Holbrook argus., 1912-04-16

BY LAWRENCE 3. SPRINGER. Democratic Candidate For the U. s.
 Senate From Illinois Against
 Lorlmer.
 Before meeting Gov. Wilson, was somewhat predisposed in his favor. from having read many of his produc- tions and having admired the great comprehensive grasp of economic sit nations which prevades all of his pol itical utterances and writings.
 Still while predisposed in his fa- vor, until I had personally met and conversed with him, was not con- vinced of his availability as can didate for President.
 Since meeting Gov. Wilson, how ever, all doubt in that regard, in my own mind, has been removed. Gov. Wilson is presidential timber of the exact kind and quality required at the present time. To begin with he Is an intellectual giant, with broad com prehensive grasp of every public sit uation. Throughout the east, he is universally regarded as the brainiest American living today. Even in priv ate conversation, his intellectually scintillates in every sentence he ut- ters. He has & logical and analytical mind. His language Is simple, easily understood, yet definite, incisive and convincing. He has been student of political economy since his boyhood. has written varied books upon the subject and is conceded to be the highest authority upon theories of government in the country today. While our presidents have generally been men of patriotic impulses, hon. est and conscientious, still few of them have been great intellectually. Thomas Jefferson was an exception to this rule. Woodrow Wilson, if cleo ted president, by reason of his in- stincts, characteristics, training. fear lessness, patriotism, faith in the peo- pie and extraordinary intellectually would indeed be 2 second Thomas Jefferson.
 Ideal Chief Executive of State.
 As governor of New Jersey, he has given that state a practical business administration, so conceded by all. He has shown himself to be peculiar ly fitted for the executive office along the most practical lines. In meeting him, you are impressed with this fact The schoolmaster Is not in the least in evidence. He is plain, matter of fact, and his conversation Is not pe- dantic or pedagogic, but direct, force full and earnest.
 Above all be is a man of the people. He was born with no silver spoon in his mouth. He is not man of means or wealth. He is easily approachable. No dignity hedges him about. He re- sides in very modest home at Prince ton. On knocking at his door, no ser want, liveried or otherwise, met us at the portals. It was the governor him. self who opened the door for us, well comed us in, took our hats and wraps and laid them aside, ushered us into his library. made us feel at home and talked to us neighborS who had dropped in for a casual call. There are no frills nor fure-belows about him. He is essentially Jeffersonian. AS governor of New Jersey, he has fought for the plain people and they love him. In doing so, he has anta- gonized the interests. He knows it, but doesn't care. He has faith in the people and takes them into his con- f1dence.
 Sense of Duty Supreme.
 also found him to be a man of pos itive convictions with the courage of the same. He is fearless in his ex- pressions .of opinions. If they do not agree with your opinion, he Is sorry. but he does not trim his views to con- form with yours. His sense of duty Is supreme. He would not change his views, unless convinced that he was wrong, even though 1t made him pre- sident. He is not a trimmer. He Is not politician, but Is 8 statesman, in all that word implies. He abhors machine politics and machine met.- ods. He does nothing behind closed doors. Everything with him is in the open and he has no political or public secrets. What he says to you, he is willing the world should know. He is the soul of integrity and honor and he stands today as the one great champion of progressive ideas of gov err nent in state and nation. If cleo ted president, no machine leaders, bosses or fractions will control or in- suence him. His sense of duty alone will actuate him.
 Altogether I was exceedingly we'll l--lpr, ssed with Gov. Wilson as a man, az statesman, as an executive and a5 a possible, If not probable, fll. ture president. He seems to combine in one personality, great intellectual tty. simplicity. modesty, fearlessness in the discharge of duty. sterling