Samuel Moffett Ralston

RALSTON, Samuel Moffett, a Senator from Indiana; born near Cumberland, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on December 1, 1857; attended the public schools; moved with his parents to Owen County, Ind., in 1865; taught school for several years; was graduated from the Central Normal College, Danville, Ind., in 1884; studied law; was admitted to the bar January 1, 1886, and began practice in Lebanon, Ind.; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of Cleveland and Thurman in 1888 and of Cleveland and Stevenson in 1892; president of the Lebanon School Board 1908-1911; Governor of Indiana 1913-1917; resumed the practice of law in Indianapolis; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1923, until his death near Indianapolis, Ind., October 14, 1925; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Ind.
 

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2007. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: "Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949": The Continental Congress September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788 and The Congress of the United States From the First to the Eightieth Congress March 4, 1789 to January 3, 1949, Inclusive. United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.: 1950. Page 1714.

Transcribed by: T. Stover - August 20, 2007

[Biography #2]

Hon. Samuel M. Ralston

The rise of a man from farmer boy, ox driver, coal miner, country school teacher, to the highest office within the gift of the people of a sovereign state, is an evidence of greatness --greatness of energy, of ability, of perseverance, of heart qualities and of character. Such is the life story of the subject of this sketch.

Samuel Moffett Ralston, governor of Indiana, was born on a farm near New Cumberland, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, December 1, 1857. His father, John Ralston, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Sarah Ralston, nee Scott, was born in Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, Andrew Ralston, was born in Scotland February 25, 1753, and came to this country with his parents when but a small boy. With the exception of Andrew and a sister, the entire Ralston family was massacred by the Indians in Pennsylvania. Grown to manhood, Andrew served for seven years in the Revolutionary war as a member of the Pennsylvania Rifle Regiment and was taken prisoner on Long Island August 27, 1776. When the war was over he married Sophia Waltemeyer, of Irish descent, and moved to Ohio, where they reared a family. Andrew Ralston lies buried by the side of his wife in Beech Spring cemetery, Harrison county, Ohio.

Governor Ralston came to this state with his parents in the spring of 1865, when they moved to Owen county, Indiana, where his father purchased and operated a large stock farm. In his early youth Mr. Ralston did not have an opportunity to secure an education, but early in his young manhood he realized that if he was to achieve the position in life that his ambitions sought for that he must have an education, so he applied himself until he was able to secure a license to teach school. For seven years he taught school during the winter months and attended summer school during the summer. During all this time a portion of his earnings went to the support of his parents, his father having failed financially in the panic of 1873. He attended the Northern Indiana School at Valparaiso and the Central Indiana Normal School at Danville, Indiana, graduating from the latter institution in the scientific course in August, 1884.

He studied law in the office of Robinson & Fowler at Spencer, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar January 1, 1886, and located in Lebanon, Indiana, in June of that year, for the practice of his profession. He is a lawyer of distinction, having taken part in the trials of some of the most important cases of the state. He has few equals as a cross-examiner of witnesses and is especially strong in cases involving the rules of equity or the constitutionality of statutes. In the prosecution of cases he is vigorous and is regarded by many as one of the foremost defensive criminal lawyers of the state.

He was nominated by his party for governor of Indiana in 1912, by acclamation. He is the only governor of this state since Thomas A. Hendricks to have been so honored by a political party. In the election of 1912 he carried eighty-three of the ninety-two counties and received a plurality of one hundred and nine thousand two hundred and thirty-three.

He was president of the Lebanon school board, August 1, 1908, to July 31, 1911. He was also presidential elector in 1892-3. Other than the above, he never held public office until he was inaugurated governor of Indiana on the 13th day of January, 1913.

