The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-21
A LESSON in POLITICS
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OLD
AND NEW SCHOOL POLITICS
Illustrated by Senator Beveridee-
How N Vexatfous PostoHce
Fight Was settled.

aspirant for office the difference between
the politician OF the old school and the
politician Of the modern school. He was
seated in his room in the Denison Hotel
one night about 10 O'Clock chatting with
a newspaper man when suddenly the door
bell rang. With that CHEEKY manner that
has helped 10 make him famous the senator
called out. Come in" The visitor proved
TO be young man OF average physical
appearance and Of fairly pleasing person.
ality. Senator Beverage as all his ac-
quaintances know very well. has a peculiar
way of getting his callers 10 plunge at
once into the object OF their visit without
letting them perceive that they are being
urged TO do so.
Il came 10 talk 10 you about an appoint
ment for myself" said the young man.
Very WELL" replied the senator. Il shall
be glad to hear what you have to say
Without Offering to show that he pos
sessed any particular fitness for a posi-
ton the young man said Il want TO know
what chance 1 would stand OF being APP
pointed to a consulate if 1 could succeed
in getting the Endorsement OF all the prom
inent politicians of the State"
do you want me TO be perfectly frank
with you?" inquired the senator.
We'll. then, you would not stand the
least chance in the world" was the SEN
ator's rather surprising reply.
Might 1 ask you the reason why?" asked
the disappointed aspirant for office.
well, now. 1 will explain it to YOU"
said the senator kindly. at is just
the difference between a politician OF
the old school and a politician OF
If you had asked your question OF a poll
tician he would probably have smiled en-
couragingly and said: Why, yes, you GER
tainly ought to stand an excellent chance
of securing the appointment il you can OBJ
tain that kind of Endorsement And all
the time he would be automatically deceiv-
ing YOU lie would know perfectly well
that you could not get the appointment in
thousand years. but his way OF doing
business was to try 10 avoid hurting peo-
pies feelings even by concealing the truth
from them You come 10 a politician OF
the modern school, however and ask him:
What chance will / stand of getting a
tain position IL 1 have such and such in
dorsement?' He replies promptly without
equvocation and yet with more real kind
ness than was shown by the old-school
politician: YOU will stand no chance
at ALL You want to know the reason
for this and here again you see the differ
ence between the two methods The modern
politician talks TO you after this fashion:
| My friend. you have, In the first place. not
made the slightest showing OF fitness for
| the position you ask at my hands Instead
of that you base your claim solely on the
amount OF influence you may be able 10
bring TO bear on the appointing powers.
| Again let me ask you, what have you done
! for your party that you expect TO be given
/ this appointment in preference 10 scores
of others who have toiled and sweated In
The trenches and who are clanioring fo-
their reward? When applicants for public
Office are Of equal qualifications or fitness.
and one has worked zeslously for the sue
cess Of the party that is in power. while
The other has stood idly by and allowed
things to drift along in their own way. the
politician who has the appointing power
will undoubtedly. and Justly. too. give pref
! crence to the man who has done the work
/ Thus you see. my young friend the reason
Why you would stand 70 show o. getting the
/ consulate YOU covet. You have had a plain.
uneauivocal answer, and I think when you
have pondered what I have told you you
will see that the modern is the better way,
after all"
DECIDING A VEXATIOUS CASE.
| Another interesting phase OF Senator Bev-
eridge's character was witnessed by man
who happened TO be in the junior senator's
office one day recently when he was busily
engaged in hearing the pleas OF delegations
from various parts OF the State that were
DESTROYS of having certain men appointed
postmasters in their respective towns or
cities. 1t is well known that many high
officials worry themselves almost sick over
the question OF what particular man, out OF
the scores of applicants for position. shall
be favored with the plum" Governor
Mount might. IL is believed. have lived some
/ years longer than ne did had he not allowed
himself to be harassed by office-seekers
and their nyriads OF well-meaning friends
during his incumbency of the gubernatorial
Office Senator Beveridge evidently does
not intend 10 die by the "office-seeker"
method. lie has an entirely unique and de-
cidedly interesting way OF settling the ap-
pointment question. Instead OF worrying
and fretting himself into a state OF nervous
prostration or something akin 10 that NAL
ady he simply lets 1.-The other fellows" do the
worrying During the period previously
mentioned the senator was seated in his
Office one day awaiting the coming Of
fresh delegation 10 replace the one OF which
he had just disposed He had not long TO
wait The delegation came. and II was OF
considerable size. Worse still. the men,
bers hailed from a locality in which was
waging ono of the most vexatious post
office fights" that either OF the United
states senators has thus far been called or
10 settle Everybody connected with the
natter had begun 10 acquire gray hairs,
except Senator Beveridge His mind to
| all intents and purposes, was free from
care AS soon as the delegation took seats
II the office the leader began his plea for
the appointment Of the man in whose in
terest Re and his associates were working
The senator listened intently 10 All the
man had TO say and then remarked suavely.
Il am going 20 decide this matter your
way"
The man could scarcely believe his ears
II hardly know how 90 thank you. sena-
tor" he calculated smile spreading over
his entire face.
Yes" continued Senator Beveridge. II
am going 20 submit this case % you and
let you decide il. I want you 10 consider
yourself IN the position Of trustee for
the people and want YOU 10 hear the facts