It sounds like Reginald Stackhouse was an extremely decent person ... and he served as a politician!  I have heard stories about my own grandfather and great-grandfather having to quit school to support their own fathers, mothers and siblings ... while pursuing a trade or profession part-time.  They gained experience and a realistic grasp of life in the process.  Today, politicians seem to go from a bachelor's degree in 'political science' to the 'back rooms of power', then to a political position as MPP or MP while by-passing useful experience in the process. Different times for sure.