Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-10-22

School. where he graduated with the
highest honorS. aud Immediately en-
tered on a classical course of study at
Highland Park University. DcS
Moiups. Iowa. and in four years made
such record that he was offered
prOfCssorship in that college. and on
declining was houorcd with the dcgr,c
of Master Of Arts. While az college
Mr.. O'Bricu took a special course of
study in political economy and con.
stitutional and general law. and has
since been a student of economic and
municipal questions. all Of which well
equip him for the duties of a Congress.
mdn. After a course OF law study in
Chicago he entered the practic" of his
profession with such signal success
that he was soon made the trial ut.
torney for the City of Chicago. which
position. after filling with credit. he
resigned for private practice Ills
firm at present Is O'Brien 4 McKin.
ley. lie is lecturer on law at one
of the local law schools. and, although
but ten years in practice. Is recognized
as one of the ablest lawyers Mt the
bar. and especially as trial lawyer,
having but few equals before jury.
He has been the attorney for labor
unions In a number Of trials in which
he greatly distinguished himself.
Mr.. O'Brien was the advocate of and
olouuently defended the six city fire
men who We're placed on trial last win
ter before the Trial Board on the
charge of belonging to q union. He
also fought for the double shift and
reduced hours for firemen before the
City Council and secured the passage
of the ordinance to that effect.
In every respect Mr.. O'Brien is fit.
tel and qualified to make brilliant
and useful member of Congress.
~e~
James ]. Gray has made a splendid
record as an obliging. honest and
painstaking public official.
Hon. William Best will at the close
of 1904 complete his nineteenth year
as a member of the South Park Board.
Mr.. Best has always been regarded
as one of the foremost citizens of Chi
cago. Always Interested In public af-
fairs and in the welfare and advance
ment of the city, he Is esteemed and
respected by the entire community.
During the nineteen years that he has
been member Of the South Park
Board he has been constant in his at
tendance and indefatigable in his ex-
ertions to improve and beautify the
parks. the boulevards, and, In fact.
the entire district.
In saying that Mr. Best's career has
been long and honorable one among
Us. indeed one Of which any man
might well be proud, we lave but to
refer to his record, which is part Of
the history of Chicago. for con6rma.
ton. II such We're necessary.
Mr.. Best was born in Canterbury,
England. but came to Chicago when
he was but ten years old. He was ed.
ucated in the public schools. and be.
gan life as an Office boy In the whole
sale house Of John Partridge Il CO.
From this beginning he worked his
way up the ladder of life by his own
energy. honesty and faithful perform
ance of all duties intrusted to him.
In 1888 he was. without his knowledge
or consent, elected South Town Collect.
or, which office he filed with great
credit. refusing at the termination OF
his term to retain the = per cent OF
his collections usually pocketed by the
occupants of this position. Nineteer
years ago he was appointed South
Park Commissioner just when it was
proposed to extend Michigan avenue
boulevard south Of 35th street, and the
sturdy stand he took at the time. re-
fusing TO he influenced In any partlcu
lar by interested parties, won him the
7 zens at large. He was elected presi
dent Of the board in 1887, which Of
flee he filed until 1891. In September,
1885, he was by acclamation nOmi
mated for sheriff Of Cook County, N
honor, however which he emphatical
ly declined to accept, his extensive
business demanding his retirement
from public life, much to the regre'
of his party. Mr.. Best has been fire.
quently mentioned for Mayor, and
could time and again have had the
Democratic nomination II he cared tC
accept ii. He Is loyal Democrat, anf
has always been one of that party'i
foremost supporters.
Mr.. Best's many friends hope TO see
him continue for many years TO COM
occupying the sphere of usefulness
which he has so long and so wei
filed as a member Of the South Park
Board.
%eA
There Is much being said nowaday'
for and against the new charter prop
ositlon. There are many who claim
the idea Is not what 1t Is cracked III
10 be, but there are others who ad
vance strong arguments in its favor
The public should weigh carefully
what Is said on both sides of this
question, and meantime campaign Oi
education would In this case be OF
some service 10 the general public IN
arriving at the right conclusion. 1t il
a matter of the grayest Importance tC
the public generally and 10 the tax
payers in particular.
~
Curb the automobile nuisance.