The Washington herald., 1914-11-20
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Generous Political Opponent.
twnltsn ESrressly for TIE Herah.J
Nv DIR, T., J.. EDWARDS.


The late James G. Patterson. OF Hart
| ford. Conn, who died In 1891, was often
I spoken Of by men of important affairs
as a citizen Of the United States rather
/ than as a citizen of Hartford. He was
! so prominently identified with the con-
struction OF many Of the public works
| and buildings of his time that his name
! was as familiar almost TO the citizens
! Of large communities in the United States
as to those OF his homo town Of Hart
| ford. Besides, he was for years the chief
executive OF an insurance corporation
whose business covered the United States.
Notwithstanding mis- many activities
and the time which he devoted TO scholar
ship. Mr.. Patterson in the early part
| Of his career took a strong interest in
politics. For that reason. he became
the executive head Of the Republican
party organization in Connecticut for two
or three years before the beginning Of the
civil war
Mr.. Patterson did not permit his
political views to interfere with his per-
sonal relations. lie was one Of the warm
est OF the friends of Thomas H. Sey-
mour. who, in his day was the leading
Democrat In the State Of Connecticut.
He had been gov. rnoT Of Connecticut and
had served as minister to Russia His
personal charm was so ConViI CirG that
In the campaign OF 1871. II was deemed
essential that Connecticut-whoSe State
election occurred at that time-Shou!d
give a Republican majority for William
A. Buckingham. who was the paTty's
candidate for governor. The democracy,
In order TO make capital Of the great
personal popularity of Thomas II. Sey-
mour. nominated him for governor. The
contest was a despcrat" one and the
Republican party organization was under
the direction of Mr.. PATTERSON. He was
triumphant by the small majority OF
54l.
An Incident occurred during the cam
paign which illustrated the character of
Mr. Patterson. The charge was made
that, Republican chief as he was, he
had nevertheless loaned money 10
Thomas II. Seymour, Democratic Candi-
date for governor. and held Mr.. Sey-
mours $ note for the amount.
The fact was that a year earlier. when
travelling in Europe. Mr.. Patterson met
Mr.. Seymour and found that the great
Democrat was in considerable embarraSs-
ment. Seymour was not n provident man
IN respect to money. He was both
thought!ess and generous He told Mr..
Patterson that he had exhausted his l"t-
ter OF credit. and was a good deal put out
and Inconvenience because OF his i'm
providence. Thereupon. Mr.. Patterson
offered to share his purse with Mr.. Sey
mour. The offer was accepted and Mr..
Seymour insisted upon giving Mr.. Bat
terson an I. O. L. in acknowledgment.
That was all there was 10 the report
that the Republican campaign manager
had lent money to the Democratic Candi-
date.
As soon as Mr.. Patterson heard that
this campaign story was ahOat, he went
to those who were in authority in the
Democratic campaign and said: Tom
Seymour owes me nothing. ! have no
note of his. There is Now none in exist
ence." Then he took from his pocket
book Mr.. Seymour's /. o. L. and tore it
up in the presence of the campaign man
ager. saying: III Seymour himself wants
TO tell the story, he can do II; I won't"
Mr.. Seymour instantly gave out for
publication the real facts upon which the
campaign charge was based.
Copyright. 1914. by T. J. Edwards. All rights r.
seryed.)
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell OF An |
Excess OF judicial Dignity"