While attending normal school at Danville, Mr. Ralston made the acquaintance of Miss Jennie Craven, of Hendricks county, Indiana, who was also preparing to teach. Common interests and a strong mutual attraction brought them closer together and resulted in an early engagement. Mrs. Ralston's many excellent qualities are obvious even to the superficial observer. Her good sense and pronounced love of simplicity, her sincerity, and devotion to principle make her the ardent supporter of all measures that contribute to domestic happiness and social well-being. During the years that Mr. Ralston studied law Miss Craven taught at Bloomington and Elletsville. In 1889 they were married and at once began housekeeping at Lebanon, where their home became known for its hospitality, amiability and cheer. The restful harmony that prevailed there from the first was felt in the entire community. The many fine qualities that endear Mr. Ralston to his clients, to his associates, and the children are most strongly in evidence at home where Mrs. Ralston spends in like measure the full force of her fine personality. As is usual in such fortunate marriages, the superior mental and moral endowments of the wife are a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to the husband. He owes much to the good sense and genuineness of her nature and above all to her high standard of masculine integrity and professional probity. These quiet years of happy domestic life have fixed in each the fundamental principles of sane, sound living. Their convictions on the sacredness of home life, and the paramount necessity of preserving such domestic ideals in high places make these two people the safest possible guardians of the first home of the state.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralston have three children, Emmet Grattan, an electrical engineer, having graduated from Purdue University; Julian Craven, a student at Indiana University, and Ruth, a pupil in Shortridge High School at Indianapolis.

Politically, Mr. Ralston has always been identified with the Democratic party. His devotion to the party of his choice is based on the careful study of Jeffersonian principles. Those who know him most intimately are unanimous in praise of his remarkable personality and declare that his sincerity and wholesome love for mankind give him a power that places him high above mere party consideration.

In proof of his political sagacity and sound judgment in the interpretation of the federal constitution it is both opportune and fitting to make some note of a speech delivered by Mr. Ralston in June, 1900, when presiding over the Democratic State convention. In that year and some years previous much has been said in advocacy of congressional legislation for the more effective control of trusts. Many Republican and a few Democratic congressmen contended that Congress has no power to control the giant combinations without a constitutional amendment. In September or October of 1900 Philander C. Knox, then a member of President McKinley's cabinet made his great speech in support of the proposition that a constitutional amendment is not necessary to enable Congress to deal successfully and efficiently with the trust question. As before stated, Mr. Ralston spoke on the same subject in June, 1900, some months before Mr. Knox. Capable judges who heard Mr. Ralston on that occasion pronounced his keynote speech the most forceful utterance his party had ever heard on a similar occasion, and on the motion of the venerable David S. Gooding, of Greenfield, the convention did the unusual thing of extending to Mr. Ralston a rising vote of thanks for his masterly effort. This terse, positive statement illustrates the force of his reasoning and the effectiveness of his judgment:

"Under the constitution given us by the fathers, this government has the power to deal effectively with anything that makes against the general welfare. If it has not this power, then it has not the power to live."

Always actively identified with the Democratic party, Mr. Ralston on several occasions has had conferred upon him nominations on his party ticket. He was his party's candidate for joint senator for Boone, Clinton and Montgomery counties in 1888, but after a brilliant race went to defeat with his party in a hopelessly Republican district. In 1896 he was nominated for secretary of state, and again in 1898, but each time suffered defeat at the polls, not by reason of personal unpopularity but because the fortunes of his party were lost in the tide of popular disfavor. In each race he made a splendid showing. In 1898 he led his ticket, carrying Boone county by over five hundred votes -- the largest plurality given there in years to any candidate on any ticket.

When Mr. Ralston was a candidate for governor in 1908 and in 1912, Boone county loyally stood back of him and enthusiastically supported him.

The first public gathering held in the new court house at Lebanon was a non-partisan meeting held by the citizens of Boone county on January 3, 1912, in the interest of Mr. Ralston's candidacy for the nomination for governor. This meeting, in size, enthusiasm and sentiment expressed, surpassed anything of the kind in the history of the county, if not of the state. All Boone county participated in that demonstration. No finer tribute could have been paid to the man and the citizen. Representatives from all ranks of society were one in their spontaneous expressions of regard. Of his qualifications for the office all were assured. His learning and versatility were repeatedly emphasized, his moral qualities as warmly commended. But best of all was the ready recognition of his kindness, of his broad charity and of his magnanimity of judgment. It is these essentially human qualities that have endeared him to his community.

