Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1908-08-07
ny GEORGE II. PICARD.
HOHN WORTH KERN. the man
who has been chosen by the
Denver convention to be the run

HOHN WORTH KERN, the man
who has been chosen by the
az Denver convention to be the run
ming mate Of william J. Bryan,
Is known az one Of the most valiant
champions Of Democracy In the Hoo
sier State. It Is true that In the ma
jority Of the political contests IN which
he has figured he has been on the los
ing side, but that has not had the ef.
feet Of lessening his popularity or
RELOCATING him into the obscurity
which Ia the usual fate OF the oft de-
feated candidate for political honors.
1t Is admitted by all Of those who
are at all conversant with the political
situation in Indiana that Mr.. Kern IL
far and away the most popular Demo
crat In the state. This fact has been
made apparent on numerous occasions.
He has been twice honored by his par.
ty with the nomination for governor
and has also been the Democratic can.
didate for United States senator. 81.
1t is not by his political associates
alone that Mr.. Kern Is held in high
repute. Men Of all political creeds
have learned to like him and to APP
preciate his sterling worth. Although
ever since his entry into political life
he has been accounted an extreme par.
~ man, he has never permitted HIM
self even during the heat of a political
campaign to indulge In personalities
or descended to the abuse OF any of
his political antagonists. He Is es-
tcemed throughout the state as d man
Of high Ideals and pure motives.
In 1900 Mr.. Kern received the NOM
tnation for governor, bat he went down
to defeat with Mr.. Bryan. Again In
1904 he was given another opportu.
uity. but the sorry political fortune Of
the previous campaign was repeated.
Although he was regarded as one Of
Mr.. Bryan's stanchest friends, he was
the first Indiana man Of any especial
prominence to come out for Judge AL.
ton B. Parker, whom he supported 10y
ally without In any way endangering
his friendship for the man from Ne
braska. Thus It IL that he IL today one
Of Mr.. Bryan's closest friends and adj
mirers.
Mr.. Kern In q native son OF the
Hoosier State, born In Howard county,
near Kokomo, In 1S4e. He is OF south
ern extraction, his father having emil
grated from Virginia In 1896 and be-
coming one Of the pioneers Of Howard
county, where he practiced medicine
for several years. When John was
ave years OF age his parents decided
to remove to Iowa, and the family re-
manned In that state until the lad was
fifteen. Soon, after the Kerns had
returned to their old home their son
entered the State Normal school and
after short period Of preparation be-
came q district school teacher In How
hrd county. After he had succeeded
In saving a little money he entered
the University Of Michigan as n MEM
Der OF the freshman class.
His means were not sufficient to ad-
NIT Of regular attendance at the uni
versity, and he was obliged to take
several long intermissions Ia order to
earn tile money necessary to complete
his course. But he was resoiute IN
the determination to obtain an educa,
ton. and he permitted no hardship to
turn him from his purpose. When he
was graduated he carried or all the
honors to which he was eligible, and
his record was most gratifying Of any
member Of the class.