m..." _ E
1 .‘-;«~ .
Founded in 1800.]
a
.4 n Entertaining and I nstmctive Home J eternal, Espe
cially Devoted_to Local News and Interacts.
[$1.00 lieu.
J
VOL. XcmENo. 4.
TERSE TALES or. THE TiMES. .
Oysters R scarce.
—Cansda Malt Beer at Betta & Ear-
rington’a. . 4tf
Henry Keeler, a delivery clerk in the
emlploy of W. H. Terry & Co., is very
sic .
—Canada Malt Beer at Betts & Far-
rington’s. _ . 4tf
The. court of common pleas will con-
vene in Danbury the first Monday in
February.
—Canada Malt Beer at Betts & Far-
rington’s. . 4tf
Miss Annie Reseguie, of Ridgefield,
was in town yesterday, visiting friends
on LeWis street. ,
Town Iclerk Herbert Smith is still
confined to the house with a very severe
attack of bronchitis.
The Danbury board of fire under-
writers have adoptedthe 80 per cent
Co-insurance clause.
The remains of the late Edward
Acton were brought here for interment .
from Tuckahoe, N. Y., to-day.
The King’s Sons’ entertainment
takes place at. the
Chapel this evening.
A wild turkey was recently killed at
English, Indiana, which weighed 29
pounds and had a beard 10 inches long.
Mr. Frederick Belden was reported
as being somewhat better of his illness
yesterday. He is a very sick man yet.
Mr. Arthur C. Wheeler advertises
for operators on straw sewing machines
and girls to braid, at the Butler street
straw factory. '
—-Lost.-—A saphire and diamond scarf
pin. A liberal reward will be paid for
its return to Frank Woodward, 17
North avenue. 4-tf
“Fanchon the Cricket” to-night at
the Opera House. Doubtless Miss
Alice Kemp will fill the role in a happy
and pleasing manner.
—For meats of all kinds at the lowest
living prices call at Raymond and
Lockwood’s No. 22 Main street. Adams
Bros. old stand. ' 428 1w
‘There'wam’ce‘itén' feet thick at the
Union factory pond yesterday. It was
pilled up by Butcher Fred Smith pre-
vious to being housed.
The headquarters for Fourth Regi-
ment officers at the old guard ball at
Madison Square, New York, January
30, will be the Windsor hotel.
——Hale’s Emulsion, 50 cents. 520 tf
“All Hot” Burton claims to‘ have
won $50 and fifty pounds of Frankfort
sausages on the result of the skating
contest af Stamford, yesterday.
Lincoln and Pilgrim Chuncils and
Co. D propose holding a fair at the
Armory. A date will probably be
decided upon next Tuesday night.
The case of the Norwalk Gas com-
pany vs. the Borough of N orwalk, be-
ing tried before the Superior Court,
has been adjourned until next Tuesday.
Messrs. Arthur Slauson, Alexander
Austin and George Nash attended the
firemen’s ball in Stamfordlast night,
as did also a carryall load of Norwalk
lassies.
—Sirloin Steak 15 cents, Porterhouse
teak 15 cents, Pork Chops and Loins
14 cents, the finest assortment of fresh
fish in town. People’s Market, Nor-
walk and South Norwalk, (opposite
Hayes’.)- 4-2t
The Sentinel made a cushion shot at
the GAZETTE yesterday, but it failed to
count. It only served to show Howard
up they were for an item. Pardon the
attempt at ,‘punning ; it is perhaps as
weak as the shot.
—HALE’S LUNG BALSAM 25c. -
529-tf
A Norwalk paper flippantly refers to
Stamford’s lockup as a “peach crate”
just because a prisoner pried his way
out with an iron poker. ~~A dvocate.
Oh no! Not "flippantly” but advis-
edly, 'as the result proves. '
. A Norwalk clerk confesses to having
invested two dollar in Stamford, yes-
terday, for the privilege of expressing
his opinion as under which English
walnut shell the “little joker” was en-
sconsed. Of course it was not under
.the one he selected.
