Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-06-24
THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CAN
DIDATE,

convention at Chicago, was elected to
the Senate in January, 1897, to succeed
Daniel w. VOORHEES,, and took his seat
in the extra session OF Congress called
by President Mckinley shortly follow
ing the Inauguration, during which ses-
sion the Dingley act was passed. he
went to the Senate new man, not hav-
ing previously held any public office.
At the time he was comparatively un-
known beyond the borders of his own
State and those adjacent, but it was not
long until he gained standing with his
colleagues because of his shrewdness in
council. His position on many of the
questions that were contested in the
Senate attracted public attention. Be-
fore the close of his term, on March 4,
1908, he was again chosen to the Senate
by the unapimous voice of his party,
and, unless chosen Vice President next
fall. he will continue in the Senate un-
til March 4, 1909.
Mr.. Fairbanks has steadily grown in
influence since his entrance into the
Senate, aud is among the recognized
leaders of that body. He is not among
those who inject themselves into debate
merely for the JOY of speaking, but when
he speaks is given close attention. His
speeches usually exhibit thorough know
ledge of the questions discussed.
As a speaker, however, Mr.. Fairbanks
is neither emotional nor eloquent. He
has not the grace of oratory nor the
yolubility of language that catch the gal
leries, and he never directs his efforts to
that portion of his audience. He is calm
and deliberate in utterance, argumenta-
tive and analytical in the presentation OF
his cause. In the Senate Mr.. Fairbanks
discusses questions as if he were Arguing
before bench of judges and not as il
talking to influence jury. In body
composed largely of lawyers he naturally
commands attention when on the floor,
and more than ordinary influence in the
councils OF the committees and in the
secret sessions of the Senate.
The story of the life and struggle OF
Mr.. Fairbanks is interesting. Charles
Warren Fairbanks is descendant OF
Jonathan Fairbanks, who came from
England and settled in Dedham, Mass,
in 1886, bringing with him to the new
country his wife, four sons and two daugh-
ters. Landing in Boston, Jonathan did
not remain long in that town, but went
to Dedham, where he settled and en-
gagged in agricultural pursuits. Senator
Fairbanks is the eighth in descent from
Jonathan.
Charles was born in Union county
on May IL, 1852, and spent his boyhood
there. He attended the schools of the
neighborhood, studied at home and used
every opportunity that presented to Sc
cure an education. He went as far as
the local schools could take him and
then decided upon securing a college
training.
Young Fairbanks, by farm work and
wagonmaking, had saved sal by the
time he reached the age of Is years
With it and one suit Of clothes he travel
to Delaware, Ohio, where he entered
Ohio Wesleyan University. The neces
sity of closely guarding his s4l led to {
rooming and patching" alliance with
another ambitious young man. Theii
culinary education was limited to the
preparation of baked potatoes, mush,
bread and batter cakes. On this
mainly batter cakes--they lived.
He turned to account his rudi'
mentary knowledge of carpentry by
working on Saturdays for local con-
tractor for 1925 day. His employer
was a negao and all of his co-workers
were negroes.
A few weeks after young Fairbanks
arrived at college he fell and split hi:
only trousers beyond immediate repair
1t was necessary for him to borrow a
pair from fellow-student, and the loan
had to be continued because he was de-
MED credit for new pair at the stores
in the town. He had to send bone
for his mother to make him another pair
Among the students he made friends
and ranked as one of the most popular
young men at the college. He became
one Of the editors of the college paper
and this broadened his field of study anC
improved his style of composition.
Graduated in 1872 with high honor
young Fairbanks entered upon the stud,
of law with that patience, earnestnes'
aud persistency which have since char
acterized his efforts. While thus en-
gagged he became an attache of the Asso
ciated Press at Pittsburg and Cleveland
which enabled him to earn sufficien
money to pursue his studies. The lat
William Henry Smith, of the Western
Associated Press, whose sister was Sena
tor Fairbanks mother, recognized th'
ability of Fairbanks and assisted him IL
securing employment in the newspape
field.
Since entering the political field hi
success has been rapid. Having com
pleted his studies in the law, Mr.. Fair
hanks removed to Indianapolis, wher
he entered actively upon the practice o
his profession. Judge Gresham, VIII
was At that time on the federal bench
was attracted to him and was OF grea
service to him. In this way his interest
w.-a .,..,.n.aJ and he was given earl