The Washington herald., 1909-07-04
LOEB LIKES POLITICS
Dabbed in 1t Since Childhood and Has Made Great
Success of It,

Both in the city and up the State faith
.ful Republicans looked upon President
Tafrs appointment OF William Loeb, jr,
10 the collectorship of the port of New
York as piece Of outside Federal inter-
ference. The leaders had never consid-
cred Loeb leader. and none but leaders
heretofore had been in line for the place.
The collectorship invariably had been one
Of the choicest plums Of the patronage
handed out by the machine 10 some one
who had rendered enough service 10 the
organization 10 be worthy OF a salary Of
Sl20-0 year and the command Of sew
oral hundred government employees. II
was one Of a number Of fat positions,
through the control Of which the state
Republican machine had waxed powerful.
says the New York Evening Post
Loeb is regular enough, however He
vas in politics soon after he was twenty
2ne That was when he first began 10
york as stenographer- In order 10 get an
ppoinment 10 a post as court reporter
was necessary that he should have at
east the Endorsement OF his district lead
~ SO he Joined the Republican Organi-
-ation of his ward in Albany, and he has
cen a member cf the party ever since.
Equipment for his career was an indus
-lous strain from his German parentage,
high sense Of loyalty. and a keen per-
option Of character In others His edu-
alton ended through force OF circum-
~tanees with the completion Of high
chool course. and he went directly to
-ork in a law Office. taking up the study
r stenography- on the side. After two
ears Of this ne found that ne could
lake good money by shorthand report
ug. and ever ready to turn the hours Of
.ther night or day toward swelling his
ccome. the young stenographer left the
wv and devoted ali his time TO reporting.
What extra time ne had he worked in his
Iztrict for his political superiors-
First Search for office.
BY 1gsS he had become so well known In
zeal politics that he had succeeded in
1tting himself forward as a candidate
D official stenographer of the assembly,
nd was elected by a skillful marshaiing
his forces. Encouraged by this. he.
sgether with other employees around the
c. planned 10 make IT a daily report Of
e legislature. similar TO the Congress
onal Record at Washington So they
troduced the necessary measures and
orked them through both houses. only
have the appropriation vetoed by Gov.
H. This episode is cited 70 note LOeb's
dustry and his readiness TO take ad-
lntage Of political influence to advance
IS interests The period he spent in
lbany. in that atmosphere Of political
sals and conspiracies. was not without
8 effect upon him
rOr q number Of years he remai ined
-oWd the capitol. serving as stenog-
tpher in committees. secretary to J.
,oat Fassett. and stenOgrapher 10 Speak
Malby and Lieut.. Gov. SaXtOn. While
was with Fassett there developed a
-iendship that has continued TO this
-ay It was generally known that ar the
st national convention Loeb was con-
ulted repeatedly by Mr.. Taft upon
e advice Of Fassett, as TO the New
ork situation
Before the New York constitutional
invention OF 1894 Loeb entered into
~cntraCt 10 furnish a report Of the de-
ates Of the sessions for publication in
Albany newspaper. This did not last
ng. hut the transaction ended by his
acoming the stenographer Of the con-
sntion. The next year he was making a
Jecialty Of court work, and the next he
-as reporting speeches. Thus. year by
ear. he worked along industriOUsly. Civ
1g much of his time TO the game Of
politics.
Fought Barnes in Albany.
William Barnes. jr.. came into control
? the Albany Evening Journal and few
stber newspapers in the county. Incl
dentaly. he became Republican boss Of
Ibany and Albany County. It is said
tiat the leadership was handed to him
- virtue Of his becoming proprietor OF
70 string Of newspapers. Anyway. Loeb
md a few other adventurous spirits in
al politics did not Ike the way their
ew chief was appointed, nor the way the
ew organization was run. so they organ
zed a rump committee. and there was
lively time IN the county for several
months 1t ended by the new boss
making a compromise. Loeb got an ex-
ecUtive chamber appointment. 20 which
ne signature OF Barnes was attached.
While in Albany. the youthful politician
lved with his family, which consisted Of
q father, a brother. and three sisters. in
4 modest house on State street, and was
rot widely known outside Of local Demo-
cratic and Republican circles. His na-
tional career began in 1899 when the Re-
publican party had just scraped through