The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-11-25

THOMAS G. PLATT.
Omitted States Senator from New York;
he was in congress, said: 'Mr. Presi-
dent, do you like this position, from a
personal standpoint of comfort, as well
as you like being in the house of rep
resentatives?"
With 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. 1t seemed to be apparent
that the 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 a 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
It is singular fact that men are not
all dissatisfied with their conditions
but unsatisfed. 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 it's 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 tc
congress. Necessarily that document
must occupy considerable of his time
and attention. Nevertheless, he is
obliged to see senator's and representa-
tives; or those who come to see him fol-
them; and all callers have some special
favors to ask. It 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 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 Plat, 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
fee 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 Plat 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, sleep]ess politician;
the man who has been called the "easy
boss" of New York, because he is al
ways SO mild and easy in his manners
orl y -
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
of 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, young man
who was last winter elected to succeed
Don Cameron. The old man and the
young man are inseparable companions
in Washington, and they maintain mu-
tual confidence. After they had seen
TIC "41lcI "d1hcu Will
Senator Quay downstairs, and inquired:
Chow are things going? Are there
any Offices left?"
Every few" was the response. But
as long as there is an Office left, and
Pennsylvania man of worth wants one,
we, are going to do our best for him."
There you have little pea picture of
real life in Washington. It is easy
enough for country politicians to get
up petitions and other papers seeking
federal appointment. 1t is easy enough
for each one to receive the Endorsement
of the county chairman, and of the con-
gresham for the district. It is not very
hard for the senators to 60 to the white
house and present the claims of all
these thousands of party workers who
want office as a reward for their polit-
ical work, but there are not enough of
fees. @.s s,Eqs4 III, ,.sas - !
It is no wonder that president McKin-
ley, who has been member of congress
and who practically knows Ill shout