The Red Cloud chief., 1902-10-31

Hon. Frank N. Pout. attorney gen.
eral OF Nebraska. and the republican
candidate for that ofiice. at the coming
election. is a native of New Jersey.
lie was born Mt Newark May 81. 1859.
and moved with his parents To- Toulon.
ILL.,, In 1855. His early education was
gained In the common schools of that
city, and he began the study OF law In
the Office OF Hon. ". w. Wright. cotr-
ty Judge OF Stark county. In Janu-
airy. 1875. he was admitted to the bar
OF the state OF Illinois by the supreme
court of that state. and entered al
once pom the practice OF his profess
sion In stark county. In the year 1891.
Mr.. Prout removed to Gage county.
Nebraska. locating at Blue Springs,
where he became q member of tho
we'll known law firm of Burke 4 Prout.
He continued In practice at that point
until 1889. when he took up his resi-
dence in Beatrice. He was married in
May. 1880. ut Bromheld. III. During
the years OF his residence In Beatrice
Mr.. Prout has sought only the honors
to he gained In the practice OF his pro-
f~ession. to which he has applied him
self with zeal and the determination to
succeed. Aside from the Office Of city
attorney. In which he rendered most
valuable services to the city. he held
no public Office until In 1898 he was
nominated and elected to represent
Gage county In the state senate. Ow-
Ing to his high legal attainments and
fine equipment IA a legislator, Mr..
Pro,H took high rank In that body. and
by his vigorous course and sensible
attitude on public questions attracted
general attention. rs a man well quail
fed to All high public station.
Az n logical sequence to his splendid
record In the state senate. Mr.. Prout
was nominated by the republican state
convention in 1900 a. its candidate for
attorney general. and in the fall OF
that year was triumphantly elected
over his fusion adversary.
Attorney General Prout Is a forclble
and convincing public speaker. and his
logic and %cloquence have made him a
favorite with republican audiences
throughout the state. While not an
Uf'cc-seeker, he has for many years
assisted In UNFOLDING republican prin-
ciples on the stump and Is an ardent
Campaigner.
Attorney General Prout is modest
| and unassuming. and has not followed
tne DTbtIlte VI ulS IuSlDn DTtuttPSSOT
in footing his own horn, but will leave
a ecori for competency and efficiency
| that has never been equalled by any
| OF his predecessors.
His duties as attorney general have
required him to deliver more than two
hundred legal opinions. In discharg-
ing these duties he has advised the
heads of the executive departments OF
| tv,a statn n,np,ittanu Of tha IiHarnnt
houses OF legislature. and nearly all OF
the county attorneys Of the state.
The epidemic of smallpox necessi-
tated additional legislation giving
greater powers to boards OF health.
This power was granted by the last
legislature. and Mr.. Prout was called
upon to interpret the statutes and to
define the duties and powers Of boards
OF health. His opinions on this sub
ject alone would make a textbook or
public health and safety. He has also
construed the reform-school law. the
new game law and many other statutes.
His legal opinions will soon be pub
lished by the state. and will make a
large volume of invaluable instruction
on the duties and powers OF executive
officers.
All work relating to his Office has
been reduced to a perfect system. II Ii
a reproach to the state that Attorney
General Prout had to label. endorse,
number and rearrange all the files be-
fore he was able to find any particular
PAPER.
The suits In which the state IL n
party have been managed with equal
ability and care.
During his incumbency he has tried
on an average three lawsuits n month
in the supreme court, and has had
pitted against him the best legal talent
in the state. Ont OF sixty cases de-
cided by the supreme court he has won
forty-five. Some of the most important
causes submitted to the supreme court
on behalf Of the state are still unde
termined. In addition to all this work,
he Is a member of eight different state
boards which have required and re-
ceived from him a great amount Of
time and labor.
Mr.. Prout's modesty has prevented
the publication of much interesting
matter concerning his efforts In behalf
OF the public, but the facts just men,
toned are public records of which Mr..
Prout has reason TO be proud. Unjust
criticism OF his official conduct Is due
wholly to the depravity and Ignorance
OF the fusion press
ANOTHER GENIUS.