Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-11-06


- 80 gress, the influence
S<fmhWrUn -. of the great uni
ST.: s.; !: ): &: +: !: !: =: !: &:
y" 'col eg Q educa-
tion," but few of these attended any
thing but "fresh-water" colleges, which
ought to be classed, probably, with the
excellent high schools from Maine to Cal
ifornia. The proportion of university
bred men in the Fifty-eighth Congress
will not be more than leaven. Some
people say the universities are exerting
more and more influence upon the careers
Of public men, whether In or out of the
government service, but if the biogra-
plies Of members Of the early Congresses
were compared with those Of the Fifty
eighth 1t Is likely that the percentage OF
university men would be found
higher among the old-timers.
OF the. ninety Senators and 1874 Rep
resentatives to sit In the 6ifty-eighth
Congress 227 are college men, according
to their own statements. Two hundred
and twenty-one state that they received
common education or none at all. The
colleges mentioned in some instances
are unknown to fame. Without giving
names, it Is no more than truth to de-
clare that some Of the university-bred
men cut very small figure in Congress,
while one or two Of the rough-hewn old
fellows who never had any schooling are
successful and influential"
Leaders Not College Men.
The real leaders Of the Senate had
nothing more than an academic edu-
cation. The Speaker-apparent Of the
House Is not a college man. It Is note
worthy that the best speakers in both
houses are men of college training, while
the most effective workers. both in poll
tics and practical statecraft, are men
who were educated only in the public
schools and in small academies.
Taking the careers of United States
Senators, as known to the world and
partly told in their brief biographical
sketches in the congressional directory,
it appears to be true that the education
of experience counts far more toward
success than preliminary training. If
man has the faculty Of politics and the
gift of practical application, the early
training of a university adds to his
strength and breadth. But in too many
much upon q superior education" when,
in fact, he is not educated at all so far
as the business before him is concerned.
In short, a university education and an
education fitting man to cope with the
best brains of the Senate are different
things.
There are 1873 lawyers In the Fifty
eighth Congress. Some Of them have won
~ H. -
early training. Most Of the lawyers Of
highest standing in both houses were ed
ucated IN colleges. More lawyers come
from the South than from the North.
Few business men come to Congress
from the South, while the North is rep
resented largely by men in business. OF
the 118 business men in both houses
barely dozen come from the South.
Many of these business men are self
educated, or at best received a public
school education. The southern mem
bers in both houses are almost invaria-
bly, college men, though many Of their
colleges do not rank with those Of the
North.
Country Supplies Majority.
The country leads the city as source
Of supply for lawmakers. Two hundred
and ninety-two members Of the Fifty
eighth Congress were born in the coun-
try or in villages and 17S were born in
cities. The country-born members as a
rule are without college education and
perhaps half of them are poor men; yet
they include some of the most prominent
in Congress in both parties.
Whether city or country born, the ma
Jority of the Senators and members of
Congress made their own way. The
number Of rich men by inheritance is
small and their influence is on a par
with their numbers The Congressional
Directory is full OF inspiration to young
men. Hardly a sketch in the lot fails to
tell Of early struggles, persistent pluck
in the face Of disappointment, modest
advancement for years and final success
after gaining a superb education in the
school of experience.
The line Of nativity between North
and South is drawn closely-that is, few
members born in the North are now rep
resenting the South in Congress, and
vice versa. One hundred and sixty-five
members were born III the South and 2S7
In the North. Twenty were born abroad,
and therefore cannot hope to sit at the
cabinet table. Forty were born under
the star Of Ohio and therefore, perhaps,
are in Congress by the right Of birth.