Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-24

cratic, bluff and hearty. Somebody has
even accused him of being coarse. He
has a kindly gray eye that wrinkles
with humor, and he tells good story
when he has time.
Charles Z. Magoon is i Lincoln (Neb)
lawyer. Lincoln has lad other famous
lawyers. w. J. Bryan, Senator Il. J..
Burkett, ex-Comptroller of the Curren-
cy c. G.. Dawes and ex-Assistant Sec
rotary Of the Treasury G. NJ. Lambert
son may be mentioned as belonging to
the list. Magoon was born in Mime
sofa in 1861. He comes of one of the
early New England families. He was
educated in the University of Nebraska
and read law under one of the promi-
nent firms of Lincoln. The second day
after lie began to study one of the
members of the firm said
$50 you're going to be a lawyer are
your
81 am going to try to be one" an
swered Magoon.
well. he Is Il fisherman who catches
fish. and he is a lawyer who tries law
suits. Just go over to Jim Twins and
practice on that case"
Became Fast Friends.
Young Magoon lost the case, but he
tried others. with better success. When
George ID. Meiklejohn was lieutenant
governor Mr.. Magoon rendered him val
liable legal service in IL contested cleo
ton case, and the two men became fast
friends. Afterward Meiklejohn became
assistant secretary of war. and Ma
COON, happening 10 be in Washington.
rendered him IL further service in look
ing up legal point. Meiklejohn there
upon proposed to lave created Il law
officer for insular affairs and to give the
place to Magoon. The young lawyer
wired to his partner. Charles o. Whe
don, for advice and received the lacon-
ic reply, Don't be blamed fool"
Whether the present governor Of Pan
anna concluded to be that or not he has
never stated. but at any rate he diSre
garded the advice and accepted the ap
pointment. His work in the new Office
was so able and exhaustive that it
brought him praise from Presidents Nc
Kinley and Roosevelt and such pro-
found lawyers as Taft and Root. be-
sides making Magoon famous. When
there was no longer need of law off,
Ger for insular affairs he was made
counsel for the Panama canal commits
sion, and his appointment as governor
of the zone followed soon after.
Magoon is called Judge" by every
body around Washington. and his man.
ner of getting the title is worth tell
ing. Secretary Meiklejohn gave it to
him by introducing him everywhere as
Judge Magoon. When the two were
alone the younger man asked:
why, in heavens name. George, did
you introduce me as judge
Because" replied the frank secre- |
tary, lone might as well be in hades |
with broken back as in Washington |
without n title
Magoon thereupon ransacked his |
mind and remembered that he had |
been Judge advocate general of tile |
Nebraska national guard whereupon
he concluded that the title might stick. |
1t stuck. He is called Judge" more |
DAY
In his present position Mr.. Magoon |
has proved popular and efficient. In |
addition TO his other complex and cX
acting duties, he has had charge of the |
difficult problem of the sanitation of |
the isthmus, in which great progress |
has been made. He is q large man, OF |
splendid physique. and during his re-
cent visit to this country appeared In |
the pink of health. He says he fears |