Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/320

 manner, possessed of some scientific attainments, had some years before written a book upon the birds of Pennsylvania which was published by the state. The newspapers, utterly indifferent as to whether it was good or bad, assailed him unmercifully and he became known as “Birdie Warren.” They had so cowed him that he was abject before them. Several times I endeavored to argue him into more courage, telling him it made no difference what they said, that their opinion was of no value, that the book was most meritorious, and it was entirely proper that the state should publish it, and the proof of its merit was that a copy could not be bought on the market for less than seven dollars, as I well knew, but all in vain. He felt that their power to harm a man in public life was unlimited. When, therefore, toward the end of my administration these forces blew a storm against me, he had no faith in my ability to withstand it; he thought the safer place was under their wings, and he proved unsteadfast. I would have removed him had it not been for the fact that he had really tried to make a good record in the work of his office.

Thomas J. Lynch, whom I filched from one of the departments for my own service as executive clerk, was a source of great comfort. Intelligent and loyal, he was one of those hunters who always come back with the game in their bags. When sent upon a task all necessary efforts were made, the facts were always ascertained, and the principles governing them unraveled.

Stewart deserves more than passing mention. He was born in Ireland and had his home in Norristown. He was a most persuasive and winning orator, having a rich voice, and no man knew better how to blend humor and pathos in order to produce results. In this respect it was nip and tuck between him and Henry Houck, later Secretary of Internal Affairs. Houck had the disposition of a Celt with the name and intonations of the Pennsylvania Dutch, and in his speeches, with his anecdotes, his tears, his native wit and his 304