The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-07

interested in watching the unconscious
artistic working OF his mind than I was
in the story he was telling. The literary
turn he gave his sentences was very
striking"
When Mr.. Allen left college he went
into business in HIS native city of Low
ell, Mass. as a lumber merchant from
which he has amsssed comfortable for
tune Fond OF public affairs, he served
In both branches OF the state legislature,
and for four years sat in congress. On
more than one occasion in the house
he showed that oratorieal ability men
toned by DR.. Donald. / remember es-
pecially one occasion when the state Of
Massachusetts presented 10 the house OF
representatives paintings Of former
speakers from that state Mr.. Allen was
one Of the orators selected to make the
presentation. and his speech was q model
OF all that a speech should be on SUCH
an occasion. IL was couched in excellent
English, Ii was delivered with a grace
that made a profound impression on the
house. and 1t marked Mr.. Allen as one
OF the few accomplished speakers In
congress. Like many men who want 10
do things and who become impatient at
the procrestination OF congress. he tired
of service in the house and thought he
had ended his public career.
Defeated by William r. Russell.
Two years later. in 1891, the Republicans
OF Massachusetts demanded that he should
be their candidate for governor. II was
gallant fight that he made. his opponent
being the late William r. Russell, that re-
markabe young man who was thrice
elected governor OF Massachusetts. Night
after night the two men met on the stump,
both magnetic speakers. both appealing to
the younger element Of politics, and both
arousins their followers 10 the highest
"A Of L. 40
defeated, and that defeat he thought
ended his political career. But when, in
lsaS, Theodore Roosevelt resigned his place
as assistant secretary Of the navy TO be-
come lieutenant colonel of the Rough Rid
ers, Mr. Allen was appointed by the pres
ident TO I'll the vacancy.
His long business training, his capacity
for affhirs and his quickness TO grasp the
salient point of any problem submitted to
him made him an ideal man for the ex-
ecutive head OF a great business institu-
ton like the navy department. Mr.. Allen
was a member Of congress when President
Mckinley sat in the house as a represent
tative from Ohio. The two men soon be-
came fast friends, and that friendship has
never been broken to this day. He is a
frequent companion of the president in
his walks and drives, and is often consult
ed by MIN on matters outside OF his own
department. When Mr. Allen was In con-
gress he was an enthusiastic amateur pho
tographer. but OF late years he has for
saken the camera, and now his particular
fad is sailing. He would go a long distance
out OF his way to see a good yacht race.
And to quote once more from DR.. Donald.
who. when asked to tell something about
Aliens life In college, said: II best sum
it all up by saying that he was noted
among us for his uroanity. courtesy, tact.
quick Judgment. integrity, and that in
dehnaole power OF leadership which Is
easily recognized and impossible to de-
scribe"