The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-18
Personality Of Senator John
W. Weeks, Mentioned for
Nations Highest Office
CERTAlN weekly publication recently asked "why
Weeks. anyway and then went OH 10 inquire ed.

- Nt'hN' anyway : ana tncn went on 10 inquire edl.
torialy: Are Massachusetts and New England
really interested in senator Weekss candidacy?"
The best answer to the first inquiry, his admirers say,
Is: Why not Weeks Folks in New England hold the
Junior Massachusetts Senator in very high esteem. They
regard him as a very able man and qualified in every way
10 hold the office of President of the United States. And
moreover. THE suns recent canvass shows that he is well
and favorably known throughout the country and one Of
the favorites for the Republican nomination next year.
One of the strongest arguments for Mr.. Weeks, in ad.
dillon to the fact that he is probably the foremost expert
on finance in the Senate. is that he is by early training
and continuous study thoroughly acquainted with naval
affairs, and unless the signs of the times are read wrongly,
the next man to he Chief Executive Of the United States
will he obliged to devote a considerable portion Of his
time to the marine branch Of our defences. Mr.. Weeks
Is a graduate Of the United States Naval Academy. He
had two years OF work in the navy and spent ten years
in the Massachusetts Naval Brigade. the last six Of which
we're as commanding officers. During the Spanish war he
commanded the second division Of the auxiliary warships
In answer to the second question. one can safely say
that Massachusetts is really interested in Senator weeks's
candidacy, and moreover throughout New England the
feeling is steadily growing that he can he safely entrusted
With the great problems which are bound TO arise during
the next Presidential term. 1t is not exactly the time
Of year for New Englanders and their summer visitors to
be discussing the next campaign. and Il cannot he said
that there has been any Spontaneous demand for the
nomination Of Senator Weeks as yet. His movement has
not been launched. He has not said he will allow the use
Of his name. but It is known that once he gives the word
New England will go to the national convention ready to
vote In a body for him.
John Wingate Weeks is just s5 years old, in the prime
Of nfe' a strong man mentally and physically. He is @
feet inch tall ana weials 30 pounds. He has served con.
dnuously In Congress since 1905 and since March 4. 1917.
as Senator from Massachusetts. lie is a native of Ian.
caster. n. H., the son of william n. and Mary Fowler
Weeks. and a direct descendant of Leonard Weeks. one Of
the early New Hampshire pioneers.
Leonard Weeks came from England about 1850. and
mriously enough. there is a house at Greenland. y. H..
occupied by another J. W. Weeks. that was built by one
Of the Senator's ancestors of bricks brought from England.
1t was a dwelling and fort combined and is still in a sound
and habitable condition.
The Senator's father cultivated land. but did other
things as well. He was not a lawyer. but was Judge Of
Probate for many years. and none Of his decisions was
ever reversed by a higher authority.
As a boy Mr.. Weeks worked on the farm, and Mt the age
Of 18 he gathered maple sap in the early spring, carrying
Il In buckets with a yoke over his shoulders. He studied
morning and night. and when only 10 years old was teach.
ny in the little district schoolhouse not far from his home.
He hoped to complete his education at Dartmouth Col.
fge, bnt nm accident resulted in his going to the Naval
Academy instead. This is how Mr.. Weeks happened to 60
to Annapolis, as he tells II himself:
walking three miles TO the school one morning. from
our home in the country to the village of Lancaster, I
was hailed by the Congregational minister. l wasn't ac.
quainted with him. because my parents attended another
church. His stepson had gone 10 Annapolis and had failed
IN The entrance examinations. Senator Henry ". Blair
Of New Hampshire therefore asked him to get some ono
ee. a
The principal Of the Lancaster Academy had men.
Toned me. SO far as I knew there had never been a sailor
IN ue Weeks family, and l had not thought Of the navy
d a profession. However, l went to Annapolis, was ad-
mitted and was graduated at the age OF 81"
As a cadet at the Naval Academy he could put up q
ll2 pound dumbbell with his right hand and then kneel-
Ing on one leg could lift an 81 pound dumbbell with his
Ell hand and slowly put It over his head. Another feat
consisted in heaving 100 pounds. the equivalent Of a barrel
@ hour, in the air, then lowering It to his shoulders and
men raising again, arm high. BY the standa rds Of mod
en Measurements Senator Weeks was unquestionably one
VI the strongest men in the United States at that time,
mo he still retains much of his unusual strength.
He was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1881
I'o spent two years at sea, serving on the U. $. s. Rich
'0nd' In those days there was no navy to speak Of and
more cadets were graduated ut Anna polls than were
peeded, The ten highest men in Mr.. Weekss class Of
twenty received commissions, but he was not one OF them
mo was mustered out of the service.
Ne went to Florida and did some surveying. running
ut the ines Of the old Spanish grants under contract. He
na not know anything about surveying. but needed the
Money 10 live on. Before long he was made land COM
Missioner Il the Florida Southern Railroad.
Que nc-ning while b. -3s eating breakfast with a
Nn''"nou IN Florida Mr.. Weeks was introduced to his
"I@n. ohS daughter, Miss Martha \. Sinclair, who had
~' arrived from the North. In 1851, or within a year,
"' Doe" young woman were ma FRIED.
soon TER the wedding II friend Of the young man from
V'N led Florida and Mr.. Weeks told him he meant
e''' Florida because the climate was not suited to
:" nee III If his wife. \ little later this friend wrote
81 '' ~okeragc firm of IIornllower Il Page in Boston