Evening journal., 1914-04-29
New News Of Yesterday
Thomas c. Platt's Recipe
for Political Success
By Holland.

IN the summer Of 1883 spent an
afternoon with Thomas Collier Platt
in his Office in New York city. He
Vas at that time busily occupied
apparently and exclusively with the
Affairs of the express company of
which he was president He had the
unique reputation of having served a
shorter time in the United. States
Senate than any other Senator. He
took his seat on March 4, 1881. and
resigned six weeks later. His resic-
nation and that Of his colleague, Ros-
coe Conkling reelected a serious fac
tional quarrel, and it was for time
one OF the truly sensational incidents
of American politics.
Although Platt had been "A Senator
Tor only six weeks, he was addressed
by all of his friends by his Senatorial
title. In the world of politics at
that time ii was believed that Senator
Plat had voluntarily and needlessly
committed political suicide, and
It was looked upon as a wonder
tul thing that a man who had secured
seat in the United States Senate
should Immediately resign IL TO re-
turn 70 private life. ventured to
ask Senator Platt If he had thrust
political ambition aside permanently.
he did not answer me directly, but
he took my hand and held it for
moment as though TO intimate to me
that / should repeat the question.
He then said:
'Have you ever Thought or taking
any active part in politics? I won't
wait for your answer. but 1 will give
you some advice that may be worth
while.
Unless man possesses very great
intellectual gifts or certain personal
qualities which attract great masses
Of men TO him, for instance like those
which characterize James G.. Blaine
there is only one way to succeed in
politics.
First Of all, he must always be
courageous. ] do not mean that he
should be reckless and pay no heed
to his judgment But If his Judgment
persuades him that something he
thinks OF doing is wise then let him
attempt to do It and continue to do it
even though the heavens fall Cour-
age is a quality which the American
public likes
Next, he must cultivate the fine
art Of gentleness. He must not be
imperious. He must not ride rough
shod over every body 1 don't mean
that he must be subservient or con-
stantly indulge in what Is called
playing to the galleries. but he must
let his gentleness shine through his
courage
In the next place, he must learn
TO be patient Many men have failed
I'm politics because they have not
known how to be patient Let pa
tience have its perfect work I'm poll
tics. If these three qualifications are
combined, then any young man of
fair intelligence can succeed i'm poll
tics. He may not succeed greatly.
but he may succeed according to the
measures OF his abilities. I ought TO
add one other qualification, and that
is that there must be no suspicion
that a man is without integrity so far
as money transactions are concerned.
Poverty does not stand I'm the way OF
political success, but dishonesty in
rioney matters sooner or later will
do that
"You asked me a moment ago IL I
contemplated re-entering politics.
Think over what ! have Just said and
then make up your mind, If you can,
about my intentions"
Five years later Senator Plat was
the unquestioned head OF his party
organization in New York State and
at the first opportunity that arose
two or three years later he was re-
elected to the United States Senate.
Copyright, 1914, by r. ]. Edwards
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
How the late George Westinghouse
Found Natural Gas"