The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-09-05
lI{ NEW ZEALAND'S
~! REAL RULER

quantities along the west coast Of New
Zealand, and thither went Seldom, little
richer than when he left England But
he had learned one thing-that digging
for gold is not the best way of making
money at the gold diggings. He start
! ed a saloon at a mining camp, and
soon became the most popular man in
the place.
First Of all, he ran a small shanty on
the roadside and dispensed a little
cheap rum and whisky. Money rolled
in, and he was soon able to run a
better saloon, and to establish big
mercantile business when the diggings
became more settled and civilized.
AS a Bendigo, Dick Seddon's fist was
a. powerful civilizing influence. AL
though saloonkeeper he had horror
OF drunkness. Any drunken digger
who entered his saloon was speedily
gathered up in his muscular arms and
thrown, neck and crop, into the street.
II remember way back in 1863" said
an old colonist, Hearing man in
Seddon's saloon make a foul remark
about woman in the settlement.
Digger Dick vaulted across the bar,
! took him by the throat, threw him to
the ground and nearly shook the life
| out Of him. Three of the mans friends
who were drinking at the bar, caught
| hold of him, but Dick shook them off
as a terrier shakes off rats and held the
man down until he took back his
| words. 4.
"Dlck was always chivalrous toward
| women. They were safe from insult
| even in the toughest minig camp if he
happened to be there.
but though he was a great fighter,
he was always on the side of law and
order. They say he prevented many a
riot and lynching in the old lawless
days, and did everything in his power
to civilize the mining district
AS the years passed by he grew rich
and became the most popular man in
the place. The workingmen sWbre by
him, for he had been a workingman
himself; and he did not forget his old
| friends when he became prosperous.
Even to this day when he goes down to
the country where he made his money,
the chums of his mining days call him
Dick, and talk to him as if he was still
one of themselves.
Seldom increased in popularity by
warmly advocating the interests of the
miners in their frequent disputes with
the government officials. Incidentally,
he was elected to several local offices,
and in 1879 was sent to the New Zenal-
and parliament as the representative
of one of the mining districts. He has
held his seat since then without a
break, winning every, election.
In the old days political life was
strenuous in New Zealand. Oftentimes,
when addressing public meetings or
canvassing for votes, he was obliged
to "prove his doctrines orthodox by
apostolic blows and knocks.' =
New Zealanders are fond of telling
how he rescended from the platform
at one rowdy meeting, walked through
the yelling crowd up to a couple of the
ringleaders, seized one with each hand
dragged them from their seats, kicking
and lighting, and threw them down.
stairs without anybody's help. Then
he went back to the platform and
calmly finished his speech and amid
respectful silence. K >:~:ss IL LIZ !: :,
Seldom soon became recognized as
one Of the strongest3men in the Radica
party: When Premier Ballance died
in 1888. every body said there W as :sne
d one. no could succeed II I'M alhd hold
h the part togeth al he had done. Hi
s Seldom stepp ed4in to#l 81 SYaeantssplac
and soon led III Rid in Hi