[ACKNOWLEDGMENTS]
[INTRODUCTION]
[CONTENTS]
THE LIFE OF
JOHN WORTH KERN
The Life
of
John Worth Kern
By
CLAUDE G. BOWERS
INDIANAPOLIS
THE HOLLENBECK PRESS
1918
Copyright Nineteen Hundred Eighteen
By Claude G. Bowers
Fort Wayne, Ind
DEDICATED
TO
JOHN WORTH KERN, Jr.
AND
WILLIAM COOPER KERN
“It is fine to feel that one’s boy may become a great man; but I would rather that my boys should be good without being great, than to be great without being good.”—Senator Kern.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
IN the preparation of this biography, in the midst of the duties of an exacting profession, I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Vice-President Marshall, Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo, Secretary William B. Wilson, William Jennings Bryan, Judge Alton B. Parker of New York, Senator Saulsbury of Delaware, Senator Kenyon of Iowa, Senator Lea of Tennessee, Senator Thomas of Colorado, Senator O’Gorman of New York, Senator Taggart of Indiana, Leon O. Bailey of New York, “Mother” Jones, Andrew Furseth the Emancipator of the Seamen, Jackson Morrow of Kokomo, Indiana, John Callan O’Laughlin of Chicago, Louis Ludlow of Washington, D. C., Thomas Shipp of Washington, D. C., W. H. Blodgett and Kin Hubbard of the Indianapolis News, for data, verifications and reminiscences.
And I am under the deepest obligations to Robert E. Springsteen of Indianapolis, and Howard Roosa, editor of the Evansville Courier, for services too numerous to mention.
INTRODUCTION
Vice-President’s Chamber,
Washington, D. C.
Because carping Pilot asked “What is truth” and did not stay for an answer, the world has thought that question to be the one unsolved riddle. Yet there are many other attributes to which answers have been given that are almost, if not altogether, as great riddles.
What constitutes greatness has received as many answers as there have been men to express them. It all depends upon the mental process of a man as to whether his fellow man has attained unto greatness. The paladin of finance would consider it a joke to be told that an Egyptologist was a great man; the doer of deeds can never think of greatness as an attribute to the dreamer of dreams; and thus it is that the estimate by one man of another will only pass current with those of like mind.
For me, it has been needful that brain and heart should work in unison in the life of a man in order to render his story worthy of being embalmed in a biography. Mere intellect is not sufficient; mere emotion unsatisfactory. For thirty years I knew all about and I also knew John Worth Kern. Heaven molded him with a clear and analytic mind—a mind capable of grasping and elucidating the great problems of state—and then Heaven further endowed him with a tender and loving heart, so that much as he believed in the principles for which he stood and the faith which he avowed, he had that large-hearted and generous judgment of his fellow men which mark, to my mind, true greatness.
It is the measure of a little man to be cocksure, to be eternally and everlastingly right, to be quite certain that Jehovah gave into his hands all knowledge, all goodness and all power. It is the measure of a really great man to walk with certainty and yet to walk humbly in his public life, granting to other men the right to think, to speak, to act freely.
This was the grade of man John Worth Kern was. He showed it in his brilliant services at the bar, in his forceful presentation of his party’s principles on the stump and in that kindly, loveable leadership which, when he left the Senate of the United States, made it the supreme desire of political friend and foe alike to do something for him as the shadows of night began to gather around his head. To my mind he was one of Indiana’s great and illustrious citizens whose life, when read by the schoolboy of to-day, will help to sweeten, glorify and adorn the public service of to-morrow.
It were impious here to speak of his beautiful home life. He was great in the counsels of his party but in his home he transcended the common mortal and became a demigod of love and good will. The Indianian will know him and love him even more, if possible, when this biography is read and it is remembered that it is the free-will offering of a man who saw our dear, dead statesman and citizen in his hours of exultation, in his moments of depression, when his soul was bare to the inspection of a man who knew when he saw what he saw.
