Crittenden record-press., 1911-07-13

Morrill,, of Vermont, and William B.
Allison, of Iowa. added luster and dig
nifty to the Senate when past 80. With
in few months DR.. James B. Angel,
when past 80, retired from the presi-
dency of the famous University of
Michigan, after service of nearly
forty years, and Mathew H. Buckham,
president of the University of Ver-
mont, was still vigorous and active at
the time of his death, though nearly
so. Instances of great mental vigor
at an advanced age might be multipli-
ed by dozens and by scores, but these
will suffice to show that many men
are capable of great feats of mental
power between 70 and 80 years of age.
While not a politician, am greatly
interested in the good government of
the State. In addressing this letter to
you and through you to the people of
Kentucky do not wish to be UNDER
stood as disparaging the claims or the
abilities of any candidate for the office
of governor. wish only to record my
estimate of the one whom prefer.
Few men have had experience so
wide and so varied in the management
of public affairs as James B. McCraery.
He has been before the public more
than forty years of continuous service
in the field, in the halls of legislation
and in executive duties. He made an
excellent record as a gallant soldier
and a capable officer. During the try
ing ordeal of the Civil War he evaded
no duty and qualed before no danger.
After his return to private life he
represented his constituency in three
successive national Democratic con-
ventions. He represented his county
in three successive sessions of the
State Legislature, during the last of
which he was Speaker of the House.
He represented his district in Con-
gress for six successive terms, namely
1885 to 1897, and represented Ken
lucky in the Senate of the United
States from 1903 to 1909. From 1875
to 1879 he was governor of this Com
While member of Con-
gress he was appointed one of the
Commissioners of the United States to
the International Monetary Congress
at Brussels, where he maintained
with dignity and with credit the repu-
tation of his country.
From the foregoing it will be seen
that his whole life has been spent in
The public service. His experience has
been wide and varied in the field, in
he halls of legislation, State and Ma
.ional, in administrative and executive
luties, and in dealing with some of the
most difficult problems which confront
he political economist in national in
finance. No mere tyro can
,ring to the discharge of public duties
me tithe of the capacity for intelligent
work in legislative and executive du-
les. His collegiate and legal educa-
ion we'll fitted him for these manifold
md varied activities. In all of these
he has borne himself with |
conspicuous ability, fidelity, dignity
md courtesy. AS Speaker of the
House his rulings We're prompt and
AS Governor his acts were
III conceived and executed in the in
crest of the whole people of the Com
nonwealth. Partisanship was subor-
linated to the public good. In his leg
slative career in Congress, extended |
'ver period of eighteen years, every |
Measure supported and every vote
.ast was upon national and not section
Il lines. An able. upright, expert
need, clean, good man, no breath of |
SO far as | know, has ever
lttached to any of his acts, either
public or private.
If elected Governor of Kentucky, he
vii bring to the discharge of his du-