Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-16
T WAS the sudden change of front

upon John Weaver, mayor of Phila-
delphia, and for the moment, at leas,
caused him to be the one dominating
figure before the public eye He had
just before, with natural pride, es-
corted a party Of his old friends and his
relatives, who came from England to
visit him, across the continent. For
these kinsmen there was nothing in
all the wonders OF American life that
they saw on their way from Philadel-
phia to Oregon that could compare
with the wonder that he, whom they
had known as a lad in England born
in obscurity, familiar with poverty,
should be the mayor of one Of the
great American cities, and a city,
too, as we'll known in England as
New York or Chicago, and at one time
much better known.
Suddenly Mayor Weaver left--it
might almost be said. abandoned-that
family party upon the Pacific
coast, and came as rapidly as possible,
to Philadelphia. 1t was thought that
he had returned in order to make easy
or plausible, and officially legal, the
proposed gas lease which the great con-
delphia life for many years proposed
to execute with the approval of coun
ellis, the authoritative body which, IN
other cities, is called the board of al.
Germen, or the councilmen. Upon that
return Journey from the Pacific that
amazing change in the character, or
at least in the public attitude of Mayor
Weaver must have taken place. He
went away bearing with him the good
will and the confidence of that powerful
circle which controlled and for years
mastered the politics and the admin
istration of the city of Philadelphia
1t was, of course, presumed that he re-
turned to act again as the subservent
and complacent servant of that gang.
When a mere lad John Weaver came
to the United States from England,
and probably not as a first class pas
senger, by ocean steamship.
His Early Career
He was an immigrant, even at that
early age, because it seemed to him,
or to his family, that he would find
better chance in the United States than
in Great Britain. In that decision
there probably may now be detected
some of the fundamental, but for long
time obscure, traits of character which
Mr. Weaver has recently so trf1fnph4
antly made use of. For what special
reason he went to Philadelphia has
never been told, but he was there as
lad, somewhat ambitious to get on
with rather attractive manner. In
stead of turning to business life, seek
Ing employment that might meet with
promotion, as merchant or manu-
turer, young Weaver determined
to study stenography. He mastered
that art very rapidly, showing in his
swiftness of aquisition of these sym
bolic marks something of that gift
which he afterward displayed when
practicing law.
Fairly remunerative employment
came to MIN, in the office of a lawyer
who was afterward more or less asso-
ciated with the dominating of politics
of Philadelphia. Young Weaver must
have learned, accidentally, and without
any secretive listening, much that FAM
iliarized him with politics and ring
methods IN Philadelphia while he wa S
still serving as a stenographer. But
whatever he learned seemed at that
time to make no impression upon him.
The only ambition that came to him
as a result of his service as stenog-
rapher was that which, if gratified,
would make him a Philadelphia law
yer. He therefore began the study
of law in that office. 1t was precisely
the preparatory school from which sew
eral lawyers who afterward gained
einence have graduated. William ID.
Guthrie, of this city, began his training
for the high professional work he has
since done, as stenographer in a law
Office in New York. Two or three who
afterward became corporation counsels
for New York city began in like man
ner, and it was by means of a train
ing school Of that kind that Postmaster
General Cortelyou first commanded the
attention of his superiors, so that by
merit and fitness he gained successive
promotions, until at last he entere a
presidents cabinet.
Secret of His Success
A certain complacency, combined
with faithfulness and most agreea BILE
personality, commended young Weaver
to the lawyers who employed him, and
they aided him in every way to get
legal preparation necessary for admis-
sion to the bar. He was admitted in
due time, and his first practice as a
lawyer was similar to that of many
lawyers who are compelled to accept
any retainer that may be offered. Wea-
yer was employed chiefly as q collec-
tion lawyer and as he had much tact
and common sense and was also per-
slstent, he was fairly successful in that
rather humble professional work. A rec
ord Of this kind and gift for making
friends and fnSnirino oonado.s