CONTENTS
| [I—Childhood and Early Youth] | [1] |
| The wilderness physician—Alto—Birth of Kern—Playing doctor—Life in Iowa—The partisan of 1860—Kokomo Academy—The equestrian orator—The pedagogue—Alto society—A temperance speech—The actor in “The Demon of the Glass”—The boy orator—Ann Arbor days—Letters to Morrow—Visit to Canada—The slate-maker of 1868—Views on Indiana politics—Hears Gough, Philips and Whipple—Work in the Douglas Society—His reconstruction views—Hears Zack Chandler—His thesis—Graduation—Taken for a maniac. | |
| [II—Kokomo Days—Lawyer and Citizen] | [27] |
| “Tipton no place for a LL. D.”—Opens office in Kokomo—Anna Hazzard calls—Prospects—Office loafers—The “boys”—His popularity—Considered a genius—C. C. Shirley’s recollections—Eloquence before juries—Pranks in court—Buys a $30 cake—Marriage—Takes first rank as criminal lawyer—Battle with Hendricks and Gordon—Hendricks predicts brilliant future—The Hawkins case—Court battle with Voorhees—Voorhees’ tribute—The Kokomo of the seventies—The community orator. | |
| [III—As Democratic Leader in Howard, 1870-1884] | [47] |
| County convention of 1870—Kern writes resolutions—Nominated at twenty for legislature—Brilliant campaign—Pays election bet—Helps establish Democratic paper—Writes for papers—Democratic convention of 1872—Establishes a Greeley paper—Rides in political processions—Makes reform fight in 1874—The McGill machine—Active in ’76—His keynote—Addresses “hack drivers on Indiana avenue”—Phillipic against Worden—His regrets—Opposed to Tilden’s nomination—“I’m a liar”—Attacked in the press—A Scurrilous story—Campaign of ’82—His views on money in elections—The faith of his followers. | |
| [IV—Reporter of the Supreme Court, 1884-1889] | [68] |
| Seeks nomination for reporter of Supreme Court—The great convention of ’84—Nominated—A spirited campaign—Wins state reputation—Challenges Holstein to debate—Considered gubernatorial timber—Recollections of his campaign of ’84—His retorts—Evenings with ballads—Work as reporter—Joke on Judge Niblack—Extends acquaintance—A day of conviviality—Defeated in 1888—Marriage to Miss Cooper—The Indianapolis lawyer. | |
| [V—Leader in the Indiana Senate, ’93 and ’95] | [88] |
| Elected to state senate—Conceded leadership—His appearance—Nominated Turpie—Espouses an unpopular cause—Relations with labor organizations—Leads fight to legalize unions—His speech for Deery bill—Attracts national notice—Unpopularity of labor—Leads senate fight for employers’ liability law—Dramatic incidents—A signal triumph—Fights for child labor law—Leads minority in 1895—Fights Republican gerrymander—Excoriates Republican legislative record—The Nicholson law—Kern’s part—Estimate of colleague. | |
| [VI—Europe and the Campaign of ’96] | [114] |
| Rest in Europe—Meets Alton B. Parker—General Collins—Paris days with Morss—The silver pre-convention debate—The English opera house meeting—Kern’s speech—The convention—Kern enters campaign—Effect of developments on him. | |
| [VII—Gubernatorial Battles] | [126] |
| Political conditions in 1900—Kern declines to run for governor—The Morss dinner—Accepts at midnight—Frank B. Burke—Kern nominated—The campaign—Defeat—Speech at Bryan birthday dinner—Recognized as Bryan’s Indiana lieutenant—Keynote speech in 1902—The battle of 1904—Kern supports Parker—Refuses nomination for governor—Consents on plea of Parker—Parker’s verification—Defeat. | |
| [VIII—Europe and Asheville: An Interlude] | [144] |
| Europe for rest—Green Smith—Incongruous tourists—Joke on Smith—Catches cold in campaign of 1906—Forced to Asheville—Life there—Letters to John, Jr.—Recovers. | |
| [IX—Running With Bryan] | [156] |
