Evening journal., 1910-09-28
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Man Who Might Have
Been -?
BY "HolIand."
By "HolIand.p

When Daniel S. Lamont. private
secretary TO Governor Cleveland pri-
yatc secretary to President Cleveland,
and one of tho latter's secretaries OF
war. told me this anecdote. he pre-
faced IL with the statement: Il
want to tell you how a man you know
might have been President had he not
deliberately and with his eyes open
chosen another path.
This man." pursued Mr.. Lamont,
then vice-president Of the Northern
Pacific railroad, was comptroller Of
the state of New York from January I,
1877. TO November 4, 1879. AS comp
troller he gained great popularity
throughout the state, and the highest
respect of business and financial men
generally, because of the efficiency
and celebrity with which he carried on
the work Of his department. So bril-
liant, indeed. were this mans services
as comptroller that "A hattering offer
was made TO him 10 go back into the
banking business, which he had left
! to become state officer.
"The comptroller went to Daniel
Manning and told him of tho offe~.
Manning. AZ that time. WIS secretary
of the Democratic State Committee.
and then, and later. a great power in
the Democratic party. The two men
! had been close friends for years. and
both lived in the same town-Albany.
Fred, said Manning. when he had
heard his friend out, for many years
events have shown that the office you
now hold has been the stepping stone
for good many men to high political
preferment in state and nation One
of your predecessors became President
Willard Fillmore was comptroller
when he was nominated for Vice
President. Lucius Robinson, now gov
ernor. WAS comptroller. Ira Daven-
port was nominated for governor by
the Republicans because Of his record
as comptroller Governor Tilden told
young Democrat. ambitious to adj
vance politically. 70 make his first
mark I'm the public service IN tho
comptroller's office.
Fred. you have p splendid record
as comptroller. You have gained wide
popularity and especially the good
will and esteem of the business ele-
ment of the state. Your father was a
member Of the Albany Regency, which
largely controlled Democratic poll
tics I'm state and nation for so many
years. You have been raised and
stepped in the Democracy Of Van
Buren, and Of Tildon. You are not
unaware of the present intention of
your friends-m myself among them
to put YOU forward as the ideal Demo
cratic nominee for governor in 1882.
In my opinion, Il you remain i'm poll
tics. YOU will receive that nomination
and will stand very good chance Of
( being elected. And II you should make
as splendid a record as governor as
! you have as comptroller. the eyes OF
the nation will be upon you. and nc
man can say what will then follow
in your political fortunes.
About this time" continued Mr.
Lamont there was abundant evi-
dence that the Republican party IN
the state was to undergo most serious
factional disturbances during the next
few years. The sores made by several
old rows had not yet healed: there
Was an element in the party that was
planning to bring about the nomina.
ton of Grant for President the fol
lowing year. and there was an ele
\ ment equally determined to prevent
that nomination. The comptroller
shrewd political observer that he was
must have realized that Dan Man.
ming was not talking without a full
weighing of the situation: he mus
have realized the political possibilities
that lay before him, especially as b,
was fully aware Of the plan Of Man.
ming and others to work for his nomi
nation as governor in 1882 Yet tn,
comptroller reasoned i'm this way
Politics, while fascinating, Is uncer
tain. No one can tell how long per
sonal or party popularity will last
On the other hand, IS a banker ther'
are, TO be sure, great responsibilities
hut very great and honorable oppor
tunities. AS a banker I should b.
free from the annoyances. vexationl
and uncertainties of q political ca
reer. and surely be able to gain
comfortable competence for myself
and my family as long as I live.
will turn my back upon politics.
THAT is Just what he did-and Vol
know the rest. Frederic P. Olcott. fou
years after leaving the comptroller
office, reached the presidency OF
trust company and made that III
greatest institution of its kind in IN
country. Dan Manning, as Chairman
Of the Democratic State Committe,
( helped greatly to bring about the cleo
ton of Grover Cleveland as governo
in 1882. and the -ery same year tina
Mr.. Olcott became a trust compan,
president. the political astuteness o.
| his old friend. Dan Manning. dit