More noteworthy, perhaps, than the meeting just described was the one held by the women of Boone county. Regardless of political affiliations, the women came from all parts of the county to give expression to their high regard for Mr. Ralston. The large court room in the new court house could not accommodate the audience and scores were unable to gain admittance. The women enthusiastically praised him as a citizen and a neighbor and voiced their faith in him as one able to measure up to their high standard of manhood and citizenship.

Governor Ralston's remarkable strength of body and mind, his quick and sure insight into the intricacies of civic machinery, his readiness for instant action have given him a wonderful mastery over the numerous details of his office and made him a most excellent judge of state and economic problems and singular courage and determination have marked his conduct while in office. He is absolutely fearless in the execution of measures that seem to him right and necessary. No selfish consideration can dissuade him from a judgment that he pronounces sound, that calls for prompt and efficient action.

During the session of the Legislature of 1913 a public utilities bill was before that body. While the bill was in the Senate it was the subject of many conferences and much delay was had in bringing the bill to a vote. It has been subsequently revealed that it was the plan of those opposed to the passage of the bill to delay action upon it until such a date as it would be impossible to secure the passage of a desirable utility measure. One of the means by which those opposed to the measure sought to throttle its passage was a secret caucus. Relative to the desirability of throwing the public utility measure out of caucus and putting it upon the floor of the Senate for open discussion, Governor Ralston gave out the following statement:

"I have been careful, since becoming Governor, to say and do nothing that would give any one ground for thinking I was trying, as Governor, to usurp the functions of the legislature, and I shall continue to pursue this course.

"I cannot close my eyes to the fact, however, that the legislature is nearing its constitutional time limit, and that many important bills are yet to be acted upon. One of these is the public utilities bill.

"I regret very much the seeming inability of the Senate to make proper headway with this measure. I feel certain that the majority of the Democratic Senators favor the passage of the bill. Every Democratic Senator with whom I have spoken on the subject has assured me he was in favor of a good utility law.

"In view of the fact, therefore, that the Senate is overwhelmingly Democratic, and that no Democratic Senator has declared against a utility law, and that all the minority members are giving out that they too are for such legislation, I wish the Democratic Senators who stand for the right sort of legislation on this subject would favor calling off the caucus on the Shively-Spencer bill, so that the proposed amendments to it might be fought out in the open on the floor of the Senate. The people are entitled to know where the Democratic party stands on this measure and if this bill is to be amended before its passage, so that it will be worthless as a law, or if it is to be killed, the people are entitled to know the influences that defeated the public will."

Needless to say he carried his point and secured the desired legislation.

Soon after the adjournment of the legislature he was confronted with the flood situation -- the most serious the state ever knew. He gave himself up entirely to the relief work at the sacrifice of all personal comfort and devoted himself so untiringly to the task that he was forced to spend but an inconsiderable sum of the state's money for the relief of the distressed.

Allusion has already been made to the Governor's unusual moral courage. He had ample opportunity to test it during the period of legislative activity. That he is a man possessed of real heroism, of such physical courage as makes heroes on the battle field and martyrs if need be in the forum, was strikingly illustrated during the great street-car strike of Indianapolis in October and November, 1913. It was a situation in which ordinary men would have failed in effort or shirked in duty, but Governor Ralston stood his ground and proved his mettle to the admiration of all who with feeling of intense anxiety and no little apprehension witnessed the scene. The strike had with premeditation been called on the eve of the city election in the hope of embarrassing the executive by the necessity of calling out the troops to avert riot and insurrection. The Governor had up to this time been unsuccessful in effecting an adjustment between the striking employees and the traction company. The Mayor insisted that the Governor call a special session of the Legislature and secure the passage of a compulsory arbitration law; the merchants' association and business interests demanded that the Governor call out the National Guard to establish order; the Union men protested that such an act would precipitate riot and bloodshed such as had never been seen there before. A state of riot and insurrection prevailed; the police were utterly unable to cope with the situation and many threats were made upon the life of the Governor. On the night of November 5th, the Governor called out the entire National Guard. By morning many companies were on their way to Indianapolis. The situation was tense when a meeting of the strikers and their sympathizers was called on the State House lawn at noon on November 6.