—-—The place—A. H. ‘Hoyt & Son. Re-
duction of 50 cents per pair on 2.50
3.50, 4.00, 4.50, and 5.00 shoes. ~Well
known lines, also great bargains in old
lots ladies shoes. Lot at 1.50. also lot
at 1.25. Regular price was from 2.00 to
5.00, machine and hand sewed. Hoyts’
37 Wall street. 529-4t
A recital by the pupils of Miss Ger-
trude Camp and Miss Annie E. Hall,
assisted by Mrs. Lewis D. Keeler, con-
tralto, and Mr. Horace Hills, Jr., ten-
or, Willbe held on Monday evening
next, at Miss Hall’s home No. 104 Main
street. It will be a rich musical treat. _
The funeral of Isaac A..Smith, the
vetertn soldier was attended from his
late home on UnioniPlace this after-
noon. Members of Buckingham post,
G. A.‘ R. and 'a. number'of his old com- .
rades of the 17th C. V. were present,
Bey. F. E. --Ro.bbins oficiated. Hisree
mains werewinterfed“'iii the soldiera’
f' plot at Riverside cemetery. ' _
Congregational _
N ORWALK, CONN., FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1893.
A
Connecticut Pensions.
George Butler. M. Collins. Addition-
al-Isaac N. Palmer, Aaron C. Dresser,
David Weaver, Jerome Evans. Re-
newal and increase—D. Robinson
Increase—James .Mulligan,"Russel B.
Porter. Original widows—Sarah Weeks,
Catherine Lyon, Mary Andrew, Julia
A. Adams. ‘
The St. Joseph’s Benevolent Society
organized over thirty years ago is
dead, and its belongings were sold last
night to the highest bidder. Most of
the parphernalia and fixtures were bid
in by members of the society. It was
at one time the leading Irish society in
town, and its benevolent acts have been
many. The death of the organization
is to be regretted.
Yesterday we published the fact of
the arrest of a man in Bridgeport, fir
forgery, and who gave his name as
George F. Brewer. ~ It since transpires
that the man’s name is George Starr, a
former resident of Wilton who was
arrested here some time ago for fast
driving, later as a horse thief, and yet
later for forging a marketman’s name
in South Norwalk. besides robbing an
oyster saloon in which he was employ-
ed, on Washington staeet. He is well
but mighty unfavorably known in town.
USE DANA’S SARSAPARILLA,IT’S
“THE KIND THAT CURES. ”
Cupid’s Doings.
A N orwalk lady is authority {for the
statement that Mr. Edward Saunders of
Union Place, and Miss Amelia Saun-
xders are to be married on the 9th of
next month. Also that Mr. Saunder’s
brother, Edward, will take unto him-
self a wife in the person of an East
Norwalk widow. Mrs. Dennis, by
name,before the robins nest again. The
GAZETTE extends congratulations in ad-
vance of the happy events.
__ . . . __ . _ __
Served Hi‘m Right.
Yesterday afternoon at the Stamford
skating contest a young man was in the
crowd “ working ” the shell game.
Constable Summerfield Tucker of Da-
rien, requested the man to stop his
game, and was called a vile name,
whereupon he grabbed the man and
gave him a deservedly good drubbing
and then placed him under arrest. He
will be given a hearing to-day at Da-
rien. ‘
ti
Assaulted an Officer.-
Depot @flicer Stanit‘ord was set upon
at Bridgeport, last night, by John Ken-
dall, Frank Lynch and Bernard Lynch
of New Haven and John Hinckey of
Bridgeport. The officer was knocked
down and terribly beaten. He had
three fingers and an arm broken and
was generally bruised up. The New
Haven men were arrested by other offi-
cers as they were leaving town. The
assault was caused by Staniford at-
tempting to arrest the men.
- .-__..,_~....(->———————. I
’ Success 'of a Norwalk Boy.
About four years ago Mr. W. F.
Smith left Norwalk for the West in
company with a relative, MiaJ. J. S.
Hassler, of New Jersey. They located
at Forest City, South Dakota, and in
connection With W. H. Buckley, Esq.,
of Connecticut, bought up Govern-
ment claims and started a Land Im-
provement Co._. and also built the For-
est City and Sioux Railroad running
from Forest City to Gettysburg. Mr.
