The Benson signal., 1916-06-24
a public man; to devote his life to the
service Of his country

service of his country.
This determination came with
thrill upon reading in an English mag
azine a series of articles on the British
parliament presenting in graphic Ian
guage the dramatic scenes enacted In
the British legislature. He never for
got the picture. He hunted up every
thing in the library he could find bear
ing upon this subject and devOured 1t,
and from that day to this has never
wavered in his determination to play
an active part in the stirring scenes
on his country's political stage.
Mr.. Wilson began his preparation at
once. He subordinated his regular col
lege work to the task of fitting himr
self for public life.
He devoted all his energy and every
faculty he possessed to the furnishing
Of his mind to the end that he might
be an authority on government and the
history of government and be leader
in the affairs of his country.
No man ever subjected himself to
sterner discipline or worked more
steadfastly toward a fixed goal. He
first taught himself to write shorthand
in order that he might make rapid di-
geSts of what he read and heard. He
also practiced composition assiduOusly,
and extemporaneous speaking that he
might be skilled and ready in Offhand
debate.
Graduated With Famous Class.
T. H. t. 20 TDsnssn
ton class of 70. on whose roster were
many names destined to become more
or less famous. Among these was
Mahlon G. Pitney, who later sat on the
bench Of the United States Supreme
court.
When Mr.. Wilson left Princeton he
had come to the conclusion that the
most direct avenue into public life was
through the law. Accordingly. during
the following year he entered the Uni
versity of Virginia, becoming versed In
the rudments of the law under the
teachings Of DR.. John D. Minor.
Almost at once he became a signifi-
cant figure at the Virginia university.
He won both the "OratOrica" and
"Writing" prizes. and under the infiu-
ence of his ardent classmates of the
South he took a more active interest
in college athletics than he had taken
at Princeton, although he was never
what might be called an enthusiast In
these matters.
After two years study at the Uni
versity Of Virginia. Mr.. Wilson select
ed Atlanta as the field Of initial prac-
tice at the bar. He joined young
man named Renick. and the two went
to the Georgia capital and opened law
Offices under the firm name Of "Renick
& WILSON," Young Wilson soon dis
covered that he was sitting In at a
waiting game, and during the follow
ing year, 1888, he entered Johns Hop
kins university, studying history and
political economy under Herbert B.
Adams and Richard T. Ely.
Professor at Bryn Mawr.
His next field of activity was at
Bryn Mawr, the famous college. which
| had just been opened. But as sort
of preparation for his Bryn Mawr pro-
fessOrship he jOurneyed to Savannah,
where he married Miss Ellen Louise
| AxsOn, one of Savannah's fairest
! daughters. She died at the White
House August 6, 1914. December s,
| 1915, Mr.. Wilson married at Washing
ton Mrs. Edith Boiling Gait of that
city.
The president has three daughters.
Miss Margaret Woodrow Wilson,
Mrs. Frances BOwes Sayre and Mrs.
William Gibbs McAdoo.
| Mr.. Wilson remained at Bryn Mawr
three years teaching history and econ
Omy. His work had won him an en-
viable reputation as a college instruc-
tor. and his services were next Sc
cured by Wesleyan university. at Mid
dletown. Conn. While at Wesleyan
university Doctor Wilson published
| another book. 1.-THE State"
He again Joined his fortunes with
| Princeton when in the fall of 1890 he
took the chair of Jurisprudence and
politics at that institution. He held
| this chair at Princeton for twelve
years. writing during this period his
famous WOTk. ~ I1lSLOIy VI LHC AIuCI-
ican People"
Made President Of Princeton.
In 1902 he was called to the presi-
| dency of Princeton.
He was holding this office when the
| Democrats Of New Jersey chose him
| as their candidate for the governor
ship. He accepted. and was elected
after sharp campaign.
Within six months after assuming
the governorship he had induced the
legislature to pass series Of laws Of
the most advanced type. such as the
primary election law, the corrupt
practices act. the employers liability
act. a public utilities act. municipal
commission government law and
sterilization or anti-prOcreatfOn act.
The Wilson's in America date about
a century back. when James Wilson,
| grandfather Of the president, came
l V4A t.