The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-01-22
0LNEY HASAFIRM HOLD
A Bright Future For the Secre-
tary of State.
NOT MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT.

He Has y Fortune and Position, but Car
isle Makes a New Start In Professional
Life-Ex-Governor John ID. Long and
Patrick Collins.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10. Especial =
There is great deal of talk among public
men here concerning the future OF the
Democratic party. The men who are In
position to have the best information and
Judgment agree that the party is likely to
come to some understanding before the
next congressional elections are on, which
will obviate the gold and silver war with
In the ranks. Just how this is to be done
they do not appear to know. But that the
leaders of the party are confident harmony
will be brought about in some way is ap-
parent from their conversation. This opin-
lon is expressed by Democrats who sup
ported Palmer and Buckner as well as
those who favored Bryan and SewaI. So
1t is easy to see that there is at least de-
sire for peace between the active men OF
the two factions Whether or not peace
can be actually, brought about is another
question.
There is also considerable gossip in
Democratic circles to the effect that Secre-
tary Olney may be the Democratic NOM
inee for president in 1900. This is look
Ing q long way ahead, but the gossip is of
interest in that it shows the hold Olney has
obtained upon the respect of the public
men of the day. 1t cannot be said with
truth that MIR. Olney is exactly popular.
He has not popular ways. He is plain,
blunt, cold blooded man, who goes straight
at his business, apparently caring little for
the consequences as to his popularity
among the people. But there is great ad-
miration for the doughty secretary of state
who has brought Lord Salisbury to terms,
even among those senators and represent
atives who are not lovers of the admins
tration, and who are not satisfied with the
manner in which Mr.. Olney arrogated to
the executive the exclusive right to recog-
nize the Independence of a foreign power.
OIney's Future.
Those who think Olney likely to be CEN
trail figure in the Democratic politics of
the future point to his great achievements
in securing from Great Britain recognition
of the Monroe doctrine, the general treaty
of arbitration and his influence in settling
the Chicago strike in 1894. They say the
secretary has in this way won the admira-
ton of the masses, who are always in favor
of vigorous foreign policy, and that he
has at the same time gained the confidence
of the substantial men of the country, for
they know him to be firm without being a
lingo. Mr.. Olney himself cannot be said
to be am bitiuus. While he would doubt
less be glad to accept the Democratic nomi-
nation for president in 1900, especially if it
should be accompanied by fair chance of
election, he is too we'll balanced to permit
an mbition of this sort to obtain posses
sion of him. He realizes that as a corpora
ton lawyer he is not likely ever to become
a very popular man and is quite we'll con
tent to go back to his law practice, which,
I understand, nets him about 500, 900 a
year.
MIR. Olney's case is a good example of the
wisdom of making ones way in the world;
of achieving independence before going in
to politics or public life. MIR. Olney' s future
is assured. He has nothing to worry about.
If his income has been s5O,000 or $50, 0OO
q year in the past, it may easily double
that for years to come, for he has gained
tremendous personal and professional pres
tige by his success in the state department.
If he cares a little later on to become a
candidate for Office or to engage in party
politics as leader, he will be free and in
dependent.
Outlook For Secretary Carlisle.
There are members of the cabinet who
have not this comforting assurance on the
eve of their retirement. Secretary Carlisle,
for instance, has his way to make in pro
fessional life. He has had no practice fol
many years and is without capital to start
on. OF course he will not lack for clients,
and some very good offers are already
awaiting him, but it is not like having
made ones success and won ones financial
independence early in life. Postmaster
General Wilson, too, has given the best OF
his life to public service, and he will in all
probability go back to college work, which
engaged his attention in earlier years. II
Is said he has already accepted an invita-
ton to become president of a Virginia col
lege. He is scholarly man, much admired
and beloved by his associates for his gentle
character and winning ways. In college
life he will be at his best. Secretary Her
bert is another retiring cabinet minister
who will have to find some means of gain
ing livelihood. He is poor, TOO, but G
man of great ability and one SO highly re
spected that he will not have any difficulty
III hdhlDS MS way III private llle.
1t has become an axiom among public
men, among those who have had expert
ence, that it is wisest to get money before
seeking honors. If one doesn't believe il
the force of this, he has only to come tx
Washington and try it, Men are handi
capped if they try to rise in public liz
without a reasonable amount of money be
hind them. They cannot accept cabine
appointments without sacrifices such as
poor man ought not to make.
Two Massachusetts Men.
I know a number of men who drew on
of public life in Washington deliberateI,
for the purpose of acquiring financial in
dependence before re-entering it. One O
these is Ex-Governor Long of Massachu
sets, recently much talked of for plac
In the Mckinley cabinet. He was som
years ago strong man in the house ant
in his state But he was poor, and, per
ceiving the disadvantage which he was la
boriI under, he left congress and deyote'
himself to building up his private fortune
with the intention of some day coming
back to Washington as a public man
Whether lie has reached the point W here h
Is willing to become a member of the cabi
net remains to be seen.
Another instance of the same sort i
found in the case of exConeressnan Pat
rick Collins, also of Massachusetts an