The Washington herald., 1908-07-11
JOHN w. KERN, OF INDIANA
Vice Presidential Candidate Highly Regarded As FearIesSy
Honest Man Something of His Career

John w. Kern. nominated for the Vice
Presidency by the Denver convention. has
been a prominent figure in State politics
for a period Of twenty-four years.
He has served as reporter Of the Su-
preme Court. four years in the State
senate from this county, and has been
twice honored by his party with the CUB
ernatorial nomination.
On one occasion no received the compll-
mentary vote OF the legislative minority
for the United States Senate.
Mr.. Kern has always been a stanch
party man. In the preliminary conven-
tions Of 1896. when there was such a de-
termined free-silver sentiment and IL
seemed inevitable that the approaching
Democratic State convention would In
dorse free silver, he was a pronounced
gold man and entered freely into the fight
to create sentiment in the party against
the new political dogma.
He made a number OF public speeches
in opposition to the doctrine and pre-
dicted that the party. If It should indorse
free silver in the State and national
platforms, would go down to defeat.
When the State convention met. he was
arrayed on the side Of the gold standard.
and was one Of it's most eloquent. and at
the same time most fearless. champions
in the face OF certain defeat.
worked for Bryan.
When the State and national conven-
tions had spoken on the subject, he de-
clared his allegiance to the party. and
went into the campaign that followed,
and did his utmost 10 elect Bryan. His
preconvention utterances were hurled az
him. by the opposition press and by
orators on the hustings, but Kern took
the ground that his party had spoken,
and its utterances were law unto him.
Unlike many who had been gold Demo
Gratis. but accepted Bryan and the 1856
platform for the sake OF party regularity,
Kern's earnestness or honesty was never
questioned and though losing the sup
port Of the gold Democrats. who stood by
their convictions. he got hrmer hold
upon the free silver element and has
/ ever since enjoyed it's confidence.
/ 1t was IN the convention Of 1896. when
SO many Democrats Of prominence weye
opposed 10 Bryan. that Kern won thu
esteem OF the Nebraskan and received
many marks OF his favor. The friendship
begun then has been continued uninter-
ruptedly ever since.
While not polished orator, Kern Is a
! forcible and logical speaker and a cam
palgncr Of more than ordinary tact anc
ability, and has the faculty Of getting q
crowd in sympathy with him wherever
! he speaks. lie is thoroughly acquainted
in Indiana. and has made two creditame
though losing campaigns as the party
| nominee for governor
Bryan to Tour Indiana.
| II was understood before the indiana
delegation left here for Denver that Bryan
would tour the State this year. and Fl
was proposed, as an arguement in Kerni
behalf. both with the Nebraskan an,
the delegations 10 the convention. TO urg,
upon them that he was a man OF enor
nous energy. unyielding determination
and thoroughly in earnest IN any worl
in which he engaged. There are fewel
Iintenser natures than Kern's, and no In
diana politician was ever stronger in hL
| friendships or more outspoken in his en-
mites than he.
Four years ago he was defeated by tn,
anti-Taggart faction for craftsmanship o
the city committee, but despite the abus
OF the factional struggle he was On
OF the most loyal supporters OF the maj