The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-14
TOWERMAN WINS
A $4,000 JOB
Railroad Operator at $50 a
Month Made Port Warden.
WORKED FOR PLACE Is YEARS.
ARspuhIlcan Politician, He Did Much fer
the Party and Is Suitably
Rewarded.
WORKED FOR PLACE Is YEARS.

New York. April lt-From the railroad
signal tower operator at Rye at $50 a
month 10 member Of the board OF wardens
Of the port of New York at an estimated
income from fees of from $1,000 to $4,000
. year is a long jump. Richard OBrien
OF ortchester. the man who has accom-
plshed IT, is not unduly excited 1t Is
no surprise 10 him. He has been working
for IL In quiet. persevering way for the
last 10 years. And he has accomplished
II. or will have done so when the senate
has confirmed the appointment sent TO
them on Friday hy Governor Odell
This man, who has won the stake for
which he strcve. had the good fortune 10
be born I'm Columbia county and the sense
60 tie fast from boyhood 10 the political
apron strings of Lou" Payn. When Is
years ago. he settled In Portchester. i'm
the employ OF the New York New Haven
g. Hartford railroad. he captured the
heart and hand Of the favorite sister of
Congressman William Ryan. who worked
up 70 the possession of million dollars
and political Influence on the Republican
side.
HE WORKED AT POLITICS.
Farmer boy though he was. with naught
but the education afforded by country
district school. he rose i'm the service OF
the road by dint OF assiduous application
until he filled the responsible II not re-
munerative post OF tower signal operator
al Rye, a few miles from his Portchester
home. He devoted all OF his time that
was not spent with his family or at his
telegraph key To the interests of his
N RI 10 ina nf faf ttl
service is the office which is about TO
be handed to him
Yesterday, in the midst of his family,
IN a cozy little cottage, he was loath 10
talk about himself. He proudly pointed.
however. to his charming wife and his
four healthy children and said. waving his
hand toward them:
Yes. | am a happy mani"
Mrs. OBrien put I'm word:
Don't bring me and the children in
she said. 'for II there is anything / wish
20 avoid at this time it Is the bid for
social prominence. 7 only hope that Dick
will keep on going up in public life.
have every confidence In him."
Asked for his political sponsors Mr.
O'Brien only incidentally mentioned Mr.
Payn. He named first Cogressman
William j.. Ward, the present Republi-
can leader. OF Weschester County-who,
although he praises O'Brien as an ener-
getic party worker, declares that the
westchester Republicans did not request
his appointment but approved IL after
1t was started ''up the state"--and then |
went on TO mention Hamilton Fish. |
Senator Plat and Payn. as men who did /
not object TO him.
He will report for work In his lonely /
signal tower at O'Clock this morning. as
usual. and continue there, at least until
his appointment is confirmed
He will take the place OF Hiram Cas-
kins. President OF the board There are
nine Port Wardens. They have an Of
flee at No. ! Broadway. and their duties
are TO examine the condition of the stor-
age and cargoes OF incoming vessels, and
10 attend an dsuperintend the sales OF yes
sells.
The other members OF the board are:
Isaac w. Edsall. Daniel O.. Vedder.
Charles IL. Dauchy, James +. Begnam.
Wilbur w. Capron, Robert NJ. Johnson.
John VI. Gunner and James +. March.
A. w. Dodge Is the secretary In the
past men with great political influence.
who arc able 10 deliver the goods" on
election day, have been appointed TO these
"fat" positions