The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-08-04
AN Ex-SECRETARY OF STATE.
How He got Into Politics.

Mr.. Richard Dallam, former Secretary of
State, is one of the few men i'll this State who
has reversed the usual order of procedure. In
stead of making the profession of law STEP
ping stone to politics, be has made politics a
stepping stone to law. He early realized that
he had TO make his own way through the world
and when he lett school he brought political ill.,
1luence into play to SECURE position in the
Custom House here. While the duties of that
position occupied his hours during the day. he
devoted his evening" to the study OF law. When
he thought he could stand alone on his legal
legs, he gave up the custom House position,
went back to his home ut Bel Air and there
tackled no his single. When Mr.. Lowndes was
elected Governor he was defeated for States
Attorney of Hartford, and yet that defeat was
blessing in disguise for it led indirectly to
his appointment rs Secretary of State. Mr..
Stevenson a. Williams, ot Hartford, was Gov
ernor LowndeS' original choice for Secretary
of State, but his law practice was too extensive
to permit the sacrifice of accepting the Gov
ernor's offer When he declined the Governor
asked him to suggest capable man. Mr..
Dallam was the capable man suggested. If he
had been elected States Attorney of course he
would have never been suggested to the Gov
ernor as his secretary. he performed faith
fully for three years the duties Of his
position and then resigned to devote his whole
time to the practice of his profession, with
Offices in Baltimore and Bel Air, acting, at the
same time, as counsel to the State Insurance
Commissioner, the duties OF which position are
| in line with his profession.
Mr. Dallam is young man, still in his early
| thirties, ana gives promise OF s, snccessiui ca;
reer at the oar SS. he Sdu. may Dc SdlU
| to have attained some success in politics. and
| have been able to earn my livelihood in prac
| ticing law, and yet, as young man, would
| not advise othsr young men to take up polite:
| or law as means of livelihood. The preca
| robustness of the living afforded by politics !:
| too well known. The profession of law, both
/ in the cities and the county towns, is fearfully
overcrowded. Why. there must be nearly forty
1 lawyers in Hartford county. The sphere Of
| work of the modern lawyer is much circum
/ scribed. so many industries are being placed
upon corporation basis and are being consoli
| dated that one lawyer is now employed wher'
| dozen formerly were. Then, too, the trus
companies are stepping in and acting as execu
tors of estates to such Il large degree that
former profitable field of employment for tn
| lawyer has been greatly reduced. OF course
there is room at the top, but it takes fellow
life time to get there and only few succeed
The field for the energetic young man today
with the transportation companies, or in som
producing line. They offer inducements I
educated young men who are crowded off tn
farm and out of the country towns. l woul
not advise any young man to leave the farm
| for l believe that it offers more returns fo
| energy, industry and intelligence than an
| other Employment. IieE$ ana interiors
| Baltimore american.