Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-24

copy right, 1914, by facn Bros New YORK;
the President. They have been the buffets
between the President and the public They
have arranged many matters that have re-
quired skill and tact. They have kept the
President straight" on matters of detail
and have taken from his shoulders the bur-
den of executive details. But Col Lamont,
in the opinion of many people who are IA
miliar with the White House and it's occu-
pants for a generation, raised the office to
the highest level of Impotence that had
ever attached to it
The fact that President Cleveland
practically in terra incognita when he was
brought into the arena of national politics
and lacked a thorough acquaintance even
with the political leaders of his own state
when he became governor gave to Lamont
an opportunity that few private secretaries
have had. Lamont knew New York state
politics as a newspaper man. He knew
Albany because of his service In the Argus
OF that city which had made him familiar
with the state capital, the leaders and
methods of legislation. He was managing
editor of the Argus when Mr.. Cleveland was
elected governor, and Daniel Manning being
the proprietor of that paper Lamont went
to him to be recommended for the posi-
ton of private secretary to the governor.
He given the place largely upon the
recommendation of Manning and at once
became intimately associated with all the
affairs of the governor. When Mr.. Cleve-
land was elected to the presidency there
never any doubt that he would have
Apt Student of Politics.
In the larger field of national politics that
opened to Lamont in this city he was
an apt student. He had no extensive ac-
quaintance with public men of the country
and among national democrats he was al
most a stranger. But he learned quickly
and developed an ability to deal with men
and affairs that made him from that day
forward the trusted adviser of the Presi-
dent. Most other Presidents have come into
office after a long and varied experience in
politics, both national and in their own
states. They have as rule, been familiar
with national questions TO such an extent
as 10 give them convictions on all matters
of policy and TO make them familiar with
public men.
Mr. Cleveland not only was not acouaint-
ed with public men. He was not so con-
stttuted to be a success as a general
mixer with political leaders. all OF whom felt
that they were subjects calling for especial
consideration. He could not understand
why some of the men came to the White
House for political favors should be re-
ceived and treated as men OF especial i'm
portance 10 the party. While he ultimately
became immensely unpopular with his party
II has often been asserted that had ii not
been for Lamont Cleveland would much
sooner nave broken with the democratic
leaders. Lamont came between the Presi-
dent and the many democrats who came to
| this city seeking recognition. He was all
Lamont was safe confidant of the Presi-
dent in matters which it desired to
keep yelled in secrecy. Whatever Lamont
did he seldom talked carelessIy. He was
discreet To the last degree
His Career.
Daniel Scott Lamont was born at Cort-
| landviIle, Cortland county, New York Feb
| rudry 8, 1851. so that he was in his fifty
| fifth year when he died. His father John
| =. Lamont, and his mother. Elizabeth Scott.
are still living at McGrawville, In Cortland
county.
| Up 10 a few years ago his father kept a
! store In McGrawvllle, village of about
| 1850 persons. Daniels first work was as a
| clerk N this store. He went to the village
| school a the same time, and later TO Cen
\ trail Academy, which he left 10 enter Union
| College in 1872
| Young Lamont became a politician carly
| AT nineteen he was index clerk in the
| New Iork house of delegates, and in 1871
| was a delegate TO the state convention. He
! attracted the notice of Samuel j. TiIC;en and
the two became friends. When Tilden be-
! came governor OF New York Lamont was
made deputy clerk of the assembly
Daniel Manning. afterward Mr. Cleve-
| lands Secretary of the Treasury. induced
| Lamont, In 1877. TO report the proceedings
! of the New York legislature for the Albany
| Argus, which work brought him into con-
| tact with all the more important politicians
| of New York
He owed his introduction into politics to
| Edgar *. Apgar of Tompkins county, who
secured from Governor Hoffman the post
| of index clerk In the assembly for Lamont.
when he was nineteen years old. At twenty