The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-10-12

miration the difficulties he encounter
ed and overcame; his struggles with
adversely for light and education and
final triumphant admission to the bar
OF his adopted county, under the guild
ance and tutorship of it's eminent lead
ers; his elevation to honorable and re-
sponsible office in the community, and
the record of his faithful and fearless
discharge of his official duties. and
finally we have this shipping clerk for
lumber firm of his adopted city,
now become an eminent lawyer nomi-
mated without seeking for the high
and honorable position of superior
court judge, position Of great honor
and dignity. In the prime and fresh
ness of young manhood, he is unani-
nously presented to the people by a
great party for one of the highest and
most honorable offices in the state.
ITO the thousands of young men in
state and nation who are struggling,
as he struggled for fame, often almost
in despair, his career and achieve
ments will stand at once as a bright
and inspiring example and incentive
to devoted and courageous effort and
continued industry. The keynote of
his success is probably contained in the
following extract from his speech be-
fore the convention which nominated
him on assuming his duties as presid-
ing officer. but which was uttered at a
time when he could have had no
thought whatever of such an event.
He said: This is government of the
people, by the people, for the people
All men are equal here. The law Sc
cures equal justice to all alike in their
private affairs.
TO EMINENCE IN HIS ADOPTED
CITY.
"The claim of excellence is also rec
ognized. and when a citizen is in any
way distinguished he is preferred in
the public service, not as a matter of
privilege, as in our older institutions,
but as a reward of merit. Poverty is
not a bar. and it matters not whether
one is a rail splitter, as was the i'm
mortal Lincoln, or mule driver on the
canal; all have equal opportunities.
Charles ]. Reilly was born in the
Twentieth ward of Philadelphia, Sept.
23. 1856. and is the eldest in a family
of II children, eight of whom are now
living. He received his education in
private tuition. In his 18th year he
removed to Williamsport, Pa, to take
charge of the shipping department of
the works Of j. Bartles & Co. Subse-
quently he attended the Williamsport
college, from which insti-
tuition he graduated in 1875.
HE was then engaged to keep books
for the said firm. While thus employ
~f CD, I,y;,N
but after about a years ap- |
plication to the science he changed his |
mind and determined to study law. In |
May, 1882, he passed his preliminary |
and was registered as a |
law student with the law firm of Can |
dor & Munson, with whom he remained |
six months, when the necessities Of |
his family required him to earn means |
for their support. He became book
keeper for George Bubb & Sons, of the |
city of his adoption. and while filling |
this position he devoted every spare |
moment to his legal studies. Having |
saved sufficient to permit him to re-
sign his position, he entered the law |
office Of Hon. John ]. Metzger, now |
president judge of the Twenty-ninth
judicial district, where he completed |
1lS StuuleS june =, 1904, anu WAS du-
nitted to practice in the several courts |
Of Lycoming county.
He was also member of Chatau-
lua college &C. L. S. CO., class of 80,
having studied the four years course.
A MAJORITY THAT MEANT SOME
THING.
"He has since his admission been
admitted to practice in the circuit and
district courts of the United States
md supreme and superior courts of
"In 1855 he was elected chairman of
he Democratic county committee of
4ycoming county, and demonstrating
lis ability as an organizer he was
reelected to the same position in
SS6, also in 1887 and 1888, and, there
ore, served four years
"In November. 1854 he was elected
district attorney by the largest major
ty ever received in the county for
my county Office up to that time. In
he discharge of his duties in that Of
Ice he showed an unflinshing deter
in the cause of justice and