Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-05-04

ing figure in the east, where men are
regimented and classified and conven-
tionalized until they cease to possess
or shrink from showing individuality.
Senator Jones spoke Of the friends
whom death has removed. especially of
his once colleague in the senate, George
Hearst. and of John w. Mackay.
These two and Jones himself We're
the three very rich Californians most
liked, because most characteristic of
their day. All made their money in
the mines, and all We're humanized in
stead Of hardened by wealth.
The California pioneer was personi-
fed by Senator Hearst in perfection.
He began at the bottom, with empty
pockets, a pair of willing hands,
pluck that nothing could discourage
and resolution to succeed that COM
PEELED success. millions came to
him he remained the same man his fell
low miners in the gulches knew-clear
headed, shrewd, direct, good humored
and warm hearted. The management of
vast and complex interests was as easy
to him us the handling Of the rocker
at Long Tom, but he did not seem to
recognize that this talent differentiated
him from his comrades of the mines.
"Why should money change man7"
he would say in conversational intima-
cy, Except to make him bigger and
better by enabling him to be his best
self? II you're poor you have to do
what.you can. and somebody else gives
you orders. but If you're rich you're
free to be what you like"
And this particular millionaire liked
to be democratic American.
That is what distinguished the sue
cessful Californlans for the most part
their democracy. Assumption of su-
periority. pretension to being different
in kind from those around them, arro-
gance, aloofness-these traits were for
hidden by their knowledge of life and
sense of humor.
Senator Hearst confessed that he was
made humble by his good fortune.
| Il was nearly n middle aged man."
he related, ''when l started from Cal
ifornia over the mountains with n
party for the new Washoe mines. The
day was hot, the grade steep, and
fell behind. l got off my horse and
sat down in the shade, ficking the dust
in the road with my switch and Won
dering if I'd better go on to the Com
stock or turn back. I'd left little mill
behind-nothlng much, but there was a
living in 1t. If went ahead to this
untried field the chances were I'd sc
broke and have to begin all over again
But l started after the boys, just MS
much for company's sake as anything
else. and inside year I'd made my
first million.
Now, why did that happen to me es-
pecially? 1t could just as well have
happened to anybody else.
Put on airs because you've struck
1t rich? Oh, I've seen too many good
men go down who deserved to sue.
ceed, anu too many bad fellows get OF
who ought to have gone down, to be
puffed up by my own good fortune
Pm just thankful Those early days
tried men out. To be of distinguish
ed family back in the states' counted
for nothing. Neither did education
unless 1t could be applied. What Q
man was in himself, not what he had
not who his relatives were, was the
test. Ability and character were ev
erything."
In his old age leisure came to Sen
Htor Hearst, and he interested himself
in public affairs. he gave to the Pa
y cific coast its first Democratic news
J paper-the first Democratic newspapel