The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1905-08-31
Daniel 8. Lamont.

The career of Daniel S. Lamont en-
forces two thoughts-how high an
American may climb who has the sense
to seize opportunities and tact to please
people; the astounding number Of
our public men who die in what ought
to be the very prime of life. In jan
uary, 1888, Lamont was reporter on
the Albany Argus, with no higher am
bition, perhaps, than to work himself
up to n position on the editorial staff
at salary of $1,000 or $1,000. But
that month Grover Cleveland was in
Quoted into the gubernatorial office.
Governor Cleveland had scarcely ever
been outside of Buffalo. He was elect
ed by reason Of forces operating inside
the Republican party over which he
had no control whichever. 1t was fate.
His acquaintance with New York pub
lie men was painfully small. He asked
Daniel Manning, subsequently his first
| secretary of the treasury, to name him
| sensible, capable young man as his
| private secretary. Manning knew La
mont well, because the latter had
lOI ycuIS Dttll Ollc VI Ills COTDS Ok
reporters on the Argus. Consequently
Manning suggested him to Cleveland,
and the governor appointed Lamont.
That was the first step In his rapid pro-
motion. Cleveland found him reliable,
useful, active, tactful and close
mouthed. SO when he became presi-
dent March 4, 1885, he made Lamont
private secretary. That was step No.
9 In Lamont's ascension of the golden
ladder. No president ever had more
thoroughly ideal secretary. The chief
function of that otfice-now secretary
to the president"-is to act as buffer
between that eminent official and the
people. Lamont had rs much patience
as Job, as much politeness as Chester.
field and modicum of Solomop's wis!
dom. 1t was said by Won Moltke's
admirers that he knew how to hold his
tongue in seven languages. With how
many languages Lamont was familiar
do not know-most probably with
only one-but If he had been master OF
all spoken by the children of men
since the confusion of tongues at Ba
bel he would not have blabbed In any
Discretion was his forte; tact, the quail
ity which led him ON to eminent sue
cess in both politics and finance. He
completely gained the confidence of his
eXacting chief and rendered him inval
liable service. When Cleveland rubbed
the hair the wrong way of the hide or
his visitors, which he frequently did
and they left his presence breathing
curses not loud, but deep, their rufiled
feathers were smoothed and theil
wounded feelings poulticed before they
got out Of Den Lamont's room. Sc
necessary did he make himself Il
Cleveland that when the latter begal
his second term in the White Hous,
he made Lamont secretary of war
Gtep No. 3. In exactly ten years and
two months he had jumped from being
n reporter on the Argus to cabine
position, and he made tiptop wal
secretary. engendered the minimum o.
friction betwixt the war department
and the army and left the public serv
Ice with extraordinary popularity.
He was made vice president of til,
Northern Pacific and director in man,
other great combinations and wal
rated -multimillionaire. The nomina
ton for the goveruorship OF New Yorl
was pressed upon him more than once
but he steadfastly declined, his who'll