The Topeka state journal., 1900-07-07
BRYAN'S MATE.
Something About Adlai E Steven
sons Career.
[By Walter Williams ]

rBy Walter Williams
Mr.. Adlai E. Stevenson was born in
Kentucky IN 1896 He was a farmers
boy. His father. a stauneh Presbyter-
ian of Cgvsnanter stock, named him
Adlai taking the name from the Bible
word. meaning Just" Both Bryan and
Stevenson are PFesbyteTians
Stevenson got through school by hard
knocks He studied hard and worked
hard TO secure the money TO pay for a
course Of study. He got his genuine
Anericanisn from ancestry and early
environment and training. One of his
fOrefa therS. a relative of the Jefferson
City Ewings, wrote the first Declaration
OF Independence, that issued by the
sturdy farmers Of Mecklenburg county,
North Carolina, in 1775. 1t is an apprO-
PIRATE coincidence that he should stand
now upon a platform which IS the latest
Declaration of Independence. Stevenson
attended Centre college, that great Ken
tucky institution from which the Crit
tendens. Vest, McCreary, Breckinridge.
and score of other great Americans
graduated Later he moved to Illinois
and in Bloomington practiced law Here
ne was chosen congressman two terms
IN a Republican district From here he
went TO " Washington in 1855 as first as
sistant postmaster general and in 1892
became the Democratic nominee for vice
president on the ticket with Grover
Cleveland.
He did not approve Of Mr.. Cleveland's
financial policy and broke with the ad-
Ininistration upon this subject. He sup
/
never Wayered in his allegiance TO the
Democratic faith Since mis- retirement
from Office he has practieed law in
Bloomington.
Mr.. Stevenson looks like a statesman
of the old school He is six. feet tyS-,
inches in height. broad sh0uldered and
straight as an arrow. Though 65 years
OF age he is vigorous as a man of 30
years His personal habits are 7exem-
plary. He does not swear. He does
not gamble He smokes a mild cigar
occasionally. He tells a story we'll and
like Lincoln, points his speeches with
apt Illustrations. He is one of the most
democratic OF men, In Washington he
was accessible to all callers and his
term of service as vice president was
marked with unostentatiOn and sim
plicity.
Mr.. Stevenson-General Stevenson. as
many people cali hin-Inarried a daugh-
ter of DR.. Green. president Of Centre
college Three Of the four children born
to the marriage are living The father
IS OF domestic tastes-the home is pre-
Ierred by him 70 any other place.
Two years ago in St. Louis I talked
with General Stevenson upon the uolitf-
cai situation He has always been un-
tainted n politics and speaks with
frankness upon all questions. He is
conservative Before the Chicago con
vention he was talked Of for president
He said two years ago that he believed
Bryan would be the next president No
man. he declared had so large a hoIf;
upon the affections OF the people ST.
Venson resembles Bryan in this respect
as in others There is honesty in his
grayish blue eyes and his blonde Wen
steFian head is stamped with rugged in
Kegrity- His good. firm Jaw denotes
resolution, and he shakes hands like he
meant II W Aherever he is known he is
respected, h0nOred. loved The bIa.a
blood which courses in his veins. for he
traces MS lineage through d dfstin-
s1isned line Of ancestors. has not taken
MIN from sympathy with the common
people He Is as plain as an old shoe
Air- stevenson Is good talIzer In the
campaign OF 1892 ne contributed many
good speeches and helped toward Dem
ocratic success.
The headsman's ak. which he welded
as assistant postmaster general. en-
ueared him to many Democrats who
believed in remembering the br9vs in
the trenches He filled every posfafF1ce
with Democrat C1evefand's famous
phrase. Offensive partisan y-ae fi7+st
spoken Of A1Iai E Stevenson. Vet bs
never appointed unfit met to office AMI
observed civil service regulations to tha
nlinutest letter He had the highest
esteem of political foes as we'll az r,-
litical friends.
Even in Illinois no one can be found
to say aught derogatory to the ahiIi+v
or personal character Of the great Dem
oerat- When he served as vice pr-eSf-
dent, an officer whose duties are in the
main presiding over the United states
senate, he handled the delicate and DIP
fcult matters Of this place with such
prudence ability and impartiality as
to win general communication. Senator
Allison. now the leader Of the Repub-
Ican majority in the senate. once said
of him that he knew no more vigorous
party man and no more impartial
chairman.
General Stevenson won distinction as a
lawyer He served one term as district
attorney, but prefers to defend rather
than prosecute He Is especially high
authority upon real estate law and has
been q distinguished advocate before 5ur-
les His personal winsomeness has been
widely commented upon. The men like