Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-04-21


large proportion OF university graduates
who are successful in life that has caused
some people about the United States sem
ate TO recall facts bearing on the senators
fl the present congress and have had
rather slight early advantages in the
way OF school attendance.
A search Of the facts in the Biographies
OF the congressional directory shows that
many Of The men who are occupying emil
nent positions in the senate and have
played a prominent part in the affairs of
their states and in the ountry at large,
had to work hard for an education and
did not get it in the college or university.
Many OF them had bat few years in any
school and after that meager beginning
were forced to knock out of hard condi-
tions all the education they acquired, as
they were forced to secure a living under
similar conditions.
These are not uneducated men. In many
Instances they are men Of high attain
snents IN literature, in the sciences and in
every respect that contributes to the
makeup OF a cultivated gentleman. But
they secured those accomplishments out
side of the college and the university.
They acquired them by the aid of the
proverbial midnight oil, studying after
days of hard work, while many others
were bent on an evening of pleasure.
one thing is certain. In the contests of
reason and oratory that take place in the
senate chamber the early educational ad-
vantages OF the senators could never be
detected. Men whose struggle 10 climb
the ladder of knowledge and fame was in
many instances the hardest, bear no evil
deuces Of the scars of that struggle. In
language. in clever argument, i'm shrcwd-
ness and in ease OF manner they show
themselves Ia be masters OF the situation.
Was a Printers Devil"
Senator Patterson, a brilliant writer and
speaker, went to school in New York city
until he was IA years Of age, and then
struck out in the manly art of knocking
a living out OF the world. lie became a
printers devil and during three years went
through that same educating experience
which laid the foundat ion to the career of
the wise and good Benjamin Franklin.
There was work in the day and study at
night. The young man at II thought to
Improve his condition and learned the
trade of q jeweler and matchmaker. On
and on he went with his studies. There
were no college professors to assist, but
there was determination. Finally. when
p years OF age he grasped an opportunity
TO 60 TO De Pauw university and later
Wabash college, Ind, but he was able to
attend only until the end Of his junior
year. Later he studied law, took an ac-
tive part in politics and as editor became
an influence IN MS STATE.
Expert on Ships.
me career Of Senator Perkins of Cali
fornia is another example of what real grit
and native ability can accomplish for a
boy. lie was reared on a farm in Maine.
and had only limited educational advan-
tages. NJ the age of II years he went to
sea as a cabin boy. II was in 1855, when
grown TO he a man, he shipped before the
mast and sailed from the Golden Gate. In
these days there was plenty or hardship
for the sailor and success was gained by
hard knocks and determination Young
Perkins then engaged in mercantile pur-
suits and developed fine business capacity
He became "A banker and engaged in min
lng. milling and the steamship business,
being especially fitted by his experience
for the latter. He has ever since been
Interested in shipping matters and when
ever any bin comes before congress in re-
gation TO the shipping interests Senator
Perkins is heard with especial attention.
He also has a keen interest In all legisla-
ton for the Improvement Of the condition
OF sailors whether on land or sea. When
they talk about the seafarinS men Sena-
ter Perkins understands just how il is.
he is a man of wide experience. and has a
vast fund OF information on q great vari-
city of subjects. Any one who meets him
Is Impressed with the idea that he has
dad tne best educational advantages and
Is 4 man polished by travel.
Educated by Experience.
senator Barry OF Arkansas. who
achieved a record Is a brilliant soldier
IN The confederaey, and who mas occupied
ali sorts of eminent places in his state,
was 2 mar Of limited carly education.
I'aat education was largely in private
schools. Mr.. Barry became a LAWYER OF
great distinction. and IN the senate has
had a long and honorable career.
Senator Knute Ne.son came to this coun-
try from Norway when sin years OF age,
4 and al n.ncteen went into the Union army.
I There were hard knocks aud plenty of
them. He first lived IN Chicago. then
went to wisconsin and to Minnesota. Ee
is A Iinguisi of unusually fine attainments.
He Is one Of the most widely read men IN
~the senate, and as n colversati9nalist he
rs charming to a high degree.
senator German, whose keelness OF in-
tellect and polished bearing causes hsm
to be admired everywhere, had no ROSY
road to an eduea He was an example
,of the boy who gathers in~ an education
from his surroundings. As a boy for a
time he went 10 the pubic schools OF How
ard county. Nd, and then became a page
in the United States senate. in which he
was ultimately to play so prominent a
4arr. FIe was IN the employ of the senate
for fourteen years. The senate was his
university and no university graduate ever
made better use Of his opportunities.
Senator Tillman with his rugged whirl-
wind oracory and native brilliancy OF mind
Is another case OF a successful man with
poor educational advantages and that in
a state in which a polite education counted
Tor much. South Carolina had been i'm the
control of the aristocracy ever since tho
war. The sons of the well-to-do had po-
lltical honors reserved for them. TiIlman,
reared on a farm, only knew the little
school house that was open TO the sons Of
the poor people. At seventeen he left that
school and went into the war. He lost
any eye during the war period go that he
was still further handicapped in the race
for success. But he was a terror when he
alike 10 the people and he won support
that I'm spite of the long rule of the aris-
tocracy placed Kim in absolute control OF
the state. He is today and has always
been 4 deliver into books. He knows men
.and he has the art of reaching the SYM
pathies OF the plain people to a degree
that no university education could give
Aim.
Varied Starts in Life.
Senator Alger Of Michigan lost his par
.ents at the age of eleven years and for
seven years ne labored OH a farm. and
whatever education he could acquire was
opportunity 10 attend an academy for a
for his lost educational opportunities BY
burning the midnight oil.
Senator McCumber and senator Hans
brough both had small educational OPP
portunities. but they are both men OF wide
a. - ..xI - axr >l.s. ffnt, Es.LE t