The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-04-29
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Thomas c. Platt's Recipe for Political
Success.
Written Expressly for The Herald.
BY DIR. r.. J. EDWARDS.


Written Expressly for The Herald.
BY DIR. r.. J. EDWARDS
In the summer Of 1883 spent an aft
ernoon with Thomas Collier Platt in his
Office In New York City. He was at that
time busily occupied apparently and ex-
clusively with the affairs Of the express
company of which he was president. He
had the unique reputation Of having serv-
ed a shorter time In the United States
Senate than any other Senator. He tooS
his seat on March 4. 1851, and resigned
six weeks later. His resignation and
that of his colleague. Roscoe Conkling,
refit cted a serious fractional quarrel, and
II was for a time one of the truly sen
satioral incidents Of American politics.
Although Plat had been a Senator for
only six weeks. he was addressed by al
OF his friends by his Senatorial title. In
the world Of politics at that time II was
believed that Senator Plat had volun-
tarily and needIessly committed political
suicide and II was looked upon as a
wonderful thing that a man who had
secured a seat in the United States Sen
ate should Immediately resign II to re-
, turn TO private life. l ventured TO ask
Senator Platt II he had thrust political
ambition aside permanently.
He. did not answer me directly, but ne
took my hand and held 1t for moment
as though to intimate to me that should
repeat the question. He then said:
Have you ever thought Of taking any
active part in politics? / won't wait foI
your answer. but ] will give you SONS
advice that may be worth while.
Unless a man possesses very great In
teIlectual gifts or certain personal quar-
tics which attract great masses OF men
10 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 cour-
ageOus. do not mean that he should
be reckless and pay no heed to his )udG-
nent But il his Judgment persua1es
him that something he thinks OF doinc
is wise then let him attempt to do ana
continue to do IL even though the
heavens fall. Courage is a quality which
the American public like'
Mkt. he must cultivate the fine art oil
gentIeness. He must not be imperious.
He must not ride rough shod over every
body. don't mean that he must be
subservient or constantly indulge in what
Is called playing to the galleries. but he
must lot his Gentleness shine through his
courage
I'm the next place. he must learn to
he patient. Many men have failed In
politics because tnfN nave IlON hllON u iAON
10 be patient. Let patience have its per
! feet work in politics. II these three
qualifications arc combined. then any
young man Of fair intelligence can sue
| coed in politics. He may not succeed
greatly. but he may succeed according 10
the measures Of MS abilities. | ought to
| add one other qualification. and that is
! that there must be no suspicion that a
man Is without integrity 50 far as money
transactions are concerned Poverty docs
not stand in the way of political sue
c, S. but dishonesty in money matters
sooner or later will do that.
YOU asked me a moment ago if
contemplated rC-enterinE politics. Think
over what / have just said and then
make W your mind. II you can, about
my Intentions
Five years later senator Plat was the
| uuTusstionci head Of his party or-auiza-
| ton in New York State and at the first
opportunity that arose t"O or three years
! later he was reelected to the United
States Senate.
tCopyrighi 1915 hy Dr. F. ]. EdWaris Al rights
TessrTed-I
Tomorrow DIR. Edwards will tell How
the late George Westinghouse Found
| Natural Gas"