Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1912-03-07
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
When William c. Whitney Would
Not Trust Anybody.
In Making His Generous Contributions
to Political Campaign Funds He
Never Took Chances, Even
With His Friends.
BY z. j. EDWARDS.

The late William c. whitney, sOoro-
tary OF the navy during ClsVsland's
nrst term az president, and before
and after that period In his career one
OF the leading Democratic politicians
p OF the nation. was one Of the most
generous distributors OF campaign
funds the country has ever known,
and he WAS as successful in collect
Ing funds for campaign purposes a.
any man Of his generation In either
party, with the possible exception OF
Governor Marshall Jewell Of Connect
cut, who was chairman OF the Rspub-
hcan national committee during the
presidential campaign OF 1850. Yet, de-
spite his lavishness OF distribution.
Mr.. Whitney knew what be was about
every time he distributed campaign
funds. He was not one Of those who
disbursed campaign subscriptions Law
ishly and then was Indifferent as to
the uses to which they were put. He
knew Of the temptation to which some
politicians yielded OF keeping for per
sonal purposes part Of the campaign
funds that passed through their hands
an easy thing to do In the old days,
when no detailed record of disburse-
mentE was made.
Mr.. Whitney was a firm believer In
the expedtency campaign contributions
by large corporations that might have
favors to ask Of the politicians or OF
the legislature. He warmly approved
OF the method pursued by the late Hen
ry o. Havemeyer. president OF the so
called sugar trust, who testified be-
fore a congressional committee at
Washington in 1914, whom the trust
was on the Goals Of publicity, that his
company was accustomed to sea apart
a lump sum when political campaigns
were pending. and then. dividing It in
to two equal parts, give one-half to
the Republican mad one half to the
Democratic party. simply for the
purpose OF obtaining protection"
When Mr.. Whitney was the brains Of
the old Metropolitan traction system
OF New York, Democrat as he was, he
nevertheless recognized with perfect
fmpartiality each Of the political par
ties. The Democratic party received
pecisely the same contribution IN the
name OF that company which the Re
publican party received, and in each
case the contribution was made with
the implied understanding that the
company would be protected" against
adverse legislation and against the ap-
proach OF political blackmailers.
The late Senator Thomas c. Plat
used to tell his friends with much
chuckling an incident which came I'M
der his own observation, illustrating
both the generosity and the sublety of
Mr.. Whitney with respect to campaign
contributions.
Il received information one day
that Mr.. Whitney would be glad to
see me at a certain office and at q
certain hour" said Mr.. Plat. 81 did
not doubt what the purpose Of the
summons was, for a campaign was IN
der way. So went to the office nam
ed at the hour appointed. Mr.. Whit
nsy received me cordially and then
he asked: But where IL Chauncey?
l sent for him
'Chauncey who?' / started TO ask
In reply. when suddenly It flashed over
me that Mr.. Whitney had also sent
for Chauncsy NJ. Depew, and did not
propose to go on with the business he
had with me until Dspew was pres
ent. 30 once more a message was
sent to Depew that Mr.. Whitney want
ed to see him. and when he had ar
rived in the presence OF both OF US Mr..
Whitney made in behalf OF his traction
company campaign contribution to
the Republican party. And he said to
US very frankly, as he handed out the
money, that he was treating both phr.
ties exactly alike-that the Republic
ana were getting no moro and no less
t. an the Democrats were.
But note how shrewd he was: ht
was SO shrewd and careful that he
didn't purpose to pay over the contri
button to Just one member Of the party
another member had to be present
also when the contribution was made
He didn't distrust me any more thar
he did Chauncey; he trusted US both
but. nevertheless, he wasn't going t.
pay over that money until we botl
were present and could verbally &C
knowledge receipt OF the sum. Ant
SO far as / know, he was always tina
way; he never took any chances evsl
with men whom he trusted He wa
the shrewdest, as well as the mos
generous dispenser OF campaign fund
of any man l ever met"
| Copyright. 1911. by Z. j. Edwards. Al
Rights Reserved.)