, the senator. added, with simple
candor:
After mature and careful considera-
ton. and as the result of deliberate judg-
ment, l hereby announce that l am not
and shall not be candidate for re-elec-
tion. l have no intention of ever becom-
ing candidate for any other office. 1
shall be glad and content to live among
you a private citizen and to once more
take up my chosen life. In reaching this
conclusion and in making this announce
ment have been moved by no unworthy
or improper motives. l am entirely sat
isfied with the Republicans of my state
and of the nation. / am as strong an
adherent of Republican principles and
doctrines as l have ever been. l am on
excellent terms with all my colleagues
present administration are most cordial
and pleasant. l have every reason to be
highly pleased with the treatment which
the Republicans of my state have re-
ceived at the hands of our great pres
ident. / have not the least doubt that
the Republican party will return to pow
er in Nebraska, and I should have no
apprehensions as to your continued in
dorsement l have never sought to avoid
public responsibility and shall not de-
sert public post of duty, but / know
full well that there are many great Re-
publicans in Nebraska who can serve
you acceptably in the senate. For my
self / have right to consider nv own
comfort and welfare and that of those
lie life at the capital. I do love home
life in Nebraska. I am comparatively
a poor man. As your senator I cannot
afford to maintain a house in Washing
ton and another in Omaha. I cannot
consent to give up my home in Omaha
and establish my fixed residence in Wash
ington | can adequately provide for my
family by the practice of my profession.
| cannot do so by continuing in the pub
lie service
All who know John NJ. Thurston will
understand that these words mean
nothing more or less than they say.
They are the words of a high-minded
and conscientious man, who as a sena-
tor of the United States deems it his
duty to give his whole time to the pub
lie service and is unwilling to use his
office as a leverage with which to in
crease the income of $1,000 a year which
he receives from the government as
salary. The number of such men In
high position is small; not indeed, be-
cause honesty is rare or conscience in
public life an impossibilty, but simply
for the reason implied by Mr. Thurs
ton-the pay given does not command
it. Men of Independent means can
serve the country, and often do, un-
selflshly and with a clear conscience.
In spite of the common impression to
the contrary we are inclined to believe
that majority of our senators and
representatives, and perhaps a large
majority, are in the main honest and
conscientious men who, apart from the
little partisan tricks of the politicians
trade, are as patriotic and sincere in
their devotion to the public interest as
any class of men to be found in the
country. But the fact that these men,
in order to live in Washington in COM
fort and support in respectable fashion
the dignity of their position, must have
financial means other than the salary
received, Inevitably takes from their
public service some time and attention
required by private interests and to
this extent lessons their public useful
ness. Where members do not possess
such legitimate private incomes they
must either efface themselves socially,
debase themselves morally or retire as
Mr.. Thurston proposes to do. There is
no escape from one Of these fates.
The example set by Mr.. Thurston is
at once rebuke to the public sentiment
which decries the presence of wealthy
men in public station without making
it possible for honest poor men to hold
office, and warning to the thousands
of young men just entering the legal
profession who entertain secret hopes
of preferment along political lines.
That is a pitiable but instructive
story told by a certain office seeker
lately arrested at Washington on a
charge of embezzling $500. In his ma
tive state he was a tax collector and
man we'll esteemed for honesty.
Having performed some service for the
Republican party, he last winter start
"a out to capture an appointment 10 a
federal ctI'ce. After the Inauguration
there were trips to Washington, ox-
penscs fer Endorsements and a long
wait until private funds and credit
were exhausted. The prize seemed
near; in a day or two it would be won,
and expecting by means thereof to
make good the shortage the young man
finally took money not his own and
the Office went to another. OF course
the moral is-but why point a moral
which human nature seems unable 20
heed?
The Philadelphia Press makes an
ado over the fact that on a sufficient