Through the medium of a highly successful career, Champ Clark, who has a national reputation as stump speaker and forensic orator, furnishes yet another illustration of the possibilities that lie before the young American who determines to “get there.” Mr. Clark was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, March 7, 1850. First educated in the local schools, he later studied at the Kentucky university, Bethany college and the Cincinnati law school. In order to support himself while acquiring his education, he worked as a farm hand, a clerk in a country store, an editor of a country newspaper, and finally as a lawyer. Not long after he had begun to practice law for a livelihood he commenced to take an active interest in political affairs and was at length elected city attorney of Louisiana, Mo., and later for Bowling Green, Mo. He has served as prosecuting attorney of Pike county, and since 1893, has been a member of congress from the Ninth Missouri district. Mr. Clark’s eloquence, apart from his other notable qualities, makes him a prominent figure in congressional affairs. WILLIAM BOURKE COCKRAN. W. B. Cockran, the well-known lawyer and politician, who is also one of the most popular orators before the public, was born in Ireland, February 28, 1854. He was educated in that country, and later in France. When he landed in New York in 1871, he knew no one in America and had exactly one hundred dollars in his wallet. But he was well educated, of marked ability, and ambitious to the highest degree. Failing to secure something better, he became clerk in A. T. Stewart’s store. A month later, however, he obtained a position as teacher in a public school on Rutgers street, where he taught French, Latin and history. Still later he accepted an appointment as principal in a public school in Westchester. But at this period Mr. Cockran had mapped out his future. He had determined to become a lawyer, and when on Saturdays his time was his own, he studied law in the office of the late Chauncey Schaffer. Saving some money, he resigned as school principal, and for nearly a year did nothing but read. In 1890 he was admitted to the bar of New York. His rise thenceforward was rapid. Very soon he became known as a man of great ability as an advocate and of supreme eloquence as a speaker. It was not long before he had a lucrative practice, and took a foremost place among the best lawyers of the metropolis. In the meantime his repute as an orator had attracted the attention of democratic leaders, and hence it was that Mr. Cockran was in demand at national democratic conventions and “on the stump.” He was elected member of congress in 1891, serving in that capacity until 1895. In 1896, however, he refused to accept the 16 to 1 theory of the Democratic party and did his utmost to elect McKinley. Some will call Mr. Cockran a fortunate man, but as a matter of fact his fortune, professional and financial, is the outcome of his persistent industry and sincerity.