The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-22

Der OF the Republican central committee.
After Harrison's defeat for President in
1882 1 called a meeting of prominent
party workers, at which / said that Re-
publicanism was doomed IN Chicago un-
less we had an efficient organization OPP
position developed. on the ground that II
we educated politicians they would ulti-
mately displace Us as party managers,
but my suggestion was accepted. I went
from precinct TO precinct and almost
from house to house. That was seven
teen years ago. To-day Chicago has the
most scientific organization ever known
IN all the history OF American politics.
/ have told you frankly how ! got into
public matters. Let me add that had
no thought whatever Of making politics
my business"
Did you continue 10 be a street rail-
road conductor
No; I had learned enough about signs
TO paint a house. I became. therefore.
contractor, taking small jobs only and
doing the work myself"
Makes Money In Land.
And presently you attempted a specu-
lation Ia real estate?"
L purchased twenty acres of land from
William Pitt Kellogg, who had been gov
ernor Of Louisiana. young man whom
knew lad 5000 I hadn't a cent. We
bought the land for $4,000, paying 5000
as earnest money and giving three notes
for the balance. sold the land in one
evening and divided $4,000 with my part
ner. Afterward. bought 800 acres and
was deep in debt when Grover Cleveland
swept the country in 1872. 4 began 70
trade and sell right after the election.
getting a briclxyard, which have owned
and operated ever since. At the coming
OF the panic OF 1893 I was enabled, there
fore. to protect my remaining real estate
interests"
You were nominated for Congress in
1892" I said.
y didn't care to be a candidate at that
time" Senator Lorimer answered Il
was thirty-three years OF age While 7
hoped 20 be a member Of Congress.
had CANNED 10 wait until was fifty
I years old. But the district was 1000
DemOcrs tic and the huge majority fright
ened y man who was fit for the place.
tried FOR a long time to get csndi-
date. Run yourself said Doc Jamieson.
/ our national committeeman II you wait
until you are fifty you may be dead and
/ buried politically
! ''I took Janiieson's advice The stock
yards were located IN the district and I
/ had worked with nearly all OF the men
who were then in positions Of influence.
was elected and served twelve years
/ IN the House OF Representative
First speech "A Short One.
you have made several notable
speeches in Congress-" I said Tell me
about the first time you attempted to ad-
dress an audience"
TN 1872 was a candidate for clerk Of
the courts. I stopped at political meet
ing. Billy Mason had just finished one
OF his characteristics speeches. which had
been fine and funny. 1 vas called I
am no speech-malcer.' I said. After I am
elected clerk OF the Superior Court. I
want ell OF you 70 come 10 my Office, put
your feet on my desk. and smoke my
cigars. That is a verbatim report OF my
first political speech"
wow. I suppose you could talk for an
hour"
Il can talk for six weeks. However.
I never attempt 10 speak on any subject
that I DO not thoroughly comprehend
You have a large library. What dc
you read?"
7 have been compelled 20 read history
as you win understand. Dickens and
| Victor Hugo are my favOrite authors.
! liked Dickens before realized that he
described the very life have lived mysel:
poverty hunge--
( Hunger I repeated.
'Yes We were burned down IN 1874
during the>second big fire in Chicago. The
only thing We saved was a wash tub. All
the money we had was in a trunk. The
I following winter the whole family sur
I fered more than I care 20 think about
What are your recreaticns?'
| baseball when I I'm away from home
/ But yachting is my greatest pleasure. ]
! build a yacht nearly every season for the
races on the lakes. and my sons have be-
] come good Sailors. I own a farm Of So
acres In Michigan. and when I can afford
II I shall buy more land. especially In
! Oregon In my judgment land is the SAT-
est and best investment IN the United
States
Copyright. l9c0, by james r. Morrcw)