Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 4 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 29

That adverse conditions build up the strong has found convincing evidence in the life of L. B. Cary, whose dauntless .spirit has surmounted many obstacles, and drawn helpful lessons from disheartening circumstances. He was born in Ohio, June 26, 1848, and at the age of five years he removed with his parents to Iowa. His father, Rev. J. R. Cary, was one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and with his little family went through all the hardships incident to itinerant pioneering in that then far-western state.

In spite of poverty and privation, L. B. secured an academic and collegiate education, and later taught school for a few years and studied law. This he abandoned to take up newspaper work, in which he continued till coming to California, in 1902. In 1912, Mr. Cary was elected to the State Legislature as representative from the Fifty-second District in Fresno County. He distinguished himself as a champion of the agricultural interests of the state, and was notably instrumental in defeating the measure to bring farm labor under the eight-hour law, which would have proved of great injury to the agricultural, stock and fruit interests of the entire state.

In 1914, he was reelected and became noted as one of the leading champions in the movement against corrupt practices, and in securing legislation, and later was instrumental in securing the passage of an amendment to the constitution making it unlawful for a member of the legislature to hold any other office, trust or employment under the state during the term for which he was elected or for two years thereafter.

During the session of 1915 a measure was passed having for its aim the abolition of party lines in California. A protest against this measure in the form of a referendum was carried to the people. Mr. Cary at once became one of the leading champions of the referendum, which was approved by the people with no uncertain majority. At a special session of 1916 the same measure was again forced through the legislature in spite of its repudiation by the people. Mr. Cary was made chairman of the legislative committee to carry a second referendum of the question to the people. He made a thorough organization of the state and after a brilliant and heated contest had the satisfaction of seeing the measure for the destruction of party lines in California again rejected by the people by an overwhelming majority, all but four counties in the state registering their protest against the destruction of party integrity.

Asa platform orator and read)' forum fighter, Mr. Cary has few superiors. He was never known to flinch from any contest in which he saw imperiled the cause of justice and right. Being a man of intense conviction, and having once decided as to the justness of the cause, he took his stand accordingly, without fear or favor, and regardless of who might be against him. Throughout his whole life he has had but one rule to guide his line of action — that of humanity, justice and right. Policy never entered into his calculation. For this reason he has made a name for himself in California which will live after him in connection with the history of the causes he has championed.