The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1911-04-04
The Birth of q Soul.


Have you ever heard the story that
Rudolph Spreckles tells at bis initl-
alton into the studyof public atiairs2
Ii ought TO be heard by every citizen
who desires TO live up to his civic
responsibilities. 1t is especially i'm
portant that young men shall hear 1t.
Mr.. Spreckles has been speaking be-
fore clubs, colleges and legislatures.
At Lincoln, Neb., he first addressed
the Commercial club, and the men,
bers crowding every foot OF space
in the banquet hall, listened with
breathless interest to the plain and
simple story Of the way in which his
own heart was reached and his man
hood stirred by the knowledge he
acquired Of crookedness in business
and municipal government. He was
then invited 10 speak before the
State Senate OF Nebraska, and in the
evening addressed a body Of stu
dents at the university. Everyone
who listened TO him went away
stronger for what he said.
Spreckles began business as a
Young man as boy, in fact-un-
der his fathers tutelage. His first
recolleetions were Of the lawless con-
duct Of rivals who were attempting
to prevent competition. Machinery
was damaged by persons obtaining
admission TO the works, and trust
ed employe was bribed to furnish
information. Later Us a director in
a local gas company in san Fran
cisco he became aware Of the indie
feasible methods that were being
employed by the company. He APP
pealed to the stockholders, reorgsn-
ICED the company and started out to
put the corporation upon an honest
business basis Then lie came into
contact with the grafters in munich.
pal life, chief among whom at that
time was Abe Ruef. lie had been
gradually becoming conscious of a
work that needed to be done, but the
final fact necessary TO arouse his
moral nature was an offer made by
Abe Ruef that involved consequences
so fend'sh that young Spreckles
burst fol,A into a reformer Il was
the birth of a soul, to borrow
phrase that has been used many
times before. lie dates his political
career from that date. Since then
he has net only spent his money bui
what is even more noteworthy, he
has risked the social ostracism which
the predatory interests are able to
visit upon those who hold virtue
above might. lie is largely respon-
sible for the shaking up in Califor.
MIA politics-a shaking that will dc
the State more good than the earth
quake did harm.
One Of the best tests Of the politi.
cal wisdom and moral courage OF
Spreckles is that he recognizes the
premiership of LaFollette among the
progressive Republicans; he appre
ciates the long and unfalterlng fight
that the Wisconsin Senator has made.
The Commoner rejoices that man
like Sprecklts has thrown the weight
Of his influence in favor Of reforms
Instead of using his wealth TO pam
per the flesh and to chloroform his
intellectual energy, he is contribu-
ting to the advancement Of political
measures which he believes to be
right. Instead Of fearing the masses,
he has wisely determined to be their
friend. He is willing to trust his
fortune to laws made by the people
The initiative and referendum and
recall have no terrors for him. He
has confidence in the patriotism and
the intelligence of the average man,
and that confidence is not misplaced.
Nebraska is better for the visit paid
by Rudolph Spreckles. May his life
be spared and his zeal be undated
until his dollars will be forgotten in
the public's admiration Of those
qualities Of head and heart that out
Il