The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-24
By JAMES B. MORROW.


questioned by the bewildered mother. lis
the Fourth of July. and the Yankees are
celebrating their freedom with rockets
The little boy was Knute Nelson.
Since then--he landed at Castle Garden
sixty-one years ago-Knute Nelson has
been a soldier in the civil war-he was
wounded during a bloody charge at Port
Hudson and taken prisoner-a lawmaker
in wisconsin. a governor in Minnesota.
and a Representative and Senator in
Congress. Since then. likewise, he has
been as alert and practical in his way
as Andrew Carnegie, whom he resembles
an stature and IN the matter Of nose,
eyes, and complexion. but not in whis-
kers, the Norwegian having a white tuft
in contrast with the Scotsman's barren
chin
In his side to the passing world. as IT
bows and goes on, or stops to say
word Senator Nelson is a plain, trim
and friendly personality. As a negoti-
etor. sitting down at a table to bargain,
he is courageous. diplomatic, and agree
able. though stern Stephen B. Elkins.
OF West Virginia, a Mark Hanna type
of MANIFOLD, pugnacious. shrewd. and
Observation-Disclosures on the floor OF
the Senate not long ago that Knute Mel
son had out-traded him In the exchange
of items contained in the new tariff law.
Got What He Wanted.
He is a protectionist." Elkins said.
showing by his vigor OF expression and
III he
meant TO put Nelson exactly where he
belongs. He voted for the tariff bill
lie got everything his State wanted In
the bill. while the duty on West Vir-
ginia coal was reduced" Then. more in
taunt than with complaint, Elklns ex-
claimed He would not vote for the
bin until he got everything in It he
wanted-increased duties on hay. pota-
toes, wheat, barley, hops corn, eggs,
cattle; indeed, everything his State pro-
duces: even on ice and feathers"
Economically, politically, and CONNER
cially. the Elkins description. blurted out
inspiTationally In the passion OF debate.
is the best and most Illuminating that
has ever been given of the sagacious old
Norwegian lawyer who still lives on
farm and skiIfuIly practices with human
nature and keeps a whole State within
the palm Of his hand. Many man in
going onward, officially, uncOnsCiOusly
widens the distance betewen himself and
the electorate. He begins with a fTock
coat ordinarily, If he has not been ad-
dicted to that habit previously. Little by
little his viewpoint changes, and present
81 the octopus becomes a useful and
harmless domestic animal.
KAute Nelson wears a short coat,
white. starched shirt. and black neck
aie. He is as neat as a pin and just
about as bright and keen. a plain,
blunt man." he says of himself. No
GARNER would feel injuriously humble in
his presence. No mighty hnancier, not
even James ]. Hill, could meet him with
out realizing. instinctively and intellec-
1ually. that Knute Nelson Is his equal in
She subtle arts of management and bust
ness.
Antitrust Law a Safeguard.
IT believe. Mr. President" he recently
declared in the Senate. that next to the
Constitution Of the United States the
greatest legal protection we have in this
country is the antitrust lava sentence
that in all fairness must be added 20 the
spontaneous and sarcastic description as
uttered by Elkins. IN no instance has
Knute Nelson been ignorant Of the leap
ing or swirling currents OF public opinion.
He is a rugged man OF the people, and as
such. coming through Castle Garden, In
wooden shoes, perhaps. he is pictur-
esuue and stimulating example OF an alert
and successful American politician.
went back to Norway, In my first ques-
ton, and he said;
'eVVe lived In a narrow valley, near the
city of Bergen. Norwegian peasants own
small farms that front upon streams
usually, and extend back into the noun
tains. The few acres near the water
are cultivated; the rest is rough land,
and is used as pasturage for cows. My
father came 10 this country, intending to
earn money to bring my mother and
myself here, but he died OF cholera
That was In 1876. Three years later my
mother and left Bergen in a sailing
ship. We were $45 in debt when we
reached New York. and had no property
except that which we carried in our
hands and on our backs. Chicago was
our destination. because my mothers
brother lived there.
I'VE went up the Hudson TO Albany,
then through the Erie Canal 10 Buffalo,
and thence over the Great Lakes in a
shabby side-wheeler. Chicago at that
time was hardly more than big town
in a vast swamp. Soon after going to
live with my uncle. his wife and his
TWO children and myself were taken with
cholera My aunt and cousins died, and
of the four persons sick in the house at
the same time was the only one to get
well. on my recovery attended school,
learning the English language so easily
that I have no recollection OF studying it
at all"
However" ventured to say. you
remember your native tongue, and often
use 1t on the stump"
Speaks Language of Peasants.
7 have never made a Norwegian
speech in my life" Senator Nelson an
swered, II can only speak the language
OF the peasants. and would make a bad
figure were I to stand up and try &c
talk; but I can read the best literature
and understand It Occasionally I receive
a letter that must be answered in Nor
wegian, but I think it out in English
and write 1t down with considerable diff
Guilty. While governor OF Minnesota
made it practice to reply TO every let
ter in English. I was the chief execu.
tice of an American State, and though
1t unbecoming TO carry on official CORE
spondence In a foreign language. It is
sometimes said that I have been elected
10 Office by the Norwegian vote. Quit
10 the contrary, I have been successful