The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-06-16
Especial Correspondence.) }

lsduS dJ IL years Vi age are uSudlly
more attracted to a fishhook than a
textbook. Before Judge d. l.. Rock
well, of Ravenna, Democratic nominee
for lieutenant governor, was in his
teens he was student of political sci
ence and Jeffersonian Democracy. He
gave campaign talks from his fathers
porch, where OCCASIONALLY he had an
audience. Quite as often he did not,
for the family took to the house.
Judge Rockwell was born polite as |
well as politician. Once upon time,
In his kindergarten age, when chas-
tized by his mother for disobedience, |
with tears in his eyes. he expressed |
the hope that when he became man |
and had children, he might rear them
with the business sagacity his mother
had displayed in rearing hers-an ex-
cellent spirit to manifest in vote get
ting.
This same gift of the gods made
Judge Rockwell a successful Demo-
cratic andidate for probate judge in
Republican county.
Rockwell comes naturally by his De-
mocracy and his vote-making ability.
His father, whose name he bears, was
a prominent politician and once a
nominee for congress in an over
whelmingly Republican district. Yet
80 strong was his prestige and his hold
upon the people that the race was
close and the result unannounced for
several days. Moreover, his father was
a man as keen in business as in poll
tics and, at his death, left behind him
a comfortable fortune, the result OF
long years Of toll and careful invest
ments.
1t would not have been surprising II
a young man thus left with an inde-
pendent income had dedicated himself
to life of ease and debiliating mac
tivity. But Rockwell was made OF
sterner material. To him the field OF
American politics and American busi-
ness opened wide opportunities.
There was in him nothing of the
shirk, or the laggard. He liked to
work for works sake, and because he
could not be an idler or drone. 1t Is
told of him that, when boy, word
came that an assistant was needed in
a near by summer resort. The next
morning Rockwell was on hand, as
early as the sun, to try for the place.
Out of dozen applicants he was
chosen. and the months of his vaca-
tion were passed in this employment.
z z'I am getting start" he said in an
swer to remonstrances, "and it is bet
ter than doing nothing at home"
Judge Harmon was nominated for
governor at the recent Democratic
state convention after he had publicly
and privately declined the honor, and
declared he had no ambition for such
a position. Rockwell's place, upon the
ticket, came to him in much similar
way.
He attended the convention as del
egate from his home county OF Port
age, determined to accept no nomlna-
ton. 1t was while at lunch, with
friend, that his name was suggested
as lieutenant governor. 1t met with
approval and when he returned to the
hall, the first ballot, the ballot upon
which he was nominated, was half
over.
Protest was useless, although he en-
deavored to work his way to the stage
and cry out against the action of the
delegates. But, once nominated, his
devotion to the party and loyalty to
the cause overpowered personal sacri-
fee and he accepted the result
The career of this young man-he
lacks some months of being 31-has
been remarkable and indicative OF the
potentialities which confront the am
bilious and sturdy American boy. He
was barely 21 when the electorate OF
Kent, thriving village in Portage
county, selected him as their mayor.
The cry against him was that of cal
low youth, inexperience and inability
Yet he was elected by substantial
majority and became the youngest
chief executive in Ohio If not III the
United States.
His reelection in 1902 by largely
Increased vote, gave testimony to the
character of his administration and
reception by the people. A most DIM
cult proposition confronted him OF
his second term-a proposition which
called for cool and calculating judg
ment and the exercise of more thar
ordinary diplomacy. The town hat
voted in favor of issuing $4,000 o
"Paid Improvement Bonds" Later al
attempt was made to repudiate these
bonds and disclaim the square election
of the voters.
Rockwell took Issue against the re
pudiatlon He fought 1t in council ant
later in the state and federal court
and finally the victory was his.
Rockwell, you have made mis-
take" said a resident of the village
when the final issue had been regis
tered 81 am sorry, but 1t means you
determination in politics"
81 have only did my duty" was tn
answer, "and am willing to abide b.
the result"
His vjndication came the same yeai
In the fall of 1902 the Democrats @
Portage county nominated him 10
probate Judge. The county was Re