Smith has an interest in the principal
hotel in the town called “ The Hatha-
way,” and in connection with two other
gentlemen of Forest City owns and
runs the Forest City Ferry, under the
cognomen of the Forest City .i'r Sioux
City Ferry Co. Mr. Smith was favor-
ably known here in connection with
the Danbury d: N orwalk railroad, with
an office at one time in,Danbury and
later on at South Norwalk until the
road was leased to the Housatonic R.
ll. 00. Mr. Smith then went to Bridge-
port and remained with that company
until he started for the West and final-
ly located at Forest City, Potter coun-
ty. South Dakota, where he now is.
When he went to that city it did not
contain one hundred inhabitants, but
Since that time the population has in-
creased with great rapidity and has be-
come quite a city, causing Mr. Smith’s
in'i'estments to more than double in
va ue.
.o, 5—.“ ___
Amusements.
OPERA HOUSE.
“ True Irish Hearts, or Saved by a
Dream,”,was.presented at the Opera
House last night. Miss Alice Kemp,
as Kathleen O’Connor, gave a fine ren-
dition of the character, and G. A. Hill
was excellent as Terrence O’Moore.
The other characters in the play were
good. Constance Barrington is still a
favorite Singer, as is also Ray Earle.
D. F. Gallagher came in for his share
of applause, and John Shea’s clog-
dancing was pleasing. To-night Fan-
chon, the Cricket, will be presented
and if the vivacious and pretty Miss
Kemp.'doc_sn’t fill the character of Fan-
chon,‘it Will be a surprise to all who
have wrtuessed her acting.
Original—.
Methodist! Church.
There will be a meeting in the
Lecture Room this evening at 7:45.
The great interest in the meeting last
evening called for this extra one. Two
gentlemen and a lady were at the altar
last evening and were very clearly
converted. *
-Av
Connecticut Souvenir.
Says a Hartford paper. speaking of
the meeting of the world’s fair commis-
sioners and woman’s board of man-
agers : Among other business trans-
acted was choosing from eight com-
petitive designs, two’ which shall be the
official Connecticut souvenirs, and sold
on the World’s fair grounds.
The two designs selected were drawn
by Miss Ethel Andrews of Nerwalk,
and by Miss Isabelle Lord of Ivoryton,
Conn. Miss Andrew’s design is a med-
allion of state coat—of~arms surmount-
ed by crossed state and national flags,
pendant from a crescent. Miss Lord’s
design 'isa silver stab pin with a nut-
meg as the head.
USE DANA’S SARSAPARILLAJT’S
“THE KIND THAT CURES.”
Q.
Educational Work.
The Connecticut'Y. M. U. A. conven-
tion is to be held in. New Britain from
Friday to Sunday, Feb. 17—19th. This
promises to be an unusually interest-
ing gathering. The following persons
are expected to be present: John‘R.
Mott, International committee, H. M.
Moore, Boston, George R. Marburton
and Lucien C. Warner, Newlork, and
others.
Rev. F. M. Lamb, formerly with
Rev. B. F. Mills, the noted evangelist,
is to lead the singing. mong the
subjects considered are : “Social Life
of Members,” “How can we make our
Educational Work Efi'ective,” "How
Shall There be Brought About Closer
Relations Between the Community
and the Associations.” ‘
Parlor conferences are to be held
for the pastors and presidents, busi-
ness men, physical department, associa-
tion committees, and college men.
USE DANA’S SARSAPARILLAJT’S
“THE KIND THAT CURES”.
—- c o o—-——-——-—-———
A New Pension Bill,
The democratic members of the
House sub-committee on appropria-
tions at Washington, in framing the
annual pension appropriation bill for
submission to the full committee,
have made a vigorous onslaught on the
dependent andxliaahility pension act,
passed by the republican Congress in
1890. They have adopted a number of
amendments changing that law.
