Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/225

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ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE
151

Soon after his election to the senate, he went to the Philippine Islands to make a personal investigation of the existing conditions there and to obtain more accurate and complete information than could otherwise be secured. He was appointed a member of the senate committee upon Philippine Affairs, in which position he has rendered to our home government and to the people of the islands valuable service. His first speech in the senate was delivered in January, 1900, and although it did not meet the views of the conservative members of his own party in congress, and was strongly opposed by the Democrats, subsequent events proved that in the main his opinions were correct; and the passage of the "Cuban and Philippine Resolutions" by both houses of congress, February' 27, 1901, sustained the position which he had taken. The demand for this speech soon exhausted the supply; and more than a year after its delivery a new edition of 50,000 copies was printed to meet the continued demand.

In the senate Mr. Beveridge is a hard worker. He is chairman of the committee on Territories, and a member of various other committees, including that on Post Offices and Post Roads. He does not speak often; but when he takes the floor he commands the close attention of the senate. He thinks quickly, speaks rapidly, is strong in argument, and skilful in debate. His voice is good, his manner is attractive, his method of presenting his case is convincing. He has many friends among his political opponents as well as in his own party. His counsel is often sought by men who have long been the recognized leaders on the Republican side of congress; and he is credited with having great influence at the White House. At home his office is so constantly visited by friends that he has but little time for the practice of his profession.

Mr. Beveridge has received the degree of LL.D. from DePauw university, from which institution he was graduated in 1884. He was married in 1887 to Katharine M. Langsdale, who greatly encouraged and wisely counselled him in his work. She died in 1900. As an author he has won wide recognition by numerous articles in the "Saturday Evening Post" and by an opportune book entitled "The Russian Advance," published in December, 1903, which records his experience in Russia during a trip to that country in 1900. In politics he has always been a Republican. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist denomination. Although he has