The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-06-02
GOV. CLAUDE MATTHEws.
A Brief Sketch ofIndiana's Favorite
Son--He VIII be Urged for the Pres
idential Nomination.

" ~ hSoN
idential Nomination.
p, j. Moran in Atlanta Constitution.
Born in Kentucky fifty years ago,
Governor Matthew's was educated at
Center college, In that State, and is q
graduate of that institutions. Shortly
after his graduation he removed to
Indiana and married the daughter and
only child OF Ex-Governor and ex-
United States Senator James Whit
comb, one OF the ablest and best of
lndiana's early statesmen. Immediately
upon his marriage Governor Matthews
settled upon q farm in Vermillion
county, aud has from that hour to this
been, in every sense of the word, a
practical farmer. He became largely
interested in live stock, more especially
short-horn and Jersey cattle, and was
the moving spirit in the very sue
cessfully organizations which have
grown up in the past few years in the
United States and Canada for the i'm
provement of cattle.
He Is natural leader of mel, and
1t was, therefore, natural that when
the Democratic party of the county Of
Vermtllion and surrounding counties,
in 1876, seeing the necessity for nomi-
mating a strong man for the legisla-
ture to owe "me a large Republican
majority, CT unanimously young
Farmer Matt ews, who went into the
race, as he does everything else, with
will and ensrgy. Overcoming the
lage Republican majority of 200, he
was elected by a majority of 25O. In
1890 the Democrats OF the State, desir-
ing the strongest and most effective
man to head the State ticket as a
candidate for Secretary of State, sought
Farmer Claude Matthews and, prac-
tically without any effort on his part,
nominated him for that high office.
So well did he satisfy the require
ments of the trying position Of q can
didate at the head of the ticket, and
later the requirements of the respon-
sible Office of Secretary Of State, that,
when two years had rolled around and
q governor was to be elected the demo
cratic party of the State again turned
its eye on Secretary OF State Matthews
and demanded that, instead OF being
only personal ambition he at that time
had, he should accept the nomination
for governor. This he did and carried
the State by the largest majority ever
given to q candidate for governor.
In this enlarged field of usefulness
he met squarely every obligation thai
was put upon him. He is in no sense
of the word q trimmer. He believes
that the best service any public Of
fetal can do his party is to honestly
fearlessly and iptelligently discharge
the duties of the position to which the
votes Of his countrymen have elevated
him.
Governor Matthews Is a man of broad
views. He could not be called a one
idea man, from any possible stand,
point. In the administration of the
public atfaiB with which he has beer
entrusted he has shown at all times
the broadcast liberality consistent with
the public good, and the higest type
OF moral courage. 1t has neysr DC.
Cured to him, and never would occur
TO MIN. tRat there was anything for q
| pu0lic official to do but his whole duty
under all circumstances.
Governor Matthews has many quail.
ties which especially fit him for a pre-
%sidential candidate, as we'll as for the
presidency. He is essentially a mar
Of the people, His Democracy. is OF
The Harp-aad-woaf Of his Character
His knowledge of men comes from his
close contact with g 1t may be
truly said of him that from his very
earliest boyhood he has touched elbows
with the world. His are
digpiaed and engaging, He believes
in the fullest possible discussion OF all
questions affecting his party and his
country, and Is ready al all times to
give the fullest audience to questions
concerning party and public welfare,
whether the views expressed agree
with his own or not.
He Is q clean man in every relation
Of life. He would make a President oil
whom the whole country might well
be proud. Indiana will present him
with enthusiasm and push his candidacy
with earnestness, believing that she
will thereby be doing the whole coun
try o signal service.