The following are the principal
changes made: That no widow shall
receive a pension under the act of 1890,
unless married to the soldier prior to
1870; that no person shall receive a
pension under the act of 1890, unless
disabled in the service from manual
labor and in receipt of an income of
less than $000 a year, and that no‘ non-
resident of the United States shall
receive a pension unless he was act-
ually disabled in the service. The
amendments were adopted, 3 to 2.
The bill, as framed by the majority
of the sub-committee, also does away
with the pension agencies throughout
the country and provides for payment
of pensions by checks directly from
the treasury department, abolishes
examinations of applicants by sur-
geons and provides for the appoint-
ment of 150 special examiners.
Capt. Sp rague Arrested.
Captain Daniel Sprague, formerly of
Bridgeport, was arrested at his home in
South Norwalk on complaint of Henry
J. Lewis, Marshall E. Morris, Schafi'er
Mott and other large oyster dealers of
Bridgeport, charged with stealing oys-
ters from beds 011' Fairfield and South-
port forover a year. He was taken be-
fore Justice Howard N. Wakeman of
Fairfield by Sherifi' Pike and released
on bonds. The case will be heard next
Wednesday morning at 9:30.
Captain Sprague has for more than a
year been in charge of the Etta May,
an oyster boat owned by Dr. Jacob
May and others of Bridgeport. The
complainants in the present process
claim that the crew of the boat have
been systematically stealing by whole-
sale from the beds off the points above
named, alleging that its captain and
crew were in a conspiracy with the
watchmen on shore who, it is alleged,
received a share of the profits.
Attorney Stiles Judson, J r., repre-
sents the owners of the beds and pro-
fesses to be prepared to show that
thousands of bushels of ' oysters have
been stolen in the time alleged. The
owners of the boat are likely to become
defendants in civil proceedings should
the captain be found guilty upon the
charges preferred, and under the law
the Etta May is also liable, as any boat
used illegally in taking oysters can be
condemned and forfeited to the state.
USE DANA’S SARSAPABILLAJT’S
' “THE KIND THAT'CURES.”
‘ BALLOT. .
.aiizarrii axcgiisiou ric‘iiiir
_ CLEVELAND’S INAUGURATION,‘
Wastington,D.C., (Marcia 4, 1893,
FOR THE
W057 POPULAR 'PERSOW. IWE’WO‘RW ULK. '
'NA ME,
' _.41)nRES_.s'_,.Z.;_
..... ..............' ........
J;
Will He Do it?
Fred. Stabell of South 'Norwalk, is
going to walk around the outer edge of
Cove pond in Stamford to-morrow af-
ternoon at 3 o’clock for a large wager.
The referees are John W. Wehle, John
Hardy and Gould Taylor. The stake-
holder is Edward F. Smith. He is to
make the distance in one hour and a
quarter.
Very Unpleasant.
Last night at the Opera House sever-
al young men saw fit to keep time With
their feet to the music of the orchestra.
The noise was very annoying to others
in the audience, and the parties mak-
ing it ought to have been promptly
ejected from the house. Another an-
noyance was the frequent calling out
between the acts of “All hot.” If the
guilty ones have no respect for them-
selves they ought at least have a some
for the ladies who were present. The
management had entirely rid the Opera
House of this evil but it broke out
again last night. If it be repeated to-
night though the chances are that those
guilty of the act will be arrested or
anyhow ejected from the hall.
Annual Roll Call.
The third annual reunion and roll
call of the First Congregational church
was held last evening in the chapel.
An unusually large number were pres-
ent to respond as their names Were
called by the clerk of the church, Mr.
H. B. Wigham,and numerous messages
and greetings were read from the aged
members of the church who were una-
ble to be present as well as from the ab-
sent ones who were not able to‘attend.
Refreshments were served from six un-
til eight o’clock during which a most
deightf'ul social time was enjoyed. It
was an occaswn long to be remember-
ed in the history of the church, and
both pastor and people are to be con-
gratulated on the most successful and
enjoyable reunion and roll call which
has yet been held.
.0.
Trotters at Auction.
At Wednesday’s sale in New York
there was a lively tilt for the posses-
sion of the brood mare Sapphire, the
dam of Nominator, 2:245 She is in
foal to Alcantara, and but 13 years old.
