The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-13

Washington, August 12.-(Speclal)-Iher
are many interesting men in the House
of Representatives. One is Champ Clark,
glum and gruff, sombre and taciturn. An
other is Uncle Joe Cannon, of vinegar
aspect, but with the cocky, little cheroot
with which his face is constantly
adorned, picturesque to a remarkable de-
gree. Another still is Jim Mann, the
republican leader. who has the distinc-
ton of being able to ascend higher, on
one occasion, and descend lower on the
next than any other member who sits
beneath the flag.
1t is not true however, that the names
with which the newspapers each day are
filed belong to the most interesting men,
or to the men better equipped for the
service of their country. Leadership in
Congress-it Is painful to admits de-
pendent on length of service. The man
with the biggest brain may serve several
terms and never attract attention; or the
man possessed of traits which impel 9TH
ers to follow him, may never have an
opportunity to fully exercise those traits.
LOOK BEYOND NEWSPAPERS
SO if one would write of interesting
members of Congress, he must depend on
his own industry and ingenuity in find
ing his material. He can't follow the
newspapers. For perhaps the individual
regarding whom the newspapers talk is a
beef packer who has served long and
made millions-or some other specimen OF
humanity entirely lacking in the graces
which go to make a man; and in the
manner and mind, hand and heart of the
real fellow with whom one is fond Of
being.
One of these interesting members who
has not yet served long enough to at
tain leadership is Sam Nichols of South
Carolina. His parents christened MN.
Samuel Jones Nichols, but the fellows
call him Sam. This is his first term.
The indications are, however, that he will
be in Congress for many, many years-for
South Carolina, If it remains true to its
historic prediction in recognizing and
rewarding merit, in standing by right ir-
respective of the opinion of others, in
doing that which will rebound to its own
credit, will require the speaker to swear
in young Nichols every second year
henceforth.
ALABAMA'S CLAIM ON HIM
There is reason why an Alabama
newspaper-or the newspaper of any
other state-should print a little story
about Sam Nichols. In the first place,
he is the youngest member of Congress
In the second place, he is perhaps the
most distinctivelY southern member of
Congress. And he has friends and rela-
tives throughout Dixie. In his relation
ship to the Crook family of Admission
he is part Albanian. In the fact that
his uncle is DR.. Nichols of Tuscaloosa,
he has claim on the affection of the ma
jority of Alabamians who are and have
been students of the university. For
there are very few young men in Ala
bama who do not recall the fact that the
old doctor would willingly excuse the
boys from recitations provided they
would swallow, in his presence, his ia
vorite prescription of castor Oil.
From the standpoint of years. young
Nichols is quite a phenomenon. He was
admitted to the bar in 1906. A year later
he was elected city attorney of Spartan
burg county. In the same year, he was
elected a member of the legislature, and
at the age of 27, served on the bench Of
the supreme court of South Carolina. AT
81, he Is a member of Congressman no
other member is so young.
In less than a years service, he has
attracted attention. AS a recognition of
his worth, he was made member of the
military committee in the very moment
when that committee was confronted by
the big problem Of preparing the nation
for defense. And then with the eloquence
and logic of the southerner Of the old
school, he presented to the House, the
child labor bill-in a new manner and a
new light. And then it began to dawn
on older members that the youngest
member was making friends-that, as