The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25
By a Statesman

successful In politics. The answer was sim.
Pile. It was because they did not understand
the game OF politics. 1t would be Just the
same az X / attempted TO manage some busl-
ness that did not understand. Failure
would be the result. A knowledge OF what
you are doing Is necessary in any line OF
human endeavor."
No Royal Road in Politics.
It must not be Imagined. however, that
there II any royal road to success In poll
tics any more than there Is in any othertrade
or calling. Many men who have not been
trained In the art have proved themselves
adopts in playing the game. Others have
risen In spite OF poverty and educational de-
fecs. Such men, however, would have been
successful In anything they might have un-
dertaken. Energy and persistence always
count In this country The proof OF the pos
sibilities OF politics Is to be seen In the lives
OF many OF the men who are In congress to-
day. Some OF my colleagues have had a
career that should inspire young and ainbi-
tious men everywhere.
Take the case OF Congressman Macon Of
Arkansas, for instance. He was left an or
phan when but 8 years OF age, and without
resources, was put to work on a farm, where
he remained until he was Large enough to
shove himself away from the pillow handles.
His education, therefore, was limited to the
private and public schools In the community
Y in which he lived. He supplemented this,
however, by home study, and by persistent
energy and lnnumerable sacrifices managed
to mount the ladder OF fame Until he finally
reached the capitol OF his native land
Some Self-Developed Statesmen.
Senator Perkins OF California Is another
man whose life illustrates the possibilities
Of American politics. He was reared on a
farm, with limited educational advantages
When he was II years old he went to sea
as cabin boy. He followed this calling
and that of sailor for several years, and
before he had reached mans estate he
shipped before the mast on a sailing vessel
bound for San Francisco. When he reached.
the Golden Gate he resolved to cast his for
tunes In that section Of the country. and he
won both fame and fortune.
James AfcLachlan, who represents the Los
Angeles, Call, district In congress. Is en-
instance OF a boy who was born In Scotland
coming to this country at a tender age and
growing up and SURPRISING many OF the boys
who were born on the soil. He saw the
light Of day Mt Argyllzhire. Scotland; but
he was reared and educated in California
He worked on the farm and received his early
training in the public schools. Before he was
t1G years OF age he had become a school
teacher. and while enga ged in this work
prepared himself for college. and was after
wards admitted to practice In the courts.
West Develops Big Men.
It is Interesting TO note that most OF the
and self-reliant men who are
now in public life were either born or reared
In the great west. Martin J.. Wade, one OF
the congressman from Iowa. is an illustra-
ton OF this. He removed to Iowa with his
parents at an early age. They settled upon
farm in Butler county. The usual hard
ships OF pioneer life were experienced.
Young Wade went to the district school in
winter and worked on farms in summer until
he was about 20 years OF age, when he en-
tered st. Joseph's college at Dubuque. la.
He followed that by O. term in the Iowa uni
ycrsty. and after his graduation began the
study OF law and an active interest in poll
tics He has served on the bench, was pres
ident OF the Iowa State Bar association and