Evening star., 1931-04-10
Nicholas Longworth.

worth takes from the House of Repre-
sentatives Its most colorful, dominant
and best loved figure. His record Of
service in the National Legislature is
long and brilliant and constructive. For
the last three Congresses Mr.. Long
worth served as Speaker of the House.
He was no mere figurehead. He was a
directing force, respected and regarded
with affection, but nevertheless q posi-
tive force
Mr.. Longworth presented two sides to
the world On the one side he was
revealed as the genial. rather easy
going and altogether delightful COM
panion; a musician Of real ability, an
inimitable raconteur. On the other
side he appeared the indefatigable
worker, throwing himself into the bust
ness of the House Q" Representatives
He worked intellisW well as hard
He paid attention - ais duties as a
member Of Congress, and he rose to his
position not because Of favor, but be-
cause Of diligence and merit.
Because of his geniality, his pleasant
manner and his power to amuse, the
Speaker endeared himself to many Of
his colleagues as well as to his constitu-
ents. But those qualities alone would
not have won for him the high place,
the respect and confidence Of the mem
bers Of the House which were his. He
had judgment. he had tact and he had
courage. When Speaker Longworth
reached q decision, It was based on
sound foundation, and he did not
change
One of his characteristics was loyalty.
He was loyal to his friends. to his party
and to his leaders. It was this loyalty to
party which kept him regular" in 1912
when his famous father-in-law, the late
President Theodore Roosevelt, headed
the Bull Moose party in opposition to
the Republican candidate for President,
the late Chief Justice William Howard
Taft. In that congressional election Mr..
Longworth was defeated, making q
break in his long service as q member
Of the House. Two years later, however,
he was reelected and continued q mem
Der of the House until his death.
Although Speaker Longworth had
the devoted support Of the poor in his
district, which included Cincinnati,
Ohio, as well Is the support Of the
wealthy, he himself was the son Of q
wealthy family. His wealth came down
to him through several generations of
Longworths. In spite Of this inherited
wealth Mr.. Longworth decided early to
enter politics. His first job was mem
bership In the Cincinnati School Board.
In rapid succession he was elected q
member of the State House Of Repre-
sentatives, . member Of the State Sen
ate. and In 1902 he was elected to Con-
gress as the Representative of the Nrst
Ohio district.
When in 1905 Mr. Longworth married
Miss Alice Roosevelt, daughter OF the
President. some fear was expressed lest
he might be 50 far overshadowed in
public life by his distinguished father
tn-law that he might thenceforth
merely be known as the son-in-law Of
Theodore Roosevelt There was no such
danger, however. Speaker Longworth's 3
aptitude for work in the House Of Rep
resentatives, his own ability and deter
mination to go his own way. soon dis
abused the minds of those who were
inclined TO lcok upon him merely as a
wealthy youth, pitchforked into high
position.
So strong became his position in the
House and so highly regarded was he
by bis colleagues that time and agair
Speaker Longworth was mentioned a.
. possible contender for membership ir
the Senate or for presidential honors
Eight years ago ne became Republican
floor leader and In the following Con.
RreSs he was chosen Speaker. In thu
cczning Congress he was the choice o.
the Republicans for reelection q!
Speaker. The death OF Mr.. Longwortf
brings . real loss to the Republican
party and to the country. 1t brings
real saarow to his colleagues of all par
ties and to his many friends in al
walks o. Hfe