Evening journal., 1911-01-10
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Philosophy That Made a
Senator Eccentric
BY a'HOlIand"

The story of the romantic beginning
Of the unique and sensational career
Of Senator Horace A. W. Tabor. Of
Colorado is one Of the most fascinat-
ing Of the romances Of American min
ing development II was a laminaT
story some thirty years ago, but the
later excitement and romances Of sud
den wealth following the discovery of
gold or silver have caused II TO be
somewhat obscured. Tabor was
rough and ready sort of fellow who
kept a grocery store and sort OF tav-
ern in the vicinity OF what is now
Leadville, Colorado. The prospectors
esteemed him not only as a friend, but
as a benefactor. He never permitted
any man to go away hungry. He al
ways entertained a miner or pros
pector, whether he saw the color OF
a mans money or not. He was con-
fdent that every man would pay his
score when he had money; and If he
didn't, it would be because he couldn't,
and in that event the score was for
given.
Upon the occasion prospector
asked Tabor to grubstake him. The re-
quest was instantly granted A short
rich deposits OF silver and Tabor be-
came a man OF Millions. He built an
opera house in Denver, plunged into
many activities, and at last had politi-
cal aspirations, becoming lieutenant
governor of his state. Then there came
vacancy from Colorado in the United
States Senate. There was an interim
of only a month between the date
when the vacancy began and the time
when the legislature would meet and
elect a new senator. Tabor aud his
mining friends prevailed with the gov
ernor, so that It was announced that
~the man who had changed his position
over night from q grocery-store keep
er TO g capitalist Of many millions.
was to serve Tor iouT weeks in the
United States Senate.
Before senator laOor reached Wash
ington to take his seat there were
published wonderful tales purporting
10 describe the outfit OF clothing and OF
underwear which he had provided for
himself in his descent upon the cap
ital. There were vivid descriptions OF
an array Of nightshirts O. r1e f0eat
linen decorated with real lace fril!s
at the Guns and at the necn. I4-esc
tales naturally added to the interest In
the romantic Senator.
But there was nothing in Tabor's ap-
pearance when he first took his seat to
Justify the belief that he had become
OF a sudden an exquisite dandy. He
was modest and unassuming and ap-
parently content to sit, even though
for no longer period than four weeks.
as e member Of the Senate. He paid
no heed to the reports which purported
to describe his extraordinary under
wear and after his term in the Sen
ate had expired, he returned 20 Colo
rado as quietly as he had reached
Washington.
was chatting with the sole repre-
sentative from Colorado in the lower
House OF Congress, James B. Beltord.
shortly after Tabor's term in the Sem
ate had expired, and asked about the
reports that had told OF the alleged
| personal eccentricities OF Tabor.
We'll" replied Judge Beford,
said to Tabor one day, Tabor, what Is
all this stuff that has been printed
about you and real lace nigntsnirtsl
Where did It start2 Is It true: -.
" Jim he said in reply. I won't
! say whether II Is true or not, and you
don't need to ask me that; but I will
started the story myself You see. my
friends are all among the miners and
the prospectore. If ] worked the led
shirt and overall business in politics
with them. they would all see right
through it. They are no fools. Tney are
ell of them the kind of men who
count on diamonds, ine raiment amp
linen. and everything that's splendid
If they make money. and SO / said TO
myself that if they heard I was not
playing the cheap political game, but
| instead was willing to let the world
know that ] had money and
spending some Of It on myself, they
would all say. That's the boy for me ="
The overall and unlaundered sAirt
business has been worked to deetN IN
politics. I don't think the last night
shirt has hurt me a bit with the boys
That was Tabor philosophy con-
! eluded Judge Belford, 'and ] Wouldn
wonder If he was right in It.
(copvrisht, 1910, by E. ]. Edwards. All
rights reserved.)