Evening journal., 1914-07-23
New News Of Yesterday
The Congressman Who
Would Not Be an En-
rand Boy
Ry Holland.
Ry HoIIana.

One Of the members of the House
OF Representatives at Washington in
the early part of the administration
OF President Arthur was Ambrose A.
Ranney, who represented one of the
Boston districts, and who was con-
spicuous on account of certain strik-
ing physical characteristics Mr.
Ranney was about six feet in height
slender and yet of perfect proper
tions. Slight as he was, it seemed
to those who saw him frequently as
though he surely possessed muscles
OF iron. He was also a man of
singularly perfect mental equipose
His judgments were quick, his mind
Was alert, and yet there was an intel
lectual power disclosed in everything
he said.
MIR. Ranney's counsel was fre-
quently sought by his colleagues, es-
pecially when questions which in
viewed the Interpretation Of law were
likely to arise during discussions
upon the floor of the House.
He brought to Washington a fine
reputation as lawyer. He was re-
ported 70 be an exceedingly good
counselor, one whom judges some
times consulted when they we're in
doubt about decisions He had a
very large and remuneratiye prac-
tice.
Sometimes Boston friends OF Mr.
Ranney who were asked to give some
information respecting him and the
professional as we'll as the social
standing which he enjoyed at home
nj 20 a
arose from the fact that he owned
a large house which was his home
and which, although it was surround
ed by lawns and even well-wooded
grounds. was situated not more than
mile from Boston city hall.
II was also said of him that he
was man of great firmness and in
dependence of character and that it
was thought to be little peculiar
that he should have been selected to
represent a Boston district in Con-
gress
One day ! was chatting with Mr..
Ranney's colleague, Gen Patrick A.
Collins, who represented one of the
Boston districts of that time, and who
was afterward consul general at Lon
don, and, later, mayor of Boston.
when | happened to mention Ran
ney's name
Gen. Collins smiled in his char
acteristic. kindly and considerate
way, explaining TO me that he did
so because he had been told an incl
dent which had recently happened
which illustrated Mr. Ranney's rela-
tions TO his constituents.
There was good deal OF com
plant 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 i'll securing
patronage" said Gen. Collins.
They said that he would not 20 to
me departments in the interests or
ms constituents, and tlwy thought
mat a man was elected To Congress
chiefly for the purpose Of looking af-
tel the interests Of his constituents.
so several Of Ranney's consti-
tuents went to him and made com
pants In reply he said TO them:
You know what ] was in Boston
You know ] was not the kind Of man
% run errands for anybody. When
you elected me for Congress / told
you you would have to take me as /
was You did take me as I was and
as ! am. You can't expect me to
change I cannot be an orrand bov
Tor anybody
With that answer they had to be
satlsned, but ! think the real reason
Which lay behind Ranney's frank
ness IS the fact that he is utterly
ihdiiferent TO public service of this
hlu' and | am certain that he does
not , care whether he comes back 10
Washington or not"
copyright. 1914. by e, J.. Edwards.
All rights reserved.
-, omorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell
House Riot" :"