San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-20
Ralston Looks Like Democratic Compromise
By HARRY b. HUNT

washington, IL. u, April l.-Spec-
tators in the Senate galleries, peerins
over into the pit, where the lions of
upper house fight their battles over
patronage and politics, give little heed
as rule, to the bulky but otherwise
unimposing figure occupying the third
seat from the left, second row, on
the Democratic side.
Yet this member, who strikes no
statesmanesque poses for the spec
tators' benefit, is regarded by many
in inside political circles as the best
bet for the Democratic presidential
nomination.
His name is Ralston-Samuel
Moffett Ralston. His home-Indian-
apolis, Indiana. His history-farmer,
lawyer, governor, senator.
Ralston's strength as presi-
Dental possibility lies chiefly in two
things: IS
1. He is pivotal man from 4
pivotal state. Indiana's 10 electoral
votes are mighty important. Only
seven state have larger representa-
ton in the electoral college.
2. His lack Of enemies within his
own party is big factor of his
strength. The man who walks off
with the Democratic nomination
will get it as the result of a COM
promise.
A Second Cleveland"
Ralston's hackers tell how, as
governor of Indiana, he wiped out the
states public. debt. They recite his
deep reverence for fundamental Demo-
cratic doctrine, his hostility to pro-
tective tariffs and his theories of tax
alton.
Old-timers see in Ralston a second
Grover Cleveland. Physically, at
least, the likeness is striking.
Ralston is n big bulk of a man,
Slightly stopped under the weight of
his 25O-odd pounds. His short
mustache is almost gray, but his hair,
now scanty on top, is a dusty mouse
brown. He wears the long. full-skirt-
ed cutaway coat of the midwest pro-
ftssional man, low collar, black string
tie, and soft, broad-brimmed black hat
Ralston is the oldest of the years
presidential possibilities. He will be
~ on December /.
Once Miner.
His great,grandfather, Andrew
Ralston, came to America. from Scot
land, settled in Pennsylvania and
fought as a rifleman in George WASH
ington's army. His grandfather,
John Ralston, moved west from Penn
sylvania to Ohio. His migration west
ward to Indiana, but not until Samuel
Moffett, who was born in Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, was years old.
As a boy. Sam Ralston helped
open one of the first coal mines near
Brazil, Ind. Then he worked with his
father on farm near Indianapolis.
After graduation from district
school, he taught and studied alter
at Central Indiana Normal College.
Then he got chance to "read law
with firm in Spencer. Ind. He was
almost 30 when admitted to the bar,
in 1856, and settled down" to prac-
tice law at Lebanon.
HOOsier Governor.
Ralston was put across for COVER
nor by the Democrats in 1912. large
ly on the homely claim that He can
be trusted" There was little or no
political claim for his advancement.
But his reputation for fairness and
squareness among his neighbors
put him over.
Following his governorship, Raj
ston organized law practice in In
and bought a suburban
home in the outskirts of the state cap
ital. He doesn't like life in a big
city. He likes elbow room" around
him, a garden and flowers, some
chickens and "neighbors.
Ralston's first wife, Mary Backus
Of Connersville, Ind, whom he mar
ried the day after Christmas, 1856,
lived only six months. Eight
Craven of Center Valley. Ind. They
have three children, two sons and one
daughter.
AS Indiana's "favorite son" for
the presidency, Ralston has the
backing of astute political managers,
including former Senator Tom Tag
CART.
IL he losses the nomination. or win
ming it, is defeated in November, Sam
Ralston will know no vain regrets.
For the office has little lure for him.
He'll run only if his party drafts
him.