The Washington times., 1901-12-08
YOUNGEST MEMBER
OF THE HOUSE.
Mr., FEELEY OF CHICAGO THE MAN
just Passed TWcnty-sixth birthday
and Not ns Old ns Bryan or
Clay When They En-
tered Congress.

In the front row in the House of Repre-
sentauyes close over to the old "Chero-
kee strip" sits member who is the
youngest man ever elected to Congress.
Four years younger than Bryan was when
elected. more than year younger than
| Henry Clay was wher he was sworn in
as a member from kentucky, he has but
| just passed his twenty-sixth birthday.
This youthful member is John ]. Feeley, of
Chicago. who represents the Second dis
triet of Illinois. Further than this he
has the distinction OF having defeated the
Hon. Billy Lorimer. who rejoices in the
fact that he is the party boss OF the
| Western metropolis and recognized
leader in the political affairs Of the Prai-
rie State.
Mr.. Feeley is an example OF what
young man can do in American politics If
possessed OF the requisite qualities of
energy and determination. He is am
! bilious and admits it, yet he has the art
| of discretion. His career, brief though it
has been. and the manner in which he
won his election. are interesting. A few
years ago he worked in a provision and
meat store in Joliet. He determined to
go to college. and worked his way
through Niagara University and Yale law
schca,.
Started Out to Carve Fortune.
Fresh from the classroom. he started
out to carve his fortune. He decided upon
political career and to get to Congress
as soon as possible He looked around
for a favorable location and selected Chi
cago. That was but four years ago. He
was practically unknown even to his
nearest neighbors. He opened law Of
flee and made friends faster than clients
He let his political ambitions be known.
Two years ago he was too young to run
for Congress. as the Constitution pre-
scribed that man must have attained
the age of twenty-five years before he can
sit in the House of Representatives.. He /
managed the campaign for the Democratic |
candidate and gained a valued experience
in the arts OF political warfare tut his !
candidate lost. \ year ago last faIl he /
manipulated the wires SO successfully that /
he carried off the nomination for Con- |
gress. He was then but few days past |
twenty-five years of age. The old wise
acres looked on and chuckled. ~ young
and unsophisticated lawyer, put up only
to be knocked down by the great and pow
erful Billy Lorimer,' they said.
Managed His own Campaign.
Mr.. Fceley took affairs in his own hands
and shouldered all responsibility. The
most sanguine thought he would be de-
feated. He conducted most skillful and
vigorous campaign he surrounded him
self with young and energetic men; many
Of them college men. He sought the ad-
vice of the old politicians and schooled his
workers in all the political arts Of winning
votes. He made himself personally known
to every voter in his district. He went
into the stock yard districts and came into
personal contact with the men there
Election day came and his workers and
were at the polls resolved to see
hat Mr.. Feeley had fair count. He had
won the day. When the returns came in
hey showed that he had 2200 more votes
han his rival. Chicago awoke the next
and discovered the biggest politi-
al surprise it had experienced in many
iears. The ''uncOnquerable" Lorimcr. as
lie had been regarded. had fallen. and a
mere youth of twenty-five summers was
he victor.
This remarkable achievement has not |
aused Mr.. Feeley to wear larger head
ear. He is n modest man. unassuming |
nd afiable in manner. He has ALREADY |
made himself popular with his colleagues.
lie has resolved not 10 make himself |
ver-conspicuous, but to forge his way
o the front carefully and surely
His Career Mapped out.
Mr.. Feeiey has decided opinions and the
bility to express them. He has mapped
ut a career His eyes is glued to tile
iture. and no skilled statesman ever
cnt about the work of achieving politi-
Al success with more care and vigor /
lan has this young lllinoisan. He has d
tanned with deliberation and acted with b
For the present Mr.. Fte.'y
IS decided to look closely after the af-
Iirs of his constituents and await an op-
1rtunity to achive a national reputation y
the halls of Congress. That time he is Z,
ire, will come. "
The ladies' in the gallery have already p
GIFTED him. and pointed him out as one W
the handsOmest men in the House. He
Of medium build. has a heavy mus il
che and black wavy hair, dresses fault fl
ssly, but not gludily. He is q man whom | b,
e statemen in both houses will watch al
it'll interest. Il