A crowd estimated as high as eight thousand gathered on the lawn at the south door of the building to protest against the calling out of the troops. They had been harangued by strike leaders. A cry was started for the Governor to address them. Contrary to the solicitous advice of friends the Governor appeared on the State House steps. An intense -- yea, ominous --silence had settled upon the crowd. The Governor delivered a masterly speech that not only allayed fear and apprehension but broke the backbone of the strike. He spoke without preparation but with profound thoughtfulness, just as the seriousness of the situation promised. In substance, Governor Ralston spoke thus:

"I appreciate more than I have the ability to express your kind invitation to have a word with you this afternoon on this serious occasion. I said to the committee that called upon me this morning representing labor, that I knew, from personal experience while making my living as a laborer, what it was to be hungry and that having had that experience, my sympathy went out to you. In making this reference to my experience, I am not begging the question. I did not beg when I was hungry and by the Eternal I shall not beg now.

"A few days ago, on the Court House grounds in this city, there assembled a large outdoor meeting of laboring people. This meeting was addressed by lawyers and ministers of this city; and I cannot express my appreciation of the resolutions passed by the laboring men there assembled to the effect that the law must be enforced and that peace must be maintained. In the course I am pursuing I am supporting those resolutions, and it is a source of great comfort and encouragement to me as your Governor when you say to me by those resolutions that you propose to help me preserve life and property in Indianapolis.

"I would have different conditions here if it were possible for me to do so. I have not brought about present conditions, as you know, but I shall endeavor to avoid a repetition of them. If my life is spared, I shall take a stand at the next session of the legislature for an arbitration law that will arbitrate. The orderly course of society must not be interfered with by industrial controversies.

"But I am now confronted with conditions requiring immediate action. On the 13th day of last January, and it may prove an unfortunate day for me, I took a solemn oath to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and that oath I propose to respect. You would not have me do otherwise. Within the last five days, lives have been sacrificed and property destroyed in our streets and it is not for me to debate who is at fault. I know that life and property are not secure here and that I must do what I can to make them secure everywhere in our State. The sacrifice of lives and property must cease and whatever course is taken will be to that end, and I appeal to you to uphold me -- to uphold me in the enforcement of the law and the preservation of order."

The men went away assured in their own hearts that they had a friend in the Governor's chair; that he knew their burdens and was willing to share them with them. Capital knew that he was a man who could not be stampeded by the shouts and demands of a mob. With eighteen hundred guardsmen at his command and with the exercise of keen personal judgment and rare courage, Governor Ralston was able to control the situation. He refused to put the troops into the streets to force the immediate operation of cars, but demanded that the street-car company through him treat with the strikers. His firmness won the day. His service as arbitrator was effective and the city of Indianapolis returned to normal life.

Governor Ralston has an abiding faith in the destiny of our nation and in its ability to overcome all difficulties to which it may be subjected. In his address at Notre Dame University, May 30, 1914, he said:

"In searching for a standard by which to square our own lives, we should not forget that some things have been accomplished and said in this country that are beyond the power of man to improve upon. The establishment of republican government--of liberty regulated by law--by our revolutionary fathers and the result of the war between the States will ever be, I verily believe, the crest of civilization. There is nothing beyond these of worldly achievement. When the Fathers brought forth this nation, they did it in support of the affirmation that all men are created equal. Not equal of course as determined by the tape line. Not equal in gray matter. But equal in their right to feed themselves upon the bread earned with their own hands; equal in their right to a fair opportunity to get on in the world unimpeded by the greed of man through the perversion of the functions of government -- equal before the law. And it must be in harmony with this conception of what is right between man and man that this government will overcome its difficulties in the future, both internal and external."

Thus is presented a fair view of him who by the potent voice of the people has been assigned to the chief magistracy of the State of Indiana. Strong, efficient, and faithful, he guides with a master hand the affairs of the State that has always been ready to do its share of the nation's work. As the chief executive of the commonwealth he has risen to social eminence without forgetting for a moment the humble home from which he came. Neither power nor position has marred his innate good will towards all mankind. When future generations, through the perspective of time, shall look back on the record of Samuel Moffett Ralston and weigh his work with the standard of changed conditions, they will with one accord pay sweetest reverence to him who loved his fellow-men.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2007. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Hon. L. M. Crist. "History of Boone County, Indiana." 1914.

Date: October 15, 2007