The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-09-27

to have a meeting of the voters of three
counties to close the campaign. It was
to be one OF the most important eYents
OF the contest. The committee sent
young Beveridge. At that time the
executive of Illinois was Governor Bev-
eridge. The people of Bloomington
thought it was he who was to address
them, and they 80 advertised on sheets
of circus size. The morning came.
The committee, representing the great
ness and dignity of the town and head
ed by "Uncle Billy" Browning, went
proudly to the station. The train ar
rived and from it emerged slender,
white-faced youth. He carried big
valise. Not a soul spoke to him. He
approached the first man, who happen,
ed to be Uncle Billy Browning, and
asked for the best Republican hotel.
Uncle Billy told him and inquired if
he had seen Governor Beyeridge on
the train. just then the youth looked
across the road and saw the posters an
nouncing the speaker for the great mass
meeting. a case of stage fright was
tho result and he would have jumped
on the train again had it not already
moved off. Then he faced the ordeal.
"My name is Beveridge," he said,
land I was sent by the State Commit
tee to make the speech down here to-
night."
"You" asked Browning, not be-
lieving his own eyes; and the other
statesmen echoed the inquiry, "You1"
The situation was too strong for
words. They all formed in line and
marched uptown, nobody saying any
thing and the whole line looking like
a funeral procession. Finally, the
young man got to room in the hotel
and spent two hours in miserable un-
certainty, but so long as he was there
be was determined to see it out. He
went to the meeting, which was large
one, but there Was no interest in 1t for
him. Browning absolutely refused to
introduce him, but some kind soul
took pity on the youthful stranger and
got him before the crowd.
Browning declares it was the great
est speech ever made, and eince that
day there has never been a Republican
campaign in that city during which
Mr.. Beveridge has net been the chief
orator.
Numerous stories are told In Indian
apolis of Mr.. Beverldge's struggles to
become lawyer. He tried very hard
to get in the Office of Benjamin Har-
rison, but did not succeed. Finally,
be secured foothold with another
firm. Those first weeks were full of
hardship. Literally he lived on one
meal day for more than month,
and it was not until the end of three
months that he received any paw.
Twenty dollars month was his first
salary.
During the campaign he gave his
services to his party. The legislature
was to meet and there was COD test
for the position of reading clerk.
Young Beveridge was desperately IN
need of money to live on. A certain
editor was to become cnief clerk and
he would have the appointing OF this
reading clerk. He did not like Bever-
idge and said that he would not ap-
point him 1t elected. Two others were
after the position and each expected to
get it. Nobody thought for moment
that Beveridge was in the race.
He drew ups paper aud went per-
sonally to every member of the Legis-
lature whom he had helped to elect,
and secured the signatures of a major
ity. This paper was simply notice
to the prospective chief clerk that II be
would not pledge himself to appoint
Albert J. Beverldge reading clerk they
would vote against his election. The
was that the editor quick |
ly reconsidered his decision and young
was made reading clerk.
And, to quote one who was in the
Legislature at that time, "Beveridge
read to beat the band all through the
session."
A member Of that Legislature was
Charles Major, the author of when
Knlghthood Was in Flower" Although
a leading Democrat, while Beveridge
was Republican worker, they became
very friendly
MR.. BEvER1DGE's GENIUS FOR ORGANIz-
With natural aptitude for public
life, it is not surprising that the young
lawyer should have extended his pow
or and ambition. Those who know MIR.
Beveridge best say that though he is
an able orator his real forte is organ,.-
alton. In one of the recent camraigns