Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1911-03-17
The Birth of a Soul

ilG vi II NOuI
Have you ever heard the story that
Rudolph Spreckles tells of his intia-
tion into the study of public affairs?
1t ought to be heard by every citizen
who desires to live up to his civic re-
sponsibilities. 1t is especially import
ant that young men shall hear it, Mr..
Spreckles has been speaking before
clusb, colleges and legislatures. At
Lincoln, Neb., he first addressed the
Commercial Gu, and the members
crowded every foot of space in the
banquet hall, listening with breath
less interest to the plain and simple
story of the way in which his own
heart was reached and his manhood
stirred by the knowledge he acquired
of crookendness in business and mu-
nicipal government. He was the in
vited to speak before the State Sem
ate of Nebraska, and in the evening
addressed a body of students at the
university. Every one who listened to
him went away stronger for what he
said.
Spreckles began business as a young
man-as boy, in fact-under his
fathers tutelage. His first recollec-
tions were of the lawless conduct of
rivals who were attempting to pre-
vent competition. Machinery was
damaged by persons obtaining admis-
sion to the works, and trusted en-
ploye was bribed to furnish informa-
ton. Later as director in local
gas company in San Francisco he
became aware of the indefensible
methods that were being employed by
the company. He appealed to the
stockholders, reorganized the compa-
ny and started out to put the corpor-
alton upon an honest business basis.
Then he came into contact with the
grafters in municipal life, chief
among whom at that time was Abe
Reuf. He had been gradually becom-
ing conscious of work that needed
to be done, but the final fact necessa-
ry to arouse his moral nature was an
offer made by Abe Reuf that involved
consequences so fiendish that young
Spreckles burst forth into a reformer.
1t was the birth of a soul, to borrow
a phrase that has been used many
times before. lie dates his political
career from that date. Since then he
has not only spent his money but
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. He is largely responsible for
the waking up in California politics.
shaking that will do the State more
good than the earthquake did harm.
One of the best tests of the poiti-
cal wisdom and moral courage of
Spreckles is that he recognizes the
premiership of LaFollette among the
progressive republicans; he appreci.
ates the long and unfaltering fight
that the Wisconsin senator has made.
The Commoner rejoices that man
like Spreckles has thrown his weight
of infiuecne in favor of reforms. In
instead of using his wealth to pamper
the flesh and to chloroform his intel
lectual energy, he is contributing to
the advancement of political measures
which he believes to be right. In
stead 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 mia
tive and referendum and the recall
have no terrors for him. He has con-
fidence in the patriotism and the in
telligence of the average man, and
that confidence is not misplaced. Ne
braska is better for the visit paid by
Rudolph Spreckles. May his life be
spared and his zeal be undated un-
til his dollars will be forgotten in the
pubilc's admiration of those qualities
of head and heart that outshine mon.
ey metals. The Commoner.