Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-08-27
About Larry" Stringer
tBuraio. n. Y. Daily News.)

(Bunalo, n. Y, Daily News.)
Woodrow Wilson carried Illinois for
president by a plurality OF 1850;
Larry" Stringer, at the same election
and on the same ticket, was elected
ongressman-at-large from Illinois, by
a plurality Of 101,77s.
Larry" Stringer is a queer sort OF
a name, but Larry" himself Is not a
queer sort Of fellow, although he has
had a queer sort OF record.
A friend OF his has said that he pos
sesses prominently two attributes,
namely, ability and modesty; attri-
butes often unassociated. AS for his
modesty, when asked to give some
facts to the News concerning his rec
ord, Mr.. Stringer declined on the
ground that there was really nothing
remarkable in It SO much for his
modesty.
As to his ability. the News has Sc
cured a sketch Of him from q friend;
a sketch speaking OF red blood, virility
and action; Of grim determination and
stalwart stands in defense Of high
ideals. To the two attributes men,
toned, says Mr.. Stringer's friend. can
be added a third. honesty. sterling,
every day honesty.
4 natural born orator, poetic Of i'm
ngination, generous to fault, always
sympathizing with the Under dog"
affab.e and approachable to the humb-
lest no matter what honors fall to his
lot Larry" Stringer is the same yes
terday. today and tomorrow.
Unassuming, at times even difhdent,
the crowd would pass him by unnotic-
ed. Place him on the rostrum and the
magnetism OF his personality, the elo-
quence and pathos OF his utterances
and the force OF his logic rivets atten-
ton.
lug FOR AN EDUCATION.
Silver OF tongue, he was not born
with a SILVER spoon in his mouth,
and Larry" had TO dig. and dig hard,
for an education. But he dug just the
same and got IL.
Learning the printers trade az the
age OF II. at 16 he was earning his
way through college, by setting type
at odd hours and during vacations on
local newspapers.
On commencement morning he laid
aside the printers Stick" washed his
hands OF grit and CRIME, got inside his
Sunday clothes, HE'D to the college
chapel and delivered the valedictory
Of his class. And that valedictory Is
still talked OF among the old students
and alumni OF the school.
Later, he worked his way through
the Chicago college of Law, was ad'
mitted to the bar. took the postgradu-
ate course and added an A. B. from
Lincoln college and an LIZ B. from
Lake Forest university.
While in college. his long suit was
debate and oratorical contests, and he
carried of all the medals and prizes
that were hung up in affairs OF this
kind. In the first place. It was right
along his line. In the next place. he
needed the prizes for financial rea
son.
THE hoy LEGISLATION.
AT %, they ran him for the legisla
ture. They nominated him as a dem
ocrat IN a republican district. He
didn't ask for It; they Just nominated
him. To be exact, they nominated hin
for state senator and then had to take
It back because ne wasn't old enough
The constitutional requirement wa:
rs years OF longevity, Larry" wal
only %. But they nominated him 70!
the house anyway.
When nominated he was spare o
build, weighed trifle over To-
pounds, sallow OF complexion. eada
verous Of contour and looked like
high school boy. But when he got OF
the stump. he set the prairies AIR,
and he was triumphantly elected. II
an adverse political district by an IN
precedented majority.
But he grew Il weight. considerable
In width. not much In height, but
great deal in experience and influence
Youngest member Of the legislature
he became one Of its leaders. He nd
vocated wholesome legislation. helpe'
frame and pass the Australian ballo
bill in Illinois and placed a number o
measures on the statute books in IN,
interests OF miners and laborers il
hazardous industries.
RIsKED LIFE FOR PRINcIPLE.
During his first session. there was I
senatorial contest on John n. Pa