, 1922-01-09
THE PASSING OF PENRosE.

u.rv lessons to be drawn from the extra
ordinary career of Boies Pen;ose. In many respects
he was a strange and wonderful charneter; ane no
,vh.rs ,I.a could such a chaISeter be developed eN-
cent in America. He was essentially a proouel . Hs
time In which he lived carried forward into a perog
which reuudiated his methods yet tolerated tnem w
n.-ni,tsd him TO exercise them. 1t is really worth
While 10 note the characteristics of this man wno az
tanned such influence and leadership IN the nauon.
In his youth Penrose took the world IN seneia, q ~
his own work in particular. seriously. AS a student III
both elementary and secondary schools he WORKED haru'
and stood near the head of his class wnen ne was
graduated from Harvard. This could not nave pe e
s.b;sved without personal effort and self-denial. TO
1e.rninv there is no royal road-ahke the peer ana
peasant must climb 10 her abode:
Having completed a course in law, Penrose cnose
rrbIic life as a career and entered upon that with the
same concentration he practiced in his studies at col
lege. Elected to the Pennsylvania mouse o reprsse"
tatives at the age Of "a he served SO aeeep.aoiy snss
after two years he was eiecteo ee s~"
where he served ten years.
while still a member of the state senate, he was
elected to the United States senate, beginning ms serV-
ice in the latter body in 1897. His death a rev Gays
aro closed a life Of 81 years in the public service
ali in elective Offices. During this period ne fouho
time to serve bis party as chairman OF the state conf
n,ittee two years, as a member of the natonai COM
mittee 10 years, and to attend and take n active a.
in four national conventions. Although physically IN
able to attend the convention of 1920, his interest IN
that important gathering was not lacking. He was IN
constant telegraphic communication with friends ~ tne
Convention hall. This indomitable spirit resulted in
his death, for in the last few months he disregarded
the advice of his physician and applied himself to mat
tiers of national legislation instead of seeking the rest
he needed.
Among the p.culiarities Of his nature may be noted
his wide reading of newspapers as a means OF ascre'
taining public opinion yet his absolute refusal to re-
MY to any newspaper criticism or Misrepresentation
Although approaching the great value Of newspapers
he never sought newspaper publicity. He engaged IN
no outdoor sports, took no physical exercise, sought
no diversion, even in the theater. In recent weeks he
had confessed that he believed his neglect of open air
exercise a mistaken policy and expressed the intention
of changing his habits as soon as he regained sufh.
Gent strength While other men found diversion and
recreation in evenings at cards or social enjoyment
Pcnrose found his diversion In the pages of his we'll
chosen books. His welLstored mind made him a ready
ard effective debater as well as an able Legislative
leader, but his concentration undoubtedly shortened
his life. He died at the age Of 81.
The public record of Penrose needs no mans com
mendation or defense. When popular election Of
senators was established Penrose and his record wert
made the issue in a state election. Penrose went or
the stump and personally presented his record be
fore the people of his state. He was reelected by
vote of two to one over his leading opponent, polling
practically as many votes as both of his opponent
combined. In 1920 he wal reelected by a plurality o
100000. After such popular ~verdicts, other com
ments are superhuous.