The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-05-31

played, his passing chrOnlcled and n
MIS- written at the bottom of the page
by the same newspaper that almost
before the editions telling of his down.
fall had found resting place in the
ash heap were reporting his renewed
lease of power and supporting him in
the measure that he had adopted to re-
coup his falling fortunes.
CleveIands Popularity.
Bourke Cochran said Grover Cleve-
land was the most popular man in the
United States except on election day.
Quay was the most unpopular man in
Pennsylvania on every day but election
day.
Reviled from the pulpit and con-
demned in the business world, the sub
ject of the gravest charges that were
ever allowed to pass unanswered,
brought to the verge of states prison
on a charge of embezzling the public
funds, Mr.. Quay, individual, on election
day was able to muster to his support
the greatest republican majority re-
corded throughout the Union.
He was powerful in the council of
the nation, an enemy feared, a col
league respected and history must
record him a president maker.
Yet in a career of twenty-five years
in the United States senate he never
originated a piece of Legislation or
never took rank above the level of an
adroit politician.
Senator Quay's office holding record
may be briefly told. He first held Of
flee as prOthonary of Beaver county in
1855. Serving in that office until 1859
Pennsylvania and as a member of that
body he created for himself the po-
sition of recorder of Philadelphia,
which he filled until he entered the
cabinet of Governor Hartranft In
1865 he was elected state treasurer and
in 1887 he entered the United States
senate 10 Succceu JONI l. MITCHELL
Quay never left the senate after that
except for a period of two years when
the Legislature deadlocked at the ex-
pirate of his term, and his down.
fall was recorded only to be followed
by his reelection to the senate to sue
coed himself at the next meeting of
the Legislature.
Source of Power.
Quay's sources of power are matter
was not an attractive man person.
ally Short of stature, his face was
sallow, his eyes .ailing and filmy, his
manner rude and abrupt But he had
an iron will, commanding knowledge
of men and a supreme contempt for all
obstacles.
He was born in 1888 in Pennsylvania
In early life he travelled throughout
the southwest as Snowman. Then
he studied law, and for a few months
during the civil war saw active ser
vice after which he became military
secretary to Gov. COrbin, and from the
taste which he got of politics from the
feet of of the governor Of Pennsylva-
mia. deliberately entered upon a po-
litical career as the one which held
out the greatest promise of fame and
profit to an aspiring young man.
Quay kept before his mind from the
beginning his own interests exclusive
ly. Turning from Curtin to Cameron.
on the decline of the formers power.
he shortly distanced his new sponsor
and the early seventies found him en-
His progress was onward and up
ward. 1t is not generally known that
he was a close student, rare Latin
scholar, an omnivorous reader and in
private life man of considerable Gull
ture. and it may afford students some
pleasure to think how differently his
career might have resulted should he
have APPLIED his talents in other ways.
Politics became his forte, and to this
he devoted his life.
Crowd Of Supporters.
Supporters began TO flock about the
master mind. From all he exacted i'm
plicit obedience. He selected his lieu
tenants carefully, placing one in each
county of the state and holding each
responsible for results for what he was
assigned. Through these aides. pa
tronage. was distributed. and under
their direction Quay, being in supreme
command, the plans Of the leader We're
carried out.