| Kern and the vice-presidency—Pleads poverty—Bryan offers room in White House—Letter to Indianapolis News—En route to Denver—With Bryan at Lincoln—Vice-presidency not discussed—Discussed in Denver—Boom dinner at the Savoy—Kern’s silence—Indiana delegation organizes to push him—His only words to delegation—Selected by the leaders—Marshall’s nominating speech—Nominated—Hero of the hour—Stops at Lincoln—Town “Kern-mad”—Meets with Bryan and the committee—Publicity of contributions before elections—Embarrassment in the enemy’s camp—Reaches home—Non-partisan reception—Kern’s speech—Tribute of Kokomo—At Bryan notification meeting—Kern notified—His southern tour—Meets Sherman at Chicago—John, Jr., stricken—Kern’s eastern tour—John, Jr., worse—Cancels dates—Indiana tour—Election night—Kern’s affection for Sherman. | |
| [X—Battle for the Senate] | [188] |
| Kern announces candidacy for senate—Opposed by the breweries—The other candidates—Lamb’s warning against secret ballot—Scenes at the Denison—At the state house—Analysis of vote—Defeated—Alibis—The famous Morrow interview—Convention of 1910—“The Governor’s Plan”—The fight—Kern’s attempt to refuse the nomination—Meredith Nicholson’s comment—Nominated—Beveridge’s position—Kern’s keynote—Views on the speech—Fight for progressive Democrat votes—Kern’s attacks—“Mary of the vine-clad cottage”—Roosevelt, Bryan and Parker—Victory. | |
| [XI—Kern’s First Congress] | [209] |
| Demoralization of Republicans in congress—New Democratic senators—Their progressive trend—They rally about Kern—Kern leads fight for reorganization—Nominates Shively for leader—Named on Steering committee—On Finance committee—Favors Shively for the place—Relations with Shively—A famous pension speech—Canadian reciprocity—The “Farmer’s lobby”—The Lawrence strike—Position in Stephenson case—The Archibald impeachment. | |
| [XII—Kern’s Fight Against Lorimerism] | [226] |
| The Lorimer election—His vindication—A new investigation—Kern on committee—Scenes at the hearings—The sinister atmosphere—The committee division—Lea and Kenyon—Affectionate relations of the three—Kern’s base of operations—Scurrilous letters—Kern’s cross-examination—The Blumenberg incident—The girl telegrapher—Attempts to postpone committee report—Kern’s insistence—The committee fight—The minority report—Kern the dominating figure—Kenyon’s estimate—Lea’s—John Callan O’Loughlin—Kern’s speech—Challenges Lorimer’s supporters—Lorimer attacks Kern—Why Kern did not reply—Lorimer expelled. | |
| [XIII—Kern’s Position at the Baltimore Convention] | [252] |
| Kern hears of fight on Parker—His embarrassment—Refuses temporary chairmanship—Bryan’s reasons for not being a candidate—Bryan decides on Kern—Efforts to dissuade Bryan—Bryan’s testimony on the subject—A sleepless night—Kern plans his appeal to Parker—Tells Mrs. Kern—The convention scene—Bryan nominates Kern—Kern’s dramatic appeal—The effect on the public—A surprise to Bryan—Bryan’s delight—His description of Kern’s speech—Kern chairman Platform committee—Kern the dark horse—His pre-convention attitude—Bryan’s knowledge of his embarrassment—“Testing sentiment for Kern”—“Wilson or Kern”—Luke Lea—Kern loyal to Marshall—Important states ready to go to Kern—If Kern had given consent—Reasons for refusal—Bryan’s attitude—Kern’s influence on result. | |
| [XIV—Election to Leadership of the Senate] | [282] |
| A Democratic senate—The grave responsibility—Ugly memories—New Democratic senators—Reorganization movement—Kern absent from conferences—A telegram—Conferences at Luke Lea’s home—Kern chosen by progressives for leader—His special qualifications—Elected unanimously—His conciliatory policy—Revolution in committees—Changes in rules—The country’s interpretation of the revolution. | |
| [XV—Kern’s Fight Against Feudalism in West Virginia] | [296] |
