The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-10
By JAMES D. MORROW.

AS It is. they are energetic and adven-
turous multi-millionaires, with two daily
newspapers In which TO exploit their abili-
ties and to express their convictions
Nuts and bolts and steel wire displaced
leather during the second generation. The
grandsons Of The saddler of Dungannon.
Yale men, adaptable and dexterous, have
now turned to ink and paper
George Tener oliver appeared in the
Senate at the beginning of the recent
extraordinary session. His inltiatorv ex-
perience in Congress. therefore. was en-
tirely confined to the tariff Nothing
could have suited him better. Excluded
from the happy parade grounds In the
center Of the chamber, hidden away with
other raw recruits in obscure seats under
the edge OF the northwest gallery. he
listened day after day to fluent persons.
mostly lawyers talking technically and
positively about OIL wool, hides. pottery.
and lumber.
Like the late Marcus A Hanna, who
was also the blunt and opulent offspring
OF coal Gad iron. George T. oliver en-
ploys language only when he thinks Il
TO be necessary. Moreover. he was watch
ing and learning The mysteries and
transformation pertaining TO legislation
were being loudly explained and devel-
oped within HIS presence and his hearing.
lie was steady attentive and silent for
FIVE or six weeks
Tired OF Listening.
BY and by. however. It was observed
that he often moved nervously in his
chair, and that he sometimes turned his
face away from the clang OF bolsterous
oratory and looked Off into the empty air.
Palpably he was jaded. Tradition and
etiquette enjoin muteness upon the Sena-
torial apprentice. especially II he is mere
y a merchant. editor, banker, or manu-
facturer. Oliver. it is only fair 10 say,
tried his best TO qualify for the sacerdotal
brotherhood Of the Brahmans
Then one morning some lawyer from
the corn and wheat region OF the West
began discourse on iron-pig and scrap
After that. to the end, concerning fanlil-
lar schedules, particularly glass and
metal Oliver stood up when he had a
mind 10 and lifted the fog with the
laconicism and knowledge which at once
made him both dangerous and conspicu-
GUS
rs the supply Of iron ore" I asked
him. sufficient tor the future?''
IF You will read the recent tariff de-
bate IN the Senate" he replied YEARLY
waving his arm toward the dome OF the
Capitol. you VIII learn that there is
ore enough 10 last forever" BY his tone
ard gesture l could see that he had not
been impressed by the loose talking and
wordy lawyers
We faced each other across tho ma
hogany desk in his private office His
clothing. speech. and manner are wholly
without slngularity or affectation. Plenty
Of men on 5000 a year are better dressed
and more self-cOnscious. While his nose
and brow are masculine and intellectual
his eyes. large. dark. alert, and brilliant.
are his most commanding and distinguish
ing physical characteristic. The repres-
FiOns and exactions Of successful CONNER
cialism. first noticeable In the tongue
Rockefeller for example. until he became
his own Boswell. and Carnegie until he
turned philanthropist. and J. Pierpont
Morgan, even vet being sui I'm the
moil and press Of the money-malSers
find vent IN divers remarkably saga
cious. though not unfriendly. eyes.
Town Famous in History.
Beating the bushes. said: Were you
a poor boy?"
In a sense. yes. Ny father was a har-
nessmaker I'm the market town of Dun
cannon, Ireland, having a shop Of his
own and good business. Historically.
Dungannon is not without Importance
Shan O'Neale. the great O'Neale. rebel
warrior, and self-proclalmed king Of u
ster. lived there He hated the English.
and when some Of his men ate bread
instead OF oat cakes. IN imitation OF his
eliminate enemies, he put them TO death
we are told, TOO. that he was accustou-
ed to bury himself in.the mud TO reduce
the fever that followed the tremendous
revels in which he participated with his
lusty followers. Finally. the McDonalds,
OF Scotland, with whom he sat down at
a feast, murdered him. Il was in Dun
cannon also that the independence of the
Irish Parliament was proclaimed IN 17s2
Linens and common pottery are made
there now
lord Ranvarlay owned the building In
which my father kept his shop. When
the leading banker of the town stood for
Parliament he asked my father for hts
vote and my father gave his word al
though the son Of Lord Ranvarlay was
also candidate. But my father was a
conscientious and courageous man. and
belonged 20 the Liberal party Efforts
were made TO have him break his prom
Use. Lord Ranvarlay was not only his
landlord but his best customer NY
father voted for the banker
IN his resentment, Lord Ranvarlay
withdrew his patronage from the Oliver
harness shop aud passed the word among
the gentry. The boycott was Immediate
" and disastrously effective Ny mother
woman OF spirit. persuaded my father
20 sell what he had and emigrate to Amer
lea. He paid his debts and, coming TO
this country in 1912 with his wife and
four children, settled IN Allegheny, now
part Of Pittsburg. and engaged Ia the
business Of harnessmaking. 1 was seven
teen years old when he retired from busI-
ness. in 1860. He had accumulated some
property and lived 20 a great age in peace
and comfort SO I was neither rich nor
poor while a boy
Born fin Ireland
You happened to be born in Ireland
whittier your parents had gone on
visit?"
Six years after removing 10 this coun-
try my mother returned to the county
OF Tyrone, and there ] was born. in 1915
I was brought 10 our home in Allegheny,
however, a few months afterward."
nave heard that your brother. Henry
q. Oliver. becamg a messenger boy in
a telegraph Office when he was thirteen
years oid?" I said. emitting to mention.
however that at Henry w. divers death
he was the reputed owner Of 100000
worth OF productive property
Henry, older than myself. was born
in Ireland, before the family emigrated 10
the United States. As you say. he went
10 work at the age OF thirteen in the
National Telegraph Office as a messenger.
He carried dispatches for the delegates
who met In Pittsburg on February %
1S56. to organize the Republican party