The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25

politics, while Congressman Tawney OF Min
nesota, at the age OF 10, entered the black
smith shop Of his father as an apprentice
and subsequently learned the trade OF ma
chnist. Senator Stewart OF Nevada repre-
sents those pioneers who, attracted by the
gold discoveries In California, went thither
in the eos and Engaged In mining with pick
and shovel in what was afterwards to be-
come the state Of Nevada
Be Sure Then Go Ahead.
A man who aims to serve his fellow men
in the Legislature or In congress. or In ex-
ecutive positions, should first be sure and
then go ahead. II man is right he can
run the risk Of temporary failure, because
he Is sure to come out all right In tho end.
/ recall wildly one incident in my owns
career. was opposing certain measure
In congress which I did not consider was Just
Or proper. A delegation OF my friends who
had urged me TO support It were much
incensed at tho stand had taken. The
spokesman OF the delegation said:
. Your failure to do what we ask means
your political DEATH"
replied. as calmly I could under tho
circumstances: :" Possibly; but II were you
l would not order the funeral flowers yet"
knew what I was talking about at that
tli1ISs AsAS dStiOu uiu Iiot ieho W Ivy pOHt|t
ical death. am still in politics, and the
men who uttered the prediction OF my down
fall now admit that they made mistake
AiS X E2
Cong Is an Errand Boy.
A statesman, II he intends to continue as
such. must look after the interests OF his
constituents as well as enact laws. Nothing
must be too small or too difficult for him.
The late James G.. Blaine was an example
OF this sort Of thing. He never hesitated to
go around the departments and ask for posi-.
lions for his constituents. On one occasion
he called upon the appointment clerk Of the
treasury department and recommended
young man from his district for a minor
clerkship. He became fervent in pressing
the claims OF this constituent, and finally
wound up by declaring in his most eloquent
style:
do this for me and you will earn my
eternal gratitude"
It is unfortunate. butt Is true. that polit-
sical conditions are changed to such an extent
at the present time that q congressman Is
now not much more than an errand boy for
his constituents. He must go to the war
department., the navy. state. and treasury
departments, and to the executive mansion
several times a week seeking tayors for those
he represents. Necessarily this prevents 3
! man from giving the thought!a and attention z
that he would like to give the enactment
OF laws that are intended to benefit the
country at large. The man who can make
happy medium usually wins out.
4
Greet Opportunities IN Future.
Great opportunities await the statesmen
of the future. Great rewards are in store for 1
men OF character and capacity, and the
young man who would win these should go In
training for politics as he would go in train
ing for the law. the church. or medicine. Let
him fl himself for It by a course OF severe
study and discipline, and the chances are
nine out OF ten that he will succeed. He must
develop certain characteristics. One is that
of fidelity to friends. Another that will be
more rigidly demanded as the years go by
is fidelity to the public. The time Is coming
when honesty will be the best policy in public