The Washington herald., 1910-04-10

am trying to destroy "A legislative ma
chine. and I think the insurgents have
damaged it so badly that il viii never
again run very smoothly. All machines
grow dangerous and corrupt with time,
no matter how good they are at the start.
But they are being broken. simultaneous
~, in every part Of the country. on the
theory that in the very nature of things
they are the secret confederates of mo-
nOpolies and trusts"
Born in Buckeye state.
As a child, Judge Norris lived among
eighty acres of stumps in Sandusky
County. Ohio. His father died when he
was four years old. \ brother was killed
in the civil war. The mother was left
with ten daughters and SON. She was
ar uneducated woman-being able to
read. but finding it difficult to write her
name. My mother" Judge Norris said.
was good to her children, and sent every
one of US TO school. We attended to our
business he added with visible satisfac-
tion "and as students beat any other
family. large or small. in the community.
neighbors, and. in the course of time,
most of US became teachers"
when did you begin to earn wages?"
at the age of ten, going to a farmer
whom we knew and getting 30 cents a
day and my board. ! was a strong boy
and when I was twelve years old could
bind as much wheat as a man. 1 have
never seen anyone who could beat me
in the harvest field or at husking corn.
When I ran the first time for Congress,
Ashton c. Shallenberger. now governor
of Nebraska, was my Democratic OppO-
nent. We had a joint debate in an agri-
cultural settlement and he ridiculed my
practical knowledge of farming. I chal-
lenged him on the spot, saying / would
husk corn with him the next day, from
O'Clock in the morning until 6 o'clock
in the evening. and if the judges didn't
decide that I was the better man, l would
resign my place on the Republican ticket
and let the election go by default How
ever. Shallenberger refused my offer. I
was elected by a plurality of ISL votes,
in district composed of eighteen coun-
ties While l have no definite informa-
ton on the subject, I am inclined 10
think that my challenge TO Shallenberger.
getting out among the farmers, did me
no harm.
Worked with Tbrashers.
1.-THE summer l was twelve years old
I was paid 81 day for helping to bind
fifty acres of wheat I remember that
I received 81 in lump which was more
money than | had ever seen before
Thus 1 worked until was fifteen years
Of age For two seasons. / was with a
thrashing machine, holding my own with
the strongest of men. Meanwhile, of
course. | HAD attendedV school three
months every winter My brother. pre-
vious to his enlistment in the army,
had been a student at Baldwin University.
some thirteen miles from the city OF
Cleveland Accompanied by two of my
sisters. I matriculated there when / was
fifteen l had saved some money ana
had sold a colt for $50. We rented three
upstairs rooms and kept house. Tie fol-
lowing summer / returned to the wheat
fields of Sandusky County
My nephew. the son of one of my
sisters, lived in the country. south of
Toledo. He was an enthusiastic anu
bustling young fellow of my own age.
Going to the directors of a school near
his home, ne said that he had an uncle
who had been away TO college and
wanted to teach. So 1 was employed for
the winter at $50 month and my board.
BY and by the directors learned that
the uncle who had been away to college