The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-24

modern methods of lawful larceny, and
] could never become a rich man"
The millionaire senator laughed
heartily at this home thrust sally, which
was not intended to be offensive, and he
said: "All right, my boy, keep on with
your oratory and remain in your pow
erty. and one of these days you will at
least thank me for having given you
good advice
And it was good advice, too. In the
higher political and social world money
is king. At all of the white house re-
ceptions, at all of the diplomatic din
ners, at all of the public functions OF
senators and representatives, at all CT
the prominent hotels the men of wealth
move as royalty moves. The men and
women about them pass smirkingly by,
bowing low; and the walters and wait
resses salaam before the rich men and
women as TO princes and princesses.
Therefore, if young men who are am
bilious for political honors would start
right they would first worship at the
shrine of Mammon, and gather togeth-
er some thousands of dollars; and in
crease them to millions, if possible.
Then they can break into political life
and keep to the front as long as their
money lasts.
Concerning the rich men in congress
there is a generally mistaken opinion
throughout the country. Particularly
is this true concerning the rich men OF
the senate. 1t seldom happens that
any man born rich secures election to
that body. The rich men who are to
be found in the senate are usually self
made men, who began life poor and ac-
cumulated riches by their own frugal
ity, industry and superior sagacity.
For example. there have been Senator
Sherman, of Ohio; Senator Stock
bridge. of Michigan; Senator Sawyer,
of Wisconsin; Senator Quay, of Penn
sylvania; Senator Hale, of Maine; Sen
ator Platt, of New York; Senator
Brice, of Ohio, and others who might
be named in the same category.
Senator Depew, of New York, as he
has himself said. began life with moth
ing but clear head and honest hands.
He is product of our soil and of our
institutions. Now that he has ac-
quired fame and riches, his ambition
has led him to go to the senate, and the
great state of New York is proud to
thus honor him.
Senator-elect Clark, of Montana, is
probably the richest man ever elected
to the senate, but he began life as
very poor boy. He educated himself,
taught schools in Connecticut, went
west to Iowa. where he farmed awhile,
taught school awhile, and then went
out to Colorado and Montana seeking
his fortune in the hills, as prospector
and miner. Having accumulated
wealth, and having become many
times millionaire, he turned his am
bilious eye on the senate, and the leg
islature of Montana has honored him
by an election to that august body.
While the morals to be drawn from
these incidents may be valuable, par
ticularly to ambitious young men who
intend to go into politics, the writer
can give even better pointer out of
years of experience in observing states
men come and go. The wise thing for
the ambitious young man to do will be
to give up all idea of politics and stick
to private business. There is probably
no stratum of human life in which
there are SO many disappointments SO
many heart burnings, so many wrongs
committed, SO many acts of ingrati.
tude, as in political life. Very few
politicians are happy. or have glimpses
of happiness for the future.
SMITH D. FRY.