The daily Alaskan., 1907-11-11

political bo,s Of the city, Afr, steBens draws a vivid character sketch of this remarkable colleRe-bred leader, who once held entire political control of the great Western city. We read:
 A Latin Jew, Ruei has a cunning -miDd, bu, at heart he Is an artist He is always playing part, and while he picks his play with sharp intelligence, be fools himself and he forgsts that the side-bozss can see him making up, Ruei knows how to become boss, Most bosses don't. They have certain un- conscious personal gifts, and by instinct take advantage of circumstances which lift them into power. Ruei knew as very young man how to rise in politics. He told me his story one forenoon. He lied, he always lies exlrayagsntlY, tOOlisbly, even wheu.he knows you know the truth. Abe Ruef never had that virtue which is so commonly attributed to the political boss; he cared little for his given word. And ltls 'IyIng" that many of his friends and his worst enc mics condemn him most severely, Heuey, for example, de,pises "the damned lisr D so utterly that he won't have aby personal dealings with him even in jail as a states witness But Ruers lying is harmless. It doesn't deceive Heney; 1t shouldn't deceive anybody; ll isn't deceptive at all It's imagination, subjective but vivid. Ruei is Sentimental Tommy" When he was telling me his story that UOrninR Ca month before he pleaded guilty), he created for me a wonderful image of himself; a young political genius, edu- Cated at a university, born master of the ward game, but wl.h the ideals of cultured miud. He planned great things for a great city.
 As he painted bis picture, he was ias- cIulted by It; as he told of his fight year by year, he lost himself in the warmth of creation. But there were facts in the tale, and 1t seemed to me that could feel the difference every time he struck the foundation of truth. No doubt he did have dreams; wasn't be dreaming as he talked? And "I fought, he said; again and again he said it; "So I fought" Taken in a. secretary of the ward committee Of his CRepublicanl party because he could write, be would not obey. He made demands, and when they were not granted, he bO'ted. Well, tSat is one secret of success: to fight, Most polid- ciaus and most men make the mistake of trying by obedience and service to rise by desert; they are true to parry. This young Jew realized as an under. 
 qraduts that the bosses, both in politics and business, fight; they aren't loyal to anybody or anything. Wherefore ev- cry body tries to placate them.
 The oher politicians were forever trying to pIacate Ruei, and he never could be placated long. Taking what they gave him, he rose higher and higher, and, demaudiDg ever more, he came at last to want to run the city. The other, older bosses could not con sent to this and be bosses; and that's how Ruef came to split the Republican party, organize the Labor party, and, by secret deal with the Democratic party, seize the city "I fought" he said, and, having the power, the busI- nesses back of the older bosses backed him, Throughout the story, among all the romance, the boss showed me that he saw clearly the principle Of bis rise. But he showed 1t. He wanted me to see it and himself doing it.