Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-12-02

THOMAS c. PLATT.
Omitted States Senator from New York;
ne was in congress, said: Mr.. Presi-
dent, do you like this position, from
personal standpoint of comfort. as well
as you like being in the house of rep
resentatives?"
With a grave smile, he replied: THE
labor and the responsibility are beyond
the comprehension of any man who has
not been so honored and so burdened."
That was all. Nothing more-needed
to be said. It seemed to be apparent
that the 4. burden almost exceeds the
honor.
Well, so be it. Some men are born to
imperial title. Some men win power on
the battlefield. Some men achieve dis
tinction by dint of years of persevering
struggle. in civil life.
Think of it, ye boys, who cherish the
ambition that some day you may reach
that high honor; that you may preside
over the destinies of great people, as
president of this republic. You look
forward to the prize. the fame, the dis
tinction; and it is all blazoned with
glory. But all is not gold that glitters.
1t is a singular fact that men are not
but unsatisfied. That which is to be
achieved is always glorious, until you
possess it. Then it is not iridescent
with the rainbow colors of hope.
Every rose has its thorns. Every prize
his its qualifications. Even the man
who attains the presidency finds him
self probably as much burdened as hon
ored. 1t is more than likely that the
weight of burden of responsibility is as
great as the weight of the honor of as
cendancy. Who knows?
Very few people can see President
Mckinley nowadays. because his time
is so much occupied with state affairs.
He is preparing his annual message to
congress. Necessarily that document
must occupy considerable of his time
and attention. Nevertheless, he is
obliged to see senators and representa-
tives; or those who come to see him for
them; and all callers have some special
favors to ask. 1t is painful almost to
witness the clamor of office seekers
Whoever goes upstairs in the white house
finds crowd there. and only the ia
vored few can get through the crowd
to the door of the private secretary.
Everybody must send a card to that of
fetal; and it is his duty to decide who
shall see the president, and who shall
not.
As the writer came forth this morn
ing, Senator Platt, of. New York, en-
tered the office of the president, through
the office of the private secretary. On
the outside there were so. or more, all
OF them hoping against hope. for a
chance to place their Claims to Of
flee personally before the president. AT
least 20 of them have been there on the
anxious seat since last March: and there
they are doomed to stay, hoping against
hope.
When Senator Platt came. out. the
writer asked him what success?" He
replied: "The same old story. There
are too many seekers. and too few
places"
Hasn't the president given New
York her share?''
My friends think not. They want
more. and it is my duty to present their
papers and request favorable considera-
ton
And the diligent. sleepless politician:
the man who has been called the easy
boss of New York, because he is ali
ways so mild and easy in his manners
and so gentle with his friends. but
toned up his coat and disappeared in
the driZzle outside. Senator Platt is a
better man than he is generally sup
posed to be. One thing is certain; he is
always loyal TO his friends.
And then came Senator QUAY. of
Pennsylvania. the astute politician who
has for full generation been the leader
or his party in the Keystone state. He.
also, is mild and gentle; and he is slow
of movement. With him was Senator
Penrose, of Pennsylvania, a young man
who was last winter elected to succeed
Don Cameron. The OLD man and the
young man are iHseparable companion
in Washington. and they maintain mu-
tual confidence. After they had seen
the president, the writer walked with
Senator Quay downstairs. and inquired:
How are things going? Are there
any Offices ieft?"
Very few" was the response But
as long as there is an effic. left. and
pennsylvania man of worth wants one.
we are going to do our best for him.
There you have little pen picture of
real life in Washington. It is easy