Evening journal., 1910-08-20
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Secret Ambition Of a
Creator Of States
BY HHOIIand."

The secret ambitions of our public
men--what are they?
William NJ. Springer, who died in
1903, was member of the National
House Of Representatives from Illinois
for twenty years. He was a veteran
member of the important Ways and
Means Committee and for a time its
chairman. He was the author of the
Springer bill organizing the territory
or Oklahoma, the author of the bill
admitting Washington and Montana
and North and South Dakota into the
Union. He was, in fact. a creator of
States. He was a political mower in
Congress for many years. a national
leader of his party. And after he left
Congress in 1895 he was for a number
OF years chief pustice of the H. s.
Court OF Appeals for Indian Territory.
One day I'm the eighties, met Mr..
Springer in the corridor of the Cant
tol, and after we had exchanged a few
formal words of courtesy, he asked II
It would be convenient for me IL he
were TO call at my Office some evening
as he he had matter which he was
very anxious to discuss with me. II
feel q little dlfldent about the subject
| wish to talk over with you" he went
on. In fact. have been so shy re-
garding II that for some time | have
delayed approaching you" And
could see plainly that this man who
was courageous almost to the point of
audacity when politics concerned him.
really felt the shyness that he spoke
Of
A day or two later MIR. Springer en-
tered my office. and, taking a seat,
placed on the desk a small package,
neatly wrapped, for a second Letting a
hand linger on 1t. as though in fond
ness. He hesitated a moment. and
then plunged into his subject much
after the fashion Of one making a con-
fession.
i am perfectly content to fulfill my
responsibilities as a representative in
Congress-" he began. II am not like
great many members of Congress-
| do not nourish secretly any literary
aspirations for myself / am sure you
would be surprised were to tell Won
how many congressman do this thing.
But there is a member of my family
one who is very dear to me-who has
yielded to a strong impulse to attempt
literary work. That work has now
been completed Il is there in that
little bundle. 1t is a work of fiction. {"
For moment Mr.. Springer hesitat-
ed, and then, in a voice as shy as any
child's, he went on:
What / want to ask you is, what is
the best method OF approaching the
publishers with view towards secur-
ing the publication of the book? The
member of my family will tell YOU
1t is Mrs Springer-her heart is so
bound up IN the book that l myself
have come to share that feeling.
also. And | think I am safe In telling
you that there is no political place
which l could reasonably hope to at
tain that would give me the personal
qualification the publication of this
story would bring, particularly should
II prove to be a success with the pub
lie. There Is little of lasting fame for
q politician; almost the only fame that
/ Is permanent in the United States Is
\ that which arises from literary sue
cess / would be more than glad If {
member Of my family-if Mrs. Spring
er-cOuld attain such fame. Can yol
help me In any way?"
sMOdestly, almost stammeringly, ant
in a low tone of voice, this conspicuoui
member OF Congress revealed to m'
the secret desire of his heart In turn
/ gave him such counsel as was pos
sible-- not very much-yet he thanked
me gratefully, took the manuscript
and went away. But though later thu
book was published, the secret ambi
biuon of Mr.. Springer that a member
of his family should gain literary re
nown was never gratified
| Copyright 1910, by h. J. Edwards. AL
rights reserved)