Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-01-06

JOSEPH W. BAILEY.
Democratic Leader in the House of Rep
reSentativeS-)
were hesitant about hunting nomina-
tions, because they feared the POSSIBLE
tiles and proba bilities of defeat. The
real cunning politician always wants
"the other fellow" nominated in off
years.
But. in spite of this fact, it is grow
ing more and more apparent that the
young men of this republic are forging
to the front. Men advanced or advanc-
ing in years are not always phiIoso-
piers and do not delve into the mys-
teries of causes and effects. Conse-
quently they have not noticed that the
telegraph. the telephone. the phono-
graph. the typesetting machines and all
other inventions of the past generation
have facilitated education. The ambi-
tious young man of to-day can secure
an education at the age of 21 which
would have been difficult for Webster,
Calhoun or Lincoln to have secured ten
years later in life. Therefore the young
men of to-day can rush into the home
stretch of the race of life before they
are suspected of having attained in
teilectual requirements of an eXtraor-
binary nature.
These young men of to-day, in like
manner, when natures brush tinges
their hair with white. may wonder how
it happens that young men are chasing
them over the home plate; because the
inventions of the next generation viii
work similar revolutions aud give the
young men yet unborn opportunities
more extraordinary than the preco-
cious boys of this age have enjoyed
Hon. w. w. Kitchen. of the Fifth
North Carolina district. is the youngest
member of the house. being only 80
years of age. He has been for some
years past an active campaigner for the
democrats in his state. and they last
year gave him the nomination to con-
gress. He represented North Carolina
at Washington on independence day,
and his speech made on that occasion
was one that electrified his audience,
and Mr.. Sibley said of him that he wes
the coming orator" His father rep
resented North Carolina in congress,
and he himself stands an excellent
chance to be some years member
from that state. He has attractive man
ners, is modest, but impresses people
: at once with being a man of ability and
courage. He is attentive to his duties
and has useful and brilliant career
before him.
The youngest man in the Illinois del
egation is Thomas NJ. Jett, of Hills
boro, who is only "a. His tall figure,
coal-black hair and strong. smooth
shaver face give him distinct indiv;d-
uality. Mr.. Jett is prominently a self
made man. Until 20 years ago he
worked on farm, attending school in
the winter, and finally saved up enough
money TO attend the Indiana normal
school for two years. After this he
taught school. studying law when his
days duties were over. and was admit
ted to practice in 1877. Two years later
he was elected states attorney. and be-
fore his eight years of service in that
office were completed the people
thought so highly of him az to select
him as their representative il congress.
that Mr.. Jett will justify the wisdom
of his electors.
The youngest man in the house to
have attained high judicial honors be-
fore coming to congress Is Judge James
NJ. Briggs. who represents the Second
Georgia district. When barely 80 years
VI hC was oplSOiu' GU OS TIC gCF-
ernor Of his state. judge of one of the
circuits. and he was twice elected TO
that Office by the legislature. On the
bench. Judge Briggs record was ex-
cePtionalfy satisfactory. and there was
considerable surprise when ne resigned
to run for congress. He had been one
of the original silver democrats of
Georgia. and in the democratic ma
tional convention OF 1892 he voted for
q straight. unequivocal declaration on
the money question. and his candidacy
for congress was in response to the
wishes of the silver democrats OF his
district.
Judge Briggs has. since he came to
congress, proved to be one of the most.
popular of the new men on his side of
the house. AS wit and story teller
he easily takes the front rank. and his
good humored counteaance is an in
dex of his genial and kindly nature. He
Is now 80 years of age.