People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1896 — Rich Retired politicians. [ARTICLE]

Rich Retired politicians.

What becomes of the retired politicians? An immense number of men may be discovered in the land, by the careful observer, who some years ago enjoyed political office and some measure of distinction. Suddenly they receded from view, never more to be heard of. These men were taken up by the two old parties, exploited a little while and now lead private lives. It will invariably be found that these men are comfortably off, having assured incomes and have an easy time of it. The explanation of the phenomenon is that these men were tools. They were put in office for the sake of certain dirty work necessary to be done. Their tasks finished, their owners had no more use for them. Therefore, they were allowed to after snugly lining their own nests. Of all the men thus befieflted, not a memorial of their usefulness to the people remains. The country was looked upon as a great field for plunder and treated accordingly. We are so big a nation, so wealthy and so careless, that we endured this sort of thing a long time. Now we are beginning to investigate such phenomena more carefully. There is a good deal of It left to investigate.—Twentieth Century.