| Feudalism in West Virginia coal fields—The system—The horrors of Cabin Creek—Reign of the gun-men—War of 1912—Unionism outlawed—Ernest Gaujot the King Guard—Outrages on women and children—“I don’t hear my baby calling me now”—Battle of Mucklow—Mother Jones—Leads miners to governor—Gun-men must go—Mother Jones organizes men—Governor appoints investigating committee—Its report—Armored train shoots up miner’s camp—Murder of Estep—Martial law—Mother Jones arrested—System enforces silence—The public wonders—Mrs. Freemont Older—Magazine exposes—Constitutional rights denied—Civil courts ignored—Mockery of trials—Kern presents resolution—Powerful interests alarmed—Pressure on Kern—Sinister fight on resolution—Kern hears from people—Mrs. Older sees him—“Will see you in hell first”—Bitter attack on Kern—Mother Jones smuggles telegram to him—A dramatic incident—Effect of telegram—Mother Jones released—Goes to Washington—Her work there—Kern’s first speech—Demands light—Kern’s second speech—Warns of social injustice—States rights—Wins the fight—Result of investigation. | |
| [XVI—Senatorial Battles for Social Justice] | [328] |
| Industrial Relations Commission—Kern’s interest—Attempt to cut its appropriation—Kern’s successful protest—The Seamen’s bill—Slavery of the sea—Andrew Furseth—His appeal to Kern—Kern’s attitude—Accompanies Furseth to the president—Furseth’s anniversary letter to Kern—The Kern Workman’s Compensation Act—The Child Labor Bill—Kern’s part—His fight in caucus—Vardaman drops the curtain—Kern leads fight in senate—Excoriates a preacher—His effective use of President Eliot’s letter. | |
| [XVII—In the Role of Senate Leader] | [349] |
| Responsibility of leadership—On guard—Conciliation—The absentees—A jocular rebuke—Threatens slacker with denunciation—Summer of 1914—Temper of congress—Work in caucus and conferences—The one revolt—Smokes Penrose out—The president’s program—Kern’s tact and temper—Why he did not speak—Relations with the president—Opinion of him—Night conference in capitol basement—Strike conference in Kern’s room—Letter to Mrs. Kern—Concern over international situation—White House conference on Germany—Relations with Bryan, McAdoo, Daniels and Wilson—Opinion of Lane—Estimates of Senators Thomas, O’Gorman and Saulsbury—Relations with Republicans. | |
| [XVIII—The Last Battle] | [377] |
| Indiana campaign of 1916—Comedy and tragedy—Blunders of national leaders—Lack of money and organization—Speakers refused—Kern’s advice ignored—His plan—His illness—Handicaps of campaign—Mother Jones reports—Last campaign speech—Philosophical in defeat. | |
| [XIX—The Closing of a Career] | [389] |
| Last session—Retains leadership—Failing health—Shadows of war—Kern’s distress—The President’s senate speech—Kern delighted—On arming merchant ships—Kern’s valedictorian—Henry Cabot Lodge’s response—Hoke Smith’s—Watson’s—Stone’s—Thomas’—Testimonial of Democratic senators—Vice-president’s note. | |
| [XX—The Real Kern: A Composite Portrait] | [403] |
| The Kern of the closet—Solving problems in solitude—Powers of concentration—Patience—Patience under attack—Tireless letter writer—Art of his letters—Manner of preparing speeches—Religious nature—Rebukes a minister—Letter on death of a child—Personal appearance—The companion—Reminiscences and stories of Henry Barnhart, Ludlow and Blodgett—Leon Bailey’s picture. | |
| [XXI—At Kerncliffe] | [453] |
| Kerncliffe—Mrs. Strauss on “The House that Araminta Built”—Kern’s hope for rest—Failing health—At Asheville—Lecture tour—Breakdown—Ordered back to Asheville—Letters to sons—Last days—Death—The burial at Kerncliffe—Memorial meeting at Indianapolis—Senate action—Secretary of Labor Wilson’s tribute. |