The Tucson citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Ariz.) 1901-1928, 1902-03-05
MR.. WHHNEy'S VIEWS.


In announcing his retirement from
active hustness pursuits, Mr.. William
c Whitney. OF New York. also lntl-
mates that ii is his purpose never
again Ia he drawn into active politics.
te is willing. it is said to act as a
sort of guide philosopher and friend
if his party needs his assistance But
beyond that he will not go. He would
rather he a private citizen, free 10
live as he pleases, than be President.
The New York correspondent of the
Philadelphia Press quotes Mr.. whit
nev as saying that he had seen both
sides of the Presidential picture and
had been disillusioned. When his term
as Secretary Of the Navy ended, he Is
reported to have remarked to
friend that he had been discharged
cured" That is to say, the longing
which he once had for public career
had vanished, and the life OF private
citizen filled the measure of his ambi-
ton.
Mr.. Whitney is a most interesting
man as we'll as a highly successful
one. He has acquired great wealth
through his business ventures. He is
level-headed man of affairs-cau-
tious when caution Is necessary,
al, iS
at so years of age. he has decided to
devote the remainder of his life to
such pursuits as his tastes may APP
prove. Being bountifully supplied with
the good things of this world, with his
business interests in sucn shape that
they will not require his constant per-
snnal attention. Mr.. Whitney is in an
admirable position to play the part
of a philosophical and disinterested
friend to the political party with which
he has been associated for many
years A dash into politics occasion
ally may add spice to his life He may
not find racing in England and in the
United States, or adventures in the
field OF high finance. or the clash of
rival street railway interests in New
York-exciting as these diversions may
be-sufficient OF themselves to satisfy
his acute and versatile intellect What
could be more natural even for the
politician who was discharged cured.
than that he should add to the variety
of this declining years by interesting
himself, if only in philosophical
way in the affairs Oh the nation? 1t
may be true. as stated. that MIR. Whit
ney does not aspire to the Presidency.
But the mere fact that citizen does
not want political honors for himself
ought not to make him wholly indif
ferent to the political evolution of his
own country. Such indifference is not
compatible with good citizenship
Mr.. Whitney enjoys the reputation Of
being one of the best and most pro-
gressive citizens of New York.
There are persons in the confidence
of Mr., Whitney who say that he has
recently devised plan by which the
Democratic party in the nation may
regain rs former ascendency. Umortu-
nately they will not ulvfulge the secret
impaired to them by the able and in
teresting lew York. IL was not kind
in Mr.. Whitney to go to the South into
temporary retirement, and take his
solution of the problem with him. The
New York correspondent of the Phil
adelphia Press, who processes to be
familiar with Mr.. Whitney's views,
says that gentleman does not believe
in the revivifying force of second
handed craftsmanship" This is vague
and unsatisfying. The correspondent
represents Mr.. Whitney as writing 81
friends in New York and warning them
against attempting to build up the
Democratic party upon the memory Of
those who are gone" Jefferson is gone
Jackson Is gone, Tilden is gone. IN
the Whitney estimation they are evil
IDENTIFY pack numbers" What is need
cd, Mr.. Whitney is represented as
saying Is new leadership in new men
of this day" What kind of new men,
we wonder. would Mr.. Whitney select?
"A conservative. like Richard Olney,
tor instance, or a radical like Tom
Johnson. 1t is a pity Mr.. Whitney was
not more explicit.