The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-07-22
Charles Warren Fairbanks.

United States. Ohio is still at the front
for Mr.. Fairbanks was born on a farm
near Unionville Center, Union county,
May II, 1852. Personally he is hand
some man, and his physical appearance
is striking. He stands over six feet in
height, and this gives an impression of
slenderness to the beholder. He is an
able man, in all that the adjective i'm
plies. He has had very wide exper-
fence in public life, and is intimately
familiar with all the great questions
now to the fore in American politics.
Mentally and by training he is admir-
ably fitted for the active duties of the
vice president-that of presiding over
the United States senate. And as the
contingency is always to be calculated
upon of some unforeseen stroke of fate
elevating the second officer in the nation
to the presidency, it is pleasure to the
average citizen to know that he meas
ures up to the presidential standard. He
is. man of culture, refinement and of
the mental strength which is the finest
product Of American citizenship.
Mr.. Fairbanks attended "the little
red schcolhouse" in his boyhood, and
when he advanced beyond its curricu-
lum, entered Ohio Wesleyan University
at Delaware, Ohio, from which he grad
uated in 1872. Then he took up the
study of the law, and was admitted to
the bar in 1874. He Immediately re-
moved to Indianapolis which has since
been his home. Here he built up
magnificent law practice, through his
natural talents and his hard work.
His political career for years was that
of an earnest worker for the republican
cause. 1t was not until 1892, after
| eighteen years of professional and polit-
| ical work, that his merits as a worker
and organizer were recognized by his
selection as chairman of the republican
state committee of Indiana. In these
| eighteen years he had become we'll
known to the people of his adopted state,
not only for his remarkable success at
| the bar and in business, but as cam
paign speaker of great ability. He
was, in 1896, temporary chairman of
the national republican convention at
| st. Louis.
He never held public Office of any
kind until 1897, when he was elected,
by the Indiana legislature. as United
States senator to succeed Daniel w.
Voorhees,, democrat, the tall Sycamore
of the Wabash" His campaign for this
position began in 1898, when he was the
unanimous choice of the republicans in
the Indiana legislature, but as that
party was in the minority he was de-
feated by David Turpie, democrat.
Four years later, when the legislature
had republican majority, he had no
opposition in his own party. He has
! held his seat in the senate continuously
since 1897.
When he entered the senate his alHl-
! ity was soon demonstrated, and he ad-
vanced rapidly to place among the re-
publican leaders. He had the entire
confidence of the late President McKin-
ley, who consulted him more frequently
than any member of the senate except
his old-time personal friend, Mr.. Hanna.
In 1898. Mr.. Fairbanks was named
member of the joint high commission
for the adjustment of questions at issue
between the United States and Canada,
and he was appointed chairman of the
American commissioners. In the ma
tional republican convention of 1900, he
was chairman of the committee on reso-
lutions, and prepared as well as report
ed the platform on which Mckinley was
reelected.
Among his fellow-senators, Mr.. Fair
banks is held in high esteem; and this
extends to both sides of the chamber
democrats and republicans alike. He
is not gabbler; he does not rise to
speak frequently; but when he does he
commands entire attention from sena-
tors of both parties. He deals with public
questions in a PLAIN, straightforward
style, and one WHICH is very effective
His speeches have the rare merit of read
ing as convincingly as they are heard.
His committee assignments in the sen.
ate tell how highly he is regarded. He
is member of the committee on foreign
relations, on Canadian relations, coast
and insular survey, immigration, judic-
larry, and the geological survey; and is
chairman of the committee on public
buildings and grounds
The national convention has made a
wise choice. Like that of four years
ago, it has drafted for the place q man
who is fitted for the higher Office of
president, should fate or accident call
him to take that position. He is
statesman, sound and careful, with an,
experience in public affairs which is in
valuable to either vice president or presi-
dent.-Toledo Blade.