Evening journal., 1913-09-29
NEW NENS OF YESTERDAY
A Clever Man BeGQared by
Politics
BY Holland.


The late Charles a. Russell gained
conspicuous success while serving a. a
member of Congress from the eastern
Connecticut mstrict. without amy po-
litical manipulation or any special ur-
gency on his part, he was gradually pro-
NOTED in successive congresses to which
he was elected until at last he became
member Of the committee ON ways and
means, having been appointed 10 tnpt
place by Speaker Cannon ! have un
derstood that it ~ almost personal
appointment on the part of the speaker
in the sense that he had constantly and
carefully watched the young man and
had been impressed 10y his ability and
by his conscientious devotion to com.
mittee work and his other duties as
congressman.
Mr. Russell died in the second year OF
his service as member of the WAYS
and means committee, and it was the
general opinion Of his colleagues that
his untimely death had cut short q ca
reer in larger arena, for he probably
would have become United States Sena-
tor. in ease the party continued to be
successful in Connecticut
With Mr.. Russell many years ago
had a delightful and Intimate
friendship. / first met him while he
was still a student at Yale College.
He was a handsome young man. OF
strong physique. medium height, with
n complexion as fair as that of a
child His smile was a fascination.
He confded to me that II was with
difficulty that he was getting through
college, for he had but limited means.
He asked me. therefore, if l couldn't
find for him some newspaper em-
ployment. | was fortunate enough to
secure for him newspaper work and
he showed such facility as news
Eatherer and such accuracy and
charm as a writer that his stipend
was speedily increased, and imme-
dlately after he was graduated he
was able to secure remunerative
newspaper work upon leading
paper published at Worcester, Mass
Some years later Russell was nomi-
mated by his party for secretary of
state and elected There had been
an interval of six or seven years be-
tween his election and the time when
] had met him. ran across him
accidentally soon after his election
and asked him how it happened that
he whom | last knew as a newspaper
man in Worcester had become secre-
tary Of state in Connecticut.
1T was a happy chance" he replied.
"My father-in-law, who was an in
fuential Republican in Connecticut. is
also a manufacturer of that State. He
persuaded me to quit the newspaper
desk and go into business with him.
He thought / would make q good sec
retary of state and he secured my
nomination l viii confess to you |
don't know whether that was a wise
step or not ! think | would do
better I'm the long run to stick to
business and let politics go. But If
] am going into politics / am going in
TO make a mark
Some years later Mr.. russell was
elected to Congress and reelected
several times, at last gaining the dis
tinction of an appointment as mem-
ber of the ways and means commit
tee
A personal friend Of Mr. Russell's
said to me after his death; Charlie
Russell gained great success IN poll
tics. but it was at an awful sacrifice.
DO you know that immediately after
his death it was discovered that he
was practically impoverished and his
friends quietly took up a subscription
to meet the expenses of his last ill-
ness and those Of his funeral? He
had ability, which, had he stuck TO
business instead Of being tempted
away into politics, would have
brought him as great success in the
business world. relatively speaking
as he gained while a member OF Con.
gress that would have made him inde-
pendent in fortune
Copyright 1913. by p. J. Edwards
All rights reservcd.)
Tomorrow MT Edwards will tell ol
-. n.