The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-23

take a look at a particular incident IN the
claw practice of ]. B. Foraker-yes the
Flaw practice of Hon. Joseph Benson
Foraker, United States eenator-which
GENES mighty near being akin to grave
robbing. There will be more detail on
transactions of this character a little
later.
But IL Foraker is such a man." some
body IS sure to object at the outset. "why
has he been such a power among the good
people of OSlio?"
1t is a fair question, entitled to a fair
answer, and one that should DE answered
at the very outset. It all hinges on a diff
ference between the Foraker that has
been and the Foraker that is. The differ
ence Is wide as the world.
Here is a diagnosis of the change, the
cold. analytical diagnosis of a business
man. It's maker is one Of Cincinnati's cd
est and most active citizens, and head Of
one of its greatest corpora tons. This man
knows Joseph Benson Foraker from the
soles up, knows every bone and muscle
and nerve in flis body, knows him as the
shadoWgraph man knows his marionette.
Hear him:
Foraker looked only on the dramatic
and spectacular side of public life when he
was elected governor and knew no other.
He reveled in the adulation and power
that was his at Columbus.
Ambition and vanity were higher than
ever in him when his term expired. He
coveted more office and more power. He
dreamed Of the presidency. But he was
poor and deeply in debt. To retain what
political influence he then had, to say
nothing Of increasing it. he needed money.
''WhHe governor he studied and appreci-
ated for the first time the political game
from the inside. He saw how George r.
Cox had grown rich here in Cincinnati. He
saw how others had got rich. He realized
for the first time how he could use his
political knowledge and his political infiu-
ence to make money, and he made up his
mind then to use Il.
Since then Foraker's hand has been in
every job, and when he could not find
Job he made one"
This transition from the Governor For
aker OF 1889 to the Senator Foraker Of 1899
reminds ono of the fable OF the youth who
climbed a high mountain. outstrippins all
top. Breathing deeply. his eyes shine and
his nerves tIngle with the delight Of
achievement. He feels fS1self a conquer
or and longs for more of 1t. Muscle, nerve
and skill to use them have been developed
In the upward climb.
Away off yonder is a still higher noun
tain. The sun shines there more brightly
than here and gems sparkle in its rays.
That other summit, where rewards are
richer. must he attained. Forthwith the
impetuous youth rushes on. not stopping
to see that the true roadway to his second
goal is in another direction, and that tho
path he follows dips downward and leads
toward a swamp.
J. 3. Foraker found himself. at the end
Of his term as governor. a man Of national
fame in politics and with undoubted per-
sonal popularity and a perfect poHtical
machine at his back. He dreamed Of the
United States senate and even OF the
presidency. Like the boy IN the fable. he
set forward to attain his aims without
either care or Judgment 20 choose the
road.
The Foraker OF today IS not "a power
among the good people Of Ohio" He was
elected senator three years ago as the r.
, suit Of a se1gs OF bargains extending over
period Of years. There IS not one chance
in hundred that he y.iI be reelected
Re,sn his term expires.
Foraker apprec a1es the change in MS
condition 10 some degree. He dares not
run before the people FOR an Office. lie
told a Cincinnati friend only a few weeks
ago that he should never run before the
people again.
OF course, he thinks he will Re abe 90
ctrcumyent the peop,e IN the matter Of r.
election - the United States senate. He
thinks - because he is Foraker In n s
judgment OF himself ne Is the incarnation
% that medieval creed. The king can d.
no wrong"
Wien tAe perfect hiographer cones %
| write The Life and Acts Q. Joseph Ben
soa Foraker h vii - moved. 81 Jus; CO
70 his subject TO add ta., explanatory sla-
TILE:
"A study n ambition, vanity, selashnesss.
greed and auiactty."
% F0rake-'s bounding. waiting anti
ticn there is p-vos n every pol;ieal scheme
b-ough; By him % f-1i.toa- and r.ors n
those whiod have oes-n barrsn
Nobody Who seen hin q ne stump. in
convention balls. surrounded by hsro-U-,,-
satPp.ag folS0ve-s. o. posing on parade b.
I toJe The Plb,ic can mis- NJ ys.l,y IN
c7E1plaee-Es acceptance Of he t.te. The
Nagniacen; Foraker"
Ever political nanspusa.or-and tnere
are soo-es q them in ohio-vAs hAz ex-