Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-06
THE VOICE OF
THE PEOPLE
An Anecdote Which Explains
Difference Between Statesmen
and Politicians-Another
Universal Service Plea
STATESMEN VS.. POLITICIANS
To the Editor of the Evening Ledger:

To the Editor of the EUening Ledger.
Sir-The Senate of the United States
was called to meet in special session i'm
mediately after the close of the regular ses-
sion of March 4, 1867. by the President, for
the purpose of considering executive ap-
pointments, and among the new Senators
who responded to that call was General
Simon Cameron. of Pennsylvania, who sue
ceeded Hon. Edgar f. Cowan, elected six
years before.
AT that time my name was before the
Senate for confirmation. or rejection, for
the office of Assessor of Internal Revenue
for the First District of Pennsylvania, and,
desirous of the support of Senator Cameron
l visited Washington for the purpose Of
explaining to him why I should be con-
firmed. Calling upon General Cameron at
the Willard Hotel he and l soon started to
walk to the Capitol, and in crossing
Fourteenth street we met Senator Alex
ander e. Cattell, and the New Jersey Sem
ator pleasantly greeted the distinguished
Pennsylvanian with Good morning, States
man."
Quickly Senator Cameron responded: :
Good morning. Cattell; call me anything
but statesman, as 1t Is a distinction have
never sought and never shall. Call me
politician and l would be proud of the
honor. Senator Cattell appeared some-
what surprised, and thus replied: "It was
my intention to compliment you inasmuch
as you have secured the Senates approval
or three important treaties with three for
eign governments within the short period
or fifteen days, that Senator Sumner as
chairman of the Committee on Foreign At
fairs. wrested with for fifteen months with
out reaching a result. But please tell me
the difference between a statesman and a
politician, you understand it," and this
was Senator Camerons statement:
"A politician is a man who has some in
nuence-a statesman is a person wholly
and absolutely without any influence what
ever"
Senator Cattell asked General Cameron II
ne would more definitely illustrate the DIFF
ference, and this was the prompt reply:
There is my friend Bill McMuliin. Of
Philadelphia he is ward politician and
carries the Fourth Ward in his vest pocket
Nobody could take that ward from the
Squire. '"e
And my other Democratic friend. Sam
fahuail, mas such a grip on the First Con-
gressional District of Pennsylvania that no
one ever thinks of making a contest against
him for Congressman from that district
And my friend Bill Mann is so strongly
intrenched as the Republican leader of
Philadelphia that he can nominate any one
for any office in that city from a county
Judge 10 ward constable-these men are
among those have In my mind as poIi-
ticians-fellows of commanding influence"
And there Is one other" said Senator
Cattell, whom you have not mentioned, He
like Squire McMullin, as ts the Fourth
Ward, carries the State of Pennsylvania in
his vest pocket and II doesn't make a bulge
| In it-and his name is Simon Cameron"
And General Cameron modestly respond.
| ed. sometimes / can help deserving
! friend In Pennsylvania"
Senator Cattell then asked Senator Cam.
| eron II he would please enlighten him as ID
| statesmen-men without any influence
/ Wlat9V9r--and
with humorous expression:
"Cattell, l can think of two only jus,
now-Charles sumner. of Massachusetts,
and my son-in-law, Wayne MacVeagh, OF
| Pennsylvania"
And 1t was my belief that Senator Cat.
| tell who, with the railroad interests of New
Jersey back Of him. was a politician of ths
most modest demeanor. considering the in
| fiuencs he exerted in New Jersey and a,
| washington, heartily confirmed Genera
| Camerons definition and Limitation of {
| statesman. JOHN w. FRAZIER.
| Philadelphia, April Q.