PREFATORY NOTE. HE following pages have been prepared with two distinct purposes in view: first, to give a closer view of a number of distinguished contemporary Americans; and, second, to set out, in bold relief, the most important elements of success, as they are conceived and attested by these eminent personages. There is no kind of reading at the same time more stimulating, more entertaining, and more genuinely instructive than biography; especially if such biography brings us face to face with the most practical and vital problems and questions of everyday life. The material for this work has been drawn from many persons and sources. For the sketch of John D. Long, we are especially indebted to Mrs. Mary C. Robbins; for that of Cardinal Gibbons, to Rev. Charles W. Currier; for that of John W. Daniel, to Mr. E. A. Herndon; for that of Charles Emory Smith, to Mr. Clarence E. Dawson; for that of David Starr Jordan, to Prof. William J. Neidig; for that of Henry Watterson, to Mr. Ernest L. Aroni; and for that of Senator W. A. Clark, to Mr. Joaquin Miller. All sketches included, indeed, have been prepared by unusually capable writers. The instructive discussions of the various elements of success are almost as diverse in authorship as the biographies, although the veteran author, Mr. William M. Thayer, has been the largest contributor. It is earnestly hoped that this combination of living careers, coupled with wise and instructive counsel, may especially appeal to the youth of both sexes as well as to many others older in years. CONTENTS. On Success-Sketch of his Life A Leader from Youth - From Weakling to Athlete Enters Public Life Career in the Assem- bly - Combined Writing with Hunting - Efforts to Reform Gotham In the Navy Department - Leader of Rough Riders — The First His Definition of Success - Boyhood School Days College Career In Prize Contests - First Political Meeting -The Young Places Emphasis on Persevering Effort Entrance into Political Life A Virginia Campaign - Elected to Congress - In the United States Senate As an Orator-Mental Characteristics - The Key to his Success - A Typical American - Parentage - Leaves College and Begins Work His Early Business Enterprises - Qualities as a Manager First Meeting with William McKinley The Expansion of his Business Interests Why he Entered Politics Later Political Career- The Campaign of 1896 - A Convention Episode - How Successes are Achieved Incidents of his Life Compared with those of the Life of Benjamin Franklin - Birthplace, Parentage and - Early Newspaper Experience — Career at Union College - His Part in the Campaign of 1860 - Becomes Editor of the Albany Express Meeting with Horace Efforts in Politics - Revolt against Machine Methods Election to Congress His Eloquent Plea on the Money Question — Leader of the Silver Republicans - Nominated for Vice-President by the Populist Convention - Appointment to the United States Senate On the Elements of Success His Birth and Ancestry — Where Educated - Admitted to the Bar Removal to Iowa Activity in Local Politics - Elected to Congress First Important Service - On what Brings Success His Early Struggles - How he Completed his College Course A Hard Worker and Brilliant Speaker in College Prepares for the Bar-His Rapid Rise as a Lawyer - Enters Public Life - Mental Characteristics Forensic Power— Career in Politics Election to the United States Senate - Philip- |