The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-29
LABOR MAN MAKES
FINE CONGRESSMAN
Started On Upward Way BY Biiiy SUM
day, Engineer Goes Through
Legislature and Into House.

Washington. p. C.. March 2s.-r
One of the interesting figures OF the
present Congress is representative
John G. Cooper OF the nineteenth
Ohio district, known as the engineer
lawmaker." because of his rise from
the position of driver of Locomotives
engine to that of legislator In the ma
tional Congress. Representative Coop-
err is, and should be. OF interest 10
the great army of prohibitionists
throughout the country because or hts
earnest and effective advocacy OF all
measures looking to the elimination
of the saloon.
Mr.. Cooper also, is an earnest ad-
vocate of the strenuous type of reit.
gious activity shown by Billy Sum
day. because he was started on his
way to prominence through these
same efforts. Mr. Cooper hit the
sawdust traiT' six years ago during
n meeting being conducted by Mr..
Sunday at youngstown. Discussing
this important step in his career, Mr..
Cooper said:
"It is not straining a point to say
owe my present position to Mr..
Sunday. never hesitate TO say
good word for Sunday when I. can
7 consider him a wonderful man, and
he Is doing a great work"
Mr.. Cooper was born in Wigan.
England. in 1872. coming 10 this
country In 1880. with his parents; He
started to work in this country at the
age OF thirteen, In a steel mill: He
had no regular schooling after that.
Later he became r. locomotive fire
man, then an engineer. His next rise
was to the State Legislature. then TO
his present position
Says 1t lasts.
Mr Cooper is one who is willing
to attest that the result Of Billy
Sundays campaigns are lasting. The
night after he left the Sunday taber-
nacle in Youngstown, Mr.. Cooper
says, he began to do some serious
thinking Sundays quick, strong
hand-grasp was in his memory. This
thinking suggested a different pro-
gram for his life. As natural re-
suit, his attention was turned to the
stirring prohibition campaign on In
Ohio. Mr.. Cooper Jumped into the
thick of the fight. Therefore. he had
been quiet, reserved young man.
who participated but little in public
affairs Now, however. he was
changed.
The zeal for prohibition which he
felt as result of his contact with
Sunday caused him to develop into
one OF the most vigorous, forcefui
and able dry leaders of his coffimu-
nifty. He made speeches all through
Mahoning County. These speeches
won him the nomination fo~ repre-
sentative in the State Legislature
from Mahoning and he was elected.
He kept on running his engine when
tho Legislature was not In session.
But his victory on a dry ticket in a
district which about one year. before
had gone wet by 1000 majorlty set
the people to thinking.
Mahoning County went dry In 1914.
and Cooper was elected to a second
term IN the Legislature. his ma iority
being $500, the largest ever given a
candidate In that district Then he
went after the Republican nominal
ton for Congress and won IL by a
majority of 5000. He was elected
and he Is making good in Washing
ton just as he made good in the state
legislature
During the recent prohibition
meetings held here in behalf OF the
Sheppard District Of Columbia. rnea-
sure. Mr.. Cooper spoke several times
IN behalf OF the Sheppard bill. and
his speeches were always effective