Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-20
TELLS YOUNG
men TO
KEEP OUT
POLITICS POOR PROFESSION
Better Make Pile Before Co.
ing Into 1t

political office and expect to win. The
game offers many inducements, but
the big men Of today have to be
drafted from private life"
Thus spoke Thomas Taggart, Ma
tional Committeeman from Indiana,
last night, as he sat quietly in the lob
by of the Belvedere Hotel and told of
The Chance of a Young Man in Amer
lean Public Life"
Il think the opportunity presented
today" he began, for young man.
possessing the courage of his cOnvic-
tons, honesty and ability, to make his
mark in the service of the people has
never been surpassed. 1t is, in reality,
the young mans day.
And yet l would never advise a
young man to enter the arena of pol
who asked me to let him follow in
my footsteps when he had finished his
college education, but l urged him to
take charge of my hotel at the French
Lick Springs rather than adopt the
| cocrse for which he yearned ara
kiad to say that he did what | advis-
ed
Politics has never brought me any
money. | was drawn into it by force
of circumstances and the interest has
been so strong that | have never been
able to forsake it. But l have adher-
ed jealousy to my hotel business and
it is to that that | owe my income
rot to politics"
what are the peaple to do, Mr..
Taggart, if trey would have strong
men serve them in high Officer" he
was asked.
IF a candidate for Governor IS
needed" he replied. he must be draft
I'd from the business world or some
ether position in private life. | say
this to apply to every position of trust
in the public service.
In short, in order to be a good pub
! lie servant man must first show that
be has made a success of making
living in other ways The person who
'tarts out to gain certain political
honor does not stand much Of chance
to succeed if he heas no creditable
performance to which he can point
THE biggest men in public life to-
| day are those who We're drafted
had no idea of becoming a politician
until | was named by my friends as ,
candidate for auditor of my county
many years ago | carried the election
and then served three terms as Mayor
Of Indianapolis. l remained actively in
politics because l liked it, but | am
! not aspiring for further emoluments
with all the drawbacks which eX-
list, such as the ingratitude of the pub
| lie, the fickleness of the voters, the
| tearlessly may gain rapid advance
ment The fact that a man has been
4lected to a minor office generally
means that he will want to go higher
and higher up the ladder.
1t is this ambition to rise in the pub
lie eye which often prevents a young
man from attaining success. He strips
Himself of certain ideals with which
re began, simply because he wants to
please the popular fancy and not be-
cause he thinks what he advocates is
right. The examples of a speaker who
avs something to win applause which
afterwards reacts against him are too
frekuent to warrant the mention of
particular cases.
ut is undoubtedly true that educa-
ton increases an officeholder's chanc-
es for advancement He who is able
to talk intelligently upon grave econ
omic questions, who is versed in the
political hosiery of this and other
countries, and masters every subject
he elects to study, will be certain If
recognition in the legislative halls of
every state. His word will carry
weight with his fellows and his name
will be remembered when the states
are fixed for the next election
And yet, with all the opportunity
for honor and glory which it presents,
would advise any young man to stick
to his job if he has one, and his for
tune would be more easily assured.
America will continue to be ruled bv
men who are drawn into political life
unexpectedly and if they do we'll it is
right that they should shine more
brightly as the years go by"
Mr.. Taggart was chairman of the
National Committee fhen Alton B. Par
ker was the nominee for President in
1904 His influence in Indiana politics
is far reaching and it is said to be due
largely to his kindness of heart-for
the moor who know him are rarely al