“Creative statesman in a democracy; big-hearted American.”  On December 7, 1915, upon receiving a copy of the diploma Lane wrote in acknowledgement to Dr. Wheeler,—­“I have the diploma which it has taken all the talent of the office to translate.  I had one man from Columbia, another from the University of Virginia, one from Nebraska, and one at large at work on it.  Thank you.  It takes the place of honor over my mantel.”

TO WILLIAM P. LAWLOR

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIA

Washington, April 13, 1915

My dear judge,—­I have read Eddy O’Day’s poem with great delight.  Along toward the end it carries a sentiment that our dear old friend John Boyle O’Reilly expressed in his poem Bohemia, in which he speaks of those,

“Who deal out a charity, scrimped and iced, In the name of a cautious, statistical Christ.”

I have never been able to write a line of verse myself, although I have tried once in a while, but long ago my incapacity was proved.  Pegasus always bucks me off.

I am sorry you took so seriously what I had to say of the wedding invitation, but you know I am one of those very sentimental chaps, who loves his friends with a great devotion, and when anything good comes to them I want to know of it first, and no better fortune can come to any man than to marry a devoted, high-minded woman.

Your rise has been a joy to me, because neither you nor I came to the bar nor to our positions by conventional methods.  The union spirit is very strong among lawyers, and if a man has ideas outside of law, or wishes to humanize the law, he is regarded with suspicion by his fellows at the bar.  You have proved yourself and arrived against great odds.  No man that I know has ever had such a testimonial of public confidence as you received in the last election.  I hope that with the hard work much joy will come to you.

Mrs. Lane has just dropped in and wishes me to send you her warm regards.  Always sincerely yours,

FRANKLIN K. LANE

TO WILLIAM G. MCADOO

SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

Washington, April 27, 1915

My dear Mac,—­Here is a man for us to get next to.  He is a Harriman, a Morgan, a Huntington, a Hill, a Bismarck, a Kuhn Loeb, and a damn Yankee all rolled into one!  Can you beat it?  His daughter also looks like a peach.  I do not know the purpose of this financial congress in which these geniuses from the hot belt are to gather; but unless I am mistaken you are looking around for some convenient retreat to go to when this Riggs litigation is over and you are turned out scalpless upon a cruel world.  Here is your chance!  Tie up with Pearson.  He has banks, railroads, cows, horses, mules, land, girls, alfalfa, clubs, and is connected with every distinguished family in North and South America.