The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-04
Why Swanson Succeeded.

Editor of Virginian;
Hon. Claude A. Swanson, the retir-
ing governor of the commonwealth of
Virginia, babe adieu officially to the
executive mansion and the people of
This city and State ON Tuesday last.
In the four years he has exercised the
functions of this great office he has
mastered many problems with
statesman's brain. His every act has
been characterized by the determination
to do the most good to the most peo-
pie and he merits every enconium
which has been showered upon him
by an appreciative people. Few men
ever attaiped more prominence in their
career as public servants than the
retiring executive. He Is a real self.
made man. From poor boy he grew
up to honored manhood and was idol
lied by his district so much that as a
candidate for Congress he received as
nigh as 5000 majority against a ma
tortty for the last Democratic candi-
date of few hundred, and Judge
Saunders has a chance of losing his
seat in Republican Congress, con-
test being waged by the defeated Re
publican aspirant.
1t 10 not the man altogether, although
Mr. Swanson Is an amiable mixer
the real reason for his success Is that
he Is true to his friends. whether in
or out of office; whether In a position
to help him or not; whether poor or
rich, his fidelity to the various trusts
committed to his care have added to
his fame which, like the rocks of Gil
braltar, will stand unmoved and I'M
movable for all time, notwithstanding
the hue and cry which emanates as
general and natural thing from those
who want ii all and fail to get it,
OF course you know. Mr. Editor,
that there are a few OF that kind of
people in Richmond. The retiring
governor was, and still is, a great
thinker. He recognized early in life
that great deal was lost by the fail
ure TO exercise the brain, and so he,
like the busy bee, improved each shin
ing hour until he reached his highest
ambition. being inaugurated as COVER
nor of this great State. His is an ex-
ample for the youth to emulate To
arrive at the same destination one
should take the same route that Claude
A. swanson trod, for he, like every
other poor boy, had his ups and downs.
especially in his country school days
X,
please, his financial and social sue
cess, and just consider his living sue
cess. See If 1t isn't attributable, in a
large measure. te a habit of thought.
See il the proper exercise of that
power has not been the principal in
gredient in what seems satisfactory
recipe f far his wonderful success.
Anyhow. Mr.. Swanson recognized the
proper functions of the brain. First,
it was the
Seat of power In man"
/ Second. 1t was
/ THE secret of success in man"
Third he found out it was
THE source of happiness" In count
less instances.
/ He hooted the idea that the brain
of man was merely 10 serve as an or
namental interior decoration OF the
Uranium.
Mr.. Swanson retires as captain of
the greatest ship of State in full
knowledge of an honest stewardship.
No stone has been left unturned to
make the old mother OF States shine
Respondent in the diadem of common
wealths. He has reflected credit wher-
ever he has been called as Virginia
representative. He is handsome in
personnel, forceful debater, and an
interesting and logical speaker In
his term of Office he has been called on.
perhaps, more than any governor for
many years, and, though at great in
convenience sometimes, he has cheer
| fully obeyed the summons A man like
Mr.. Swanson is not destined to perrna-
nent retirement, for these are times
when the State and country need men
! ike him-who think and act. He car
ries with him to his home the best
wishes Of the people he has served so
well. and it is hoped that the time "a
not far distant when he will be called
higher. inasmuch as you have been
faithful over few things we will make
you ruler over many. 1t wan Just such
an occasion as this which inspired the
poet t. pen these words;
Lives of great msr, they remind us,
We can make our lives sublIles
And. departing, leave behind us
Footprints in the sands of time
G.. II. III.