Evening journal., 1912-06-12
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Youthful Senator Who
Fascinated President Arthur
By Holland


The most intimate friend that Cen
eral Chester A. Arthur had while
president among the entire member
ship of both Houses Of Congress was
the late Senator George G.. Vest, of
Missouri Senator Vest and President
Arthur disagreed in toto on political
subjects. their friendship was due 10
personal congeniality and to their
fondpess for fishing.
Senator Vest said President
Arthur one day. Il have just learned
that John A. Kenna who has Just been
elected to the United States Senate
from West Virginia. is not only the
youngest member OF the senate, being
only thirty-fve years Of age. but that
he is a native of Missouri, your own
state
yes. Mr.. President" Senator Vest
replied "Kenna was q Missouri boy
He enlisted in the Confederate army
when only little over fifteen years
OF age But he drfted TO West Vir-
einia, worked his way through high
school and was admitted to the bar
when only twenty-five"
II have been greatly interested in
almost fascinated by-this man.
President Arthur continued when I
came to Washington few days before
| the Inauguration Of President Garfield
] saw this young man on the floor of
! the House. Instantly he attracted my
attention There was something about
him that made me think of stephen A.
Douglas. I noticed that he had an e1-
tremely good voice for such a tumult-
uous body as the house of representa-
tives. He had such a round, chubby
face and was SO boyish-looking that
| followed him with my eyes all the
time | was in the gallery
Upon inquiry found that he was
young congressman from West Vir-
ginia Within a day or two I met
Nathan Goff, who, as you know, served
at the head Of the navy department in
the last weeks of<Hayes' administra-
tion and who also is from West Vir-
ainia asked Mr. Goff If he knew
| Congressman Kenna In reply he said
10 me that he not only knew Kenna
very we'll. but that he had very high
admiration for him and predicted that
Renna would make notable career.
| He told me that young as Kenna was
he was only a little past thirty then
and as recently as he had been ad-
mitted 10 the bar. he had already be-
come one of the leaders upon the
Democratic side Of the House.
Was he a poor boy? I asked Mr..
Gor.
Absolutely poor. said he. Before
l<enna was twelve years OF age he was
compelled 10 help his mother cultivate
her little farm. II was only few
acres. but II was all she had All that
he Is he owes TO his mother, to his
own industry and to his very great
ability
Then continued President Ar
thur, "Mr. Goff said II John kenna
had not heer a soldier in the Confed-
crate army / thing he would have as
good a chance TO become the Demo
| cratic candidate for President some
day as'anyman Of his age in the DEM
ocratic party. He has all of the quail
ties which make the great leader
personal magnetism. a wonderful gift
OF tact intense industry, and an ability
for marshallina men TO his own pur-
pose. Then. too, he comes from a
border state But. Of course, his ser
vice In the Confederate army would
make it impossible for him to receive
tho Democratic nomination for presi-
dent
Nov. Senator Vest" continued
I President Arthur this man has been
elected United States Senator, ! should
like 10 know him. And ! venture to
predict 10 you that Senator kenna
will become the leader upon the DEM
ocratic side in the Senate
"I have no doubt Of that myself,
Senator Vest replied "I1e viii have 10
wait while. but he is a born leader
Of men,
Senator Kenna died in 1892 in the
middle of his second term as United
States Senator He had already gained
a leadership. and he was marked for
supreme leadership in the Senate
when he was stricken with a fatal dis
ease.
Copyrieht. 1912. by r. J. Edwards.
All rights reserved