The news & observer., 1905-12-31
Spirit of the Press.
A Romance of Politics.
News-Leader.

RlCnQOllu NeWS-1~CdOCi'
BY the election of Mr.. James Is;
Pace as city treasurer OF Rlcnmohd
Yesterday, one of the prettiest roman
ces of politics was completed. ears
ago Mr.. Pace was the richest man
here his wealth being estimated well
into the millions. He was very gen
erous in a very quiet way. When
cases of poverty were brought to MS
attention he delighted to supply relief
abundantly but with discrimination
and care so as to be a real helper.
AS bank president he was liberal and
especially consderate of young men
lust beginning business, and of those
who were in trouble. He did not seek
or court popularity, had no dream that
he ever would seek or need to seek
any public office and did not thrust
himself forward.
In the course of time and the Vscis-
STUDIES of business his fortune was
lost and he became comparatively a
poor man, and was no longer COM
manding figure in the financial life of
the city. When his candidacy for the
city treasurership. Which is virtually
a life position at a liberal salary, was
announced recently. these old good
deeds of his sprung suddenly into life
to work for him after twenty or thir-
ty years. All over Richmond. in ev-
cry class of society, men remembered
kindly and generous things he had
done in the past for them or their
fathers or friends The opportunity
to do something to return the old OBJ
legations was accepted eagerly and
gladly. The politicians and the organ
iZations were not with Mr.. Pace, but
before this tide of sentiment they were
swept away like straws. In every
ward and precinct men who in one
way or another had been under obll-
cations to Mr.. Pace made their de-
sire to repay and their affectionate re-
membrance of old favors above all
working man who in time of pinch
or distress had received a helpful
friendly lift from Mr.. Pace or had
seen a comrade or some member OF
his family so favored. There it was
a business man whom Mr.. Pace tided
over a close place years ago. There,
again, it was q woman who in times
gone by knew his bounty. These
things were brought up and told in
the shops. in the homes, the clubs
and offices. Consequently he develop
ed spontaneously strength which aston
ished his most sanguine friends, the
most experienced political prophets
and himself. There is no doubt as
to his capacity and fitness for the
place, but other men as capable and
efficient and as trustworthy offered.
His kindly deeds done and forgotten,
the substa ntial help he gave to SO
many fifteen, twenty and thirty years
ago, rose up from the obscurity of time
and crowded to the polls for him. CIV
ing him a majority beyond all cal
culation.
Judging from our own experience
and observation, we think more kindly
of human nature, perhaps, than most
people do We believe the great ma
jority of men and women remember
kindnessess and but await the oppor-
tunity to prove that gratitude lives,
and that the vast majority love to do
good rather than i'll and are ready
| to help others as they can. 1t is very
| rarely, however, than an opportunity
such as this comes or is SO beautifully
and generally used. 1t is not often
that bread cast upon the waters comes
| back to us after SO many years so dis
tinctly and directly.