New-York tribune., 1910-10-23
Sam Koenig
And How He
Got There
IS FOND OF A fIGH1
The East Side Knows Him as
PopuIar Leader and Stead
fast Friend.

Popular Leader and oteao-
fast Friend.
ssuaueI KoenIe Secretary OF State. was
asked the other day by R number OF news
naoer men II he liked & political fight His
answer was. Yes. I nave been fighting
al nv life 7 have even had TO fight for
tbs bread that I ate in my boyhood days
This reference 10 his early struggles led
one Of The newspaper men 10 ask him
something about his life history. and as
Il was rnfolded Il showed how a young
man. born of humble parents. brought up
o. the great East Side OF New York amid
poverty and want and suffering and prtva-
tions can rise above hts environments. at
tain an education. go through college re-
ceive al honorary degree al law, become
one of the big leaders Of great party
II the city OF New York. receive an ap-
potnrnent from Governor OF the state
20 an important Office and afterward be
elected 10 one OF the highest Offices within
the gift OF the people.
z YOU 20 over on the East Side Of New
York and mingle with the varied nationali-
ties which so 70 make up that cosrnopoli-
tan section OF the city and ask them who
snonC the vast throng is the man who
deals out all sorts Of favors, their answer
ir likely 70 be, sam kOenig."
KoeniE Is a young man, being this side Of
forty He has q quick alert mind man
who has known him since boyhood II
spesk1nE about him the other day said
that he has never seen him In temper.
He has dealt with trying difficulties Of
ali kinds, but he is always cool and calm
People come 20 him daily with all sorts
Of troubles and sor-ows and tales OF woe.
They receive aid. Some come 20 him ask
ing for political jobs. Some OF them get
v-1at they want; others come 10 him with
kicks because they haven't been given po-
IiticaI Jobs. Some OF them become mad and
talk IN & loud voice at Koenig. but through
II al the little w4ry. spectacle-eyed leader
CT the sth Assembly District sits calmly.
talks quietly and never allows his voice
70 -1se above the ordinary speaking tone.
FIND HIM At THE CLUB.
II TIE many years that he has been
leader OF the district he has rarely missed
g Monday night 81 the Federal Club. II
IS always tanrned with people Of all
classes, most OF them seeking aid IN some
form Perhaps broken hearted mother
Is in the crowd Her soldier son has been
sent 70 prison fer some minor Of
fence She knows that -Koenig Will write
6 letter 20 the commanding officer or 10
the Secretary Of War, explaining the facts
IL the case and beseeching mercy for her
boy. Another woman, with babe at her
breast. is there seeking a pardon for her
husband. who is in one OF the states pris-
ous. and she. TOO. knows that Koenig viii
interest himself IN her behalf.
over in the corner sits an aged man
iu ~ ~pa NJ no
states institutions. Parental love bids him
20 10 Koenig and seek his assistance in
having his daughter paroEe6- Perhaps there
is q Jewish rabbi II the crowd asking aid
for some worthy person He departs with
E handsome gift.
The next TO take q chair alongside OF
the Secretary Is perhaps a woman who
has just received notice that she is to be
eyiCred from her home on the East
Size in the morning She shows Sam"
the dispossess notice. He turns Z over 70
one Of his district captains with instruc-
tions 10 see that the woman retains her
home. She goes away with a blessing for
her comforter. Next IL line is a woman
who wants 70 get pass TO some state
prison TO visit her husband; another wants
her husband transferred, perhaps from
Central IsIip 70 Wards Island; another
wants some position in the state instttu-
tons; man wants his boy transferred
from TIE battleship Missouri 10 the Brook
lyn navy yard 4 solder doing duty at
Fort Coventry wants 20 be transferred to
Fort Hamilton
And so on al the way down the line. il
Is one continual night OF 1avor asking, and
fev. II any. there are who go away empty
handed or without some word Of encourage
uenr- KoeniK writes hundreds Of letters
week peUlIioniug for al sorts Of favors for
his constituents. and Il has been said that
10 district leader IN New York writes as
many letters TO so many different persons in
public and in private life IN behalf Of the
people q his district as the Secretary Of
State
DOWN IN POLITICAL Row
Eoenig lives in Political Row in 7th