The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-20
INDIAN as SENATOR.
How Young DIR. Beveridge Beat Old and
Experienced Opponents.
New York Post.

There was an earnest contest for the
nomination In the Republican caucus,
which would settle the question. The
best X nown candidate was Judge Taylor,
who Ia described by an independent OBJ
server as veteran In politics ana in the
law, a man OF exalted character. and of
profound abilities, familiar with public
of being "A senatorial quantity" Three
bther men of prominence were rivals Of
Judge Taylor. One was veteran Con-
gresham and politician; the second had
served in the State Senate, and In Con-
gress, winning many political friends;
while the third had held various offices,
and notably more than one In the execu-
tive administration of party affairs
which in these days often counts for more
than distinction in the public service.
Against such opponents the prize was
won by 'youngster, whom most peo-
pie supposed to have no chance against
the veterans Albert J. Beveridge re-
oeived on the first ballot In the caucus
next to the smallest number OF votes, but
by the tenth he had risen TO a majority.
| The story Of such success ns this should
be interesting. and IL Is.
The career of Mr.. BeverldRe is another
| illuatration of what we used to consider
| the typical embodiment Of the possibili
ties open TO ambitious youth in this coun-
| try. Born into she family of a poor Ohio
| farmer, he had to go to work In boyh God
| and In his early teens was laborer on a
railroad, driver of a team, and hauler of
logs. by saving his earnings, he man
aged to get through high school, where
he showed himself fine scholar. He
| louged to go to college. and concluded
to start with $50 which a friend advanced.
At Depauw University he paid his way
LARGELY by running students boarding
house and by taking prizes, and earned
| more money by working in vacations.
He made good record In his studies,
and disting uishsd himself as speaker.
| legiate contest In 1895, the year of his
graduation. But the strain upon his ep-
ergies had been too severe, and when the
reaction came. he broke down and had to
| go upon a cattle ranch to recover his
health. Upon his return he settled in
Indianapolis, and began the practice Of
| law as soon as he was able. He soon
demonstrated his ability in his profess
sion, while he became a great favorite as
a speaker particularly ON the stump.
Mr.. Bcveridge aspired to the Senator
ship. IL seemed hopeless ambition. lie
is only thirty six years old. He had new
er held public office. He lives In Indian
apolis, and as the other Senator ia also u
resident Of that city, the locality" argu-
ment appeared to rule him out. He had
no money, and no powerful professional
| associations, for he has never had law
partner He represented no great norpor-
ate interests. and he had no political ma
chine behind him. But he had many
| warm friends and devoted admirers, VINO
believed that he would make IA good Sem
ator. and resolved 10 see II they could not
get the Office for him. The struggle was
| warm and close. but the newcomer In
politics won, and won on his merits, al
| though he lacked the advantages that
have usually surrounded candidate, and
that did surround every other candidate
| in this contest, and, besides, eneoun tered
pronounced opposition in his own home.
| Mr.. beveridge is accused of being "a
spread-eagle orator." and there Is no
doubt that he has tendency to 'hifalu-
TIM" But nobody can read such an ad-
dress as that on 1.-THE Vitality of the
| American Constitution, which he de-
| (Pa. Rar Association year ago, with
out realizing that he is also a man Of
genuine ability, who should outgrow his
youthful faults of exuberant oratory and
develop with greater age higher stand
| ards OF style His character is beyond
criticism, his desire to render good SER
vice to the public seems deep and strong.
and altogether the promise of his en-
| trance upon n national career is great
| 1t is sign OF hope which Indiana thus
| raises before the country, and 10 will be
heartily welcomed. IL is most encourage
ing that an independent journal like the
| indianapolis News finds warrant for this
| apparently well-justitied summary OF
what Mr. Beveridge's election means.
"Ihe senatorial contest just CLOSED is
| an almost ideal testimonial TO the COM
monwealth OF Indiana. We have RICH t
| to consider Indiana's choice of Mr. Bav-
| erldge as testimony to all ths world that
here in this commonwealth the primitive
idea of the choice of public officers has
prevailed; that with the increase OF
riches and of population, and with the
| increased mplexity OF modern life, the
strain of warning interests has not been
able with US 10 warp the ideal conception
of the execution of the peoples will. In
diana stands as the exponent of the high
est and fairest deal of politics. Politics
here Is not mere question OF manlpula-
| the centre of the country is common
wealth where young man without per-
sonal connections, without public oiiice.
without political machinery, without
| money, can come from private life, can
| esp0use principles, can challenge con-
sideration. and in u contest long drawn
ont and fought over inch of the field can
win triumphsntJ. Gzs