The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-02-24
MANY LIVES RUINED.
Why Bright Young Men Should De-
cline to Enter Politics.
Very Few Men in Public Life Are
Happy or Even Have GIimpses
of Happiness I'm the
Future.
Especial Washington Letter.l

| ANSiN IVY lNuA Ss NACll tuC COupItSSCt
expire, we witness the departure OF
friends, many of them never to be seen
again, for when the congressman &c
back TO private life they seldom have
opportunity to enter it again.
One young man, who has been in the
house of representatives for six years,
to-day referred to his retirement pa
thetically, saying: Il ain only 3S years
old, and my future is behind me If
l had known what | was going into |
would never have tried to come to con-
gress. l have spent six years of my
life uselessly. They are gone, and they
have been empty years.
"0f course, if l could have been re-
elected for another term might have
amounted to something. But il takes
at least six years of hard work for a
nan to secure recognition and be re-
garded in the house of representatives
as fixture. After that it is all smooth
sailing, because the other old mem be RS
gather around the fellows who are ex-
pected to stay, and they give up good
committee places and extend legislative
courtesies which new members cannot
obtain, and for which they have no
hope,
But could not gain the coveted
fourth term. | was left at the polls,
and now, while yet young man, | am
back number. | shall try for the
nomination in 1900, and if | get it l
shall make as strong fight as possible,
knowing that if l win | will be fixed
solidly in my district. That is the
only hope for me now, and that l hope
l shall diligently pursue"
Poor fellow! He is now pursuing an
ignis fatuus. He will waste another
two years of his life seeking to return
to congress; and he will be disappoint-
ed. When the people turn down young
man they do it intentionally, and usual
ly permanently. This young man has
usually but one show out of a thoI-
sand to get back, and so enamored of
congressional life is he that he will
take that one chance. be defeated and
then live on regarding his life as a
wreck. But if he were to drop politics
and go 10 work in his profession, the
law, he might achieve distinction and
win fortune, because he has more than
ordinary ability and educational ac-
quirements.
He is poor, and has within couple of
years taken unto himself wife, so
that he cannot afford TO invest all of
his earnings in the political rattle. 1t
is possible that his wife may wean him
from the political ambition which leads
him and lures him to the tempting of
fate. In her success will be his only
hope of future success and happiness.
But there is another man in congress,
about TO retire, who views the matter
differently. 1t is Hon. Sam NJ Clark,
OF Keokuk, Ia, who says: II have of
late years been glad that | was unable
to come to congress when was young
man. At that time, so years ago, my
ambitions were checked; older and
abler politicians turned me down, and
hence was obliged to remain at home.
Since reaching mature age l have
looked back with complaeency upon
that result. If had been sent to con-
gress 80 years ago l would have been
given couple of terms, and then I
would have been left at home, because
that is the custom of the country. In
that event should have spent the past
so years bewailing my fate, and secret
ly abusing the people for not keeping
me to the front where might have
achieved distinction.
But the people were kind to me;
kinder than they knew. They kept me
in congress until l was 81 years old, and