Imperial Valley press., 1917-02-06
THEODORE ELIJAH BURTON.

THEODORE ELIJAH BURTON
The higher finance has again drawn upon politics.
and politics will be the loser There others who might
better be spared from partisan activity than former Unit
ed States Senator Theodore Elijah Burton of Ohio but
it is doubtful if any Of them would be we'll qualified as
he for the office which he has been called upon fill
namely the presidency of the third Oldest and leading
national bank of New York City, one of the founders
of which Alexander Hamilton. Mr. Burton was an
able lawyer, and financial student, before and after
his entrance into public life His service in the national
House of Representatives and in the Senate has enabled
him to develop the knowledge of monetary affairs and of
economics which he had already acquired.
AS chief of the Merchants National Bank, Mr.. Bur-
ton will perhaps afford less sentimental interest for his
countrymen than if he to continue in the popular
view exceptional political possibility. The best the
country has to offer in political prefement has not in
recent years. been thought too good for him. But even
behind the in great financial institution many
will continue to think of him they thought of him. say
in the spring and early of last year, when the
turn hand have made him the standard bearer
of the Republican party
Mr.. Burton, Of education culture and natural
ability became member of the lower house of Congress
in 1896 and continued represent one of the Cleveland
districts in that body until 1909 President Roosevelt
made him chairman Of the waterways commission I'M
1907 Upon the retirement Of Joseph B. Foraker it was
Theodore Roosevelt's friend, Theodore Elijah Burton,
who succeeded Mr. Foraker in the United States Senate
While serving as chairman of the waterways COM
mission Mr.. Burton had splendid opportunity of in
quirng into the abuses to be found in the waterway i'm
provement legislation and Incidentally into the pork
barre system applied to the rivers and harbors ap
preparation and he proted and determined thta the pub
lie should profit by this opportunity AS result of the
knowledge he obtained while on the commission and in
further investigation he able to make the strongest
fight carried in the Senate up to his tme the
rivers and harbors appropriation bill. His opposition
resulted for the moment at least in driving back the par
tcipants in and the defenders of pork appropriations
To the surprise of many who say him headed through
the courageous he had taken in this respect
ward the White House. he declined to be candidate for
reelection thus leaving the way to fame open for another
distinguished Ohioan Warren G. Harding.
Mr. Burton visit South America since his retire
ment from the Senate has served keep him before the
public 1t should be said for him. too that while he suf
fered disadvantage by of his retirement
think premature from political work. his state has not
forgotten his services Under the primary law last Feb
ruary three declarations of candidates at large to the
Republican national convention filed at Columbus
The names attached were those Of Warren G. Harding
United States senator Frank B. Willis governor and Viii
liam Cooper Proctor, Cincinnati manufacturers and
each named Theodore Elijah Burton his first choice for
the Republican presidential nomination in June Thus
Mr.. Burton became recognized candidate. Why ne was
not nominated is story that has been told.
There are ways than one of giving impress
sion which is not strictly warranted by the facsa meth
cd of dalectc progression which Shakespeare summed
up in much abrupt fashion. Thus, a certain pa
per- desiring apparently to make out that the United
Kingdom wished to force war, INDUCED itself II
large headlines to the effect that "Lord Grey Wanted
War Earlies, Admits Kato." Now Viscount Kato wa
Japanese ambassador in London for several years.
Of