The Washington herald., 1914-07-23
HISTORY BUILDERS.
The Congressman Who Would Not Be
an Errand Boy.
nT DR. IS. u. EDKAHO

One OF the members ~ the House Of
Representatives nj Washington In the
early part Of the administration Of Pres
ident Arthur was Ambrose A. Ranney.
who Represented one Of the Boston dis
itricts, and who was conspicuous on ac-
count OF certain striking physical charac-
teristics. Mr. Ranney was about six feet
In height, slender and yet Of perfect pro-
portions. Slight as he was. II seemed to
those VINO saw him frequently as though
he surely possessed muscles Of iron. He
was also a man OF singularIy perfect
mental equipose. His judgments were
quick. his mind was alert. and yet there
was an intellectual power disclosed In
everything he said.
l Mr. Ranney's counsel was frequently
sought by his oolleagueE. especially when
questions which involved the interpreta-
ton OF law were likely to arise during
discussions upon the floor OF the House.
| He brought 20 Washington q hne repu-
tntion as q lawyer. He was reported to
be an exceedingly good counselor, one
whom judges sometimes consulted when
they were In doubt about decisfOAs. He
had very large and remuneratiye prae-
tice.
Sometimes Boston friends Of Mr.. RAN
ney who were asked to give some infor-
nation respecting him and the profess
sional as well as the social standing
which he enjoyed at home were told that
one of his distinctions arose from the
fact that he owned a large house which
was his home and which. although Il was
surrounded by lawns and even Wildwood
ed grounds, was situated not more than
q mile from Boston city hall
1t was also said OF him that he was q
man of great frmness and Independence
OF character and that II was thought TO
be q little peculiar that he should have
been selected TO represent a Boston dis
trict In Congress.
One day was chatting with Mr.. Ran
ney's colleague. Gen. Patrick A. Collins.
who represented one OF the Boston dis
tricts OF that time. and who was after
ward consul general at London, and.
later. mayor OF Boston. when happened
to mention Ranney's name.
Gen. Collins smiled In his character
istIc. kindly and considerate way, ex-
planning to me that he did so because he
had been told an incident which had re-
Gently happened which illustrated Mr..
Ranney's relations TO his constituents.
There was a good deal OF complaint
in Ranney's district because he seemed
to pay little attention TO the requests
which came to him from his constituents,
At least little attention to requests for
his aid in securing patronage" said Gen.
Collins.
They said that he would not go to the
departments In the interests OF his con-
stituents, and they thought that a man
was elected to Congress chiefly for the
purpose OF looking after the interests OF
his constituents.
so several OF Ranneys constituents
went to him and made complaints. In
reply he said to them: You know what
I was IN Boston. You knew ! was not
the kind of man to run errands for any
body. When you nominated me for
Congress l told you that you would
have to take me as was. You did take
me as I was and as ! am. You can't eX-
pect me to change; cannot be an errand
boy for anybody
with that answer they had to be
satisfied, but ! think the real reason
which lay behind Ranney's frankness Is
the fact that he is utterly indifferent TO
public service OF this kind, and l am
certain that he does not care whether
he comes back TO Washington or not"
Copyright. 1915 by DR. 2. J. Edwards. An rights
reserved
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell How
a Forceful Speaker Quieted a House
Pilot