Timothy Woodruff

An Anecdote Which Illustrates His Gift at Repartee.

Few men of prominence in public affairs can compare with Lieutenant Governor Timothy L. Woodruff in many sidedness. In his young manhood he was an athletic light at Yale and foremost in students' pranks and frolics. When his college days were over, he went into commercial and manufacturing life and by a rare combination of energy, industry and good luck made himself a millionaire. During this period it is said that he never violated his rule to live frugally and to devote himself to business until his income was $50,000 a year.

When he reached this point, he entered political life and applied himself to it as engrossingly as he had to manufacturing and, it may be added, as successfully. He rose rapidly from the ranks until he became one of the leaders of the state and in 1896 was selected as the running mate of Governor Frank S. Black and in 1898 of Theodore Roosevelt. He has a very pleasing personality and looks far more like a Yorkshire squire than a typical American. He is fastidious in dress to such an extent as to provoke the satire of political opponents, who have dubbed him "Tim o' the Wescots" and "Necktie Timothy." He is a fluent speaker and writer and is quick at repartee. Once when in debating with a wealthy politician the latter said: 
"Wealth gives you no advantage. I'm as rich as you are."

"Yes." replied Mr. Woodruff, "but you made your fortune out of politics, and that's where I'm spending mine."-Saturday Evening Post.