A bid of $5,000 got the mare. Among
the sales were:
Gertie Medium, b. in., 18 years, by
HappyMedium-Fannie Clay, by Ken-
tucky Clay, (in foal to Woodnut ;) Run-
(ile & White, of Danbury, Conn, $225.
Frosine, b. n1., 4 years, by Epaulet-
Stella Medium, by Happy Medium, (in
foal to Woodnut;) James Martin. Wa-
terbury, Conn,, $5310.
Yan Alstyne, ch. 0.. 2 years, by Me-
ander-Heartsease, bv Thorndale; H.
Foley, New Haven. Conn, $24.0.
Amorita, ch. f., 2 years, by Onset.-
Muriel, by Meander; ll. Foley, New
Haven, Conn., $310.
Charmion, br. f., 2 years, by Chel-
ton-Olio; James Martin, Waterbury,
Conn., $100. .
Erin, 2:24.,i. b. h., 13 years, by Bel-
mont-Eventide, by Woodford Mam-
brino; F. G. Warner, Harthrd,Conn-,
$1,100. 9
. —— 4-.» --——~———
Alpha Wheel Club Smoker.
The Smoker and Card Party, given
by the Alpha Wheel Club at their
rooms last evening was certainly a
grand success. Upwards of fifty guests
were assembled. Card playing, smok-
ing and pleasant conversation prevailed
until about ten o’clock when supper
was announced. After doing justice
to the abundance of good things spread
before them, the company listened to
speeches by several members of “The
Alpha” and other clubs, from Stam-
ford, Mount Vernon, Bridgeport and
South Norwalk. The boys then ad-
journed to the parlors where “Dick”
Mitchell was rendering some of his
comic songs. ‘_‘Jake” Cornwall accom-
panying him with his banjo. Playing,
singing, etc., were indulged in for
awhile and it was somewhere among
the "wee sma hours” when the last of
the guests started for home, each with
adesire to reach there before the early
rising milkman, and each hoping that
the “smoker”, be closely followed by
another just such sociable gathering.
The cuisine was under the immediate
superv1s10nof David Wheelman Ray-
mond and was a “glittering” showing
of his abilities in that line.
Democratic Club.
The Democratic club have tastil
fitted up their rooms in the Price builds:
ing on Water street, and provided fa-
cilities for the amusement and enter-
tainment of its members, as well as‘a
central and convenient place where its:
members can confer on political meas-
ures. . ~
The first thing to attract one’s atten-
tion on gomg into the room is a large
picture of the club’s “patron saint”
Grover Cleveland. Chairs in abund-.
ance are set about the room. Tables
covered With daily and weekly papers
and periodicals are. at one end of the
~ room and there are tables for games
etc., a handsome roll top desk also
graces the room. There are a billiard
and a pool table, and other. accessories
usually found at such places. '
The club propose, are long fitting up
a luxurious parlor, and a large library
w111 probably be added in time. The
club which is in a very prosperous con-
dition is officered as follows: J. T.
Hubbell, President; L. L. Sherwood,
Secretary ; F. Mead, Treasurer; T. J.
Howard, Sergeant-at Arms; C. .
Wood,L Chairman Executive Commit,-
tee; George A. Honnecker, Secretary
Executive Committee. '
~<+>———-——, —- .
Diphtheria was the cause of 414
deaths in Boston last year. Virchow,
‘the famous German'scienéist, considers
diphtheria the most dan erious of" all
contagiOus diseases, not excepting
' cholera. _
Representative Lounsbury’s Darien
dog bill was killed in, the legislature
yesterday. Mr. Lounsbury was not
'very greatly pleased 'as‘ it was the dogs
. not the. bill..iliat' he", wished to have
killed.-
laid.
.
BLAINE DEAD.
Th0 HIUStPlOUS Statesman P218888
Away This Morning.
A Brief Sketch of His Career.
A special dispatch to the GAZETTE Ian-
nounces the death of America’s most
illustrious statesman and greatest citi-
zen, James Gillespie Blaine, at his
home in Washington at 11.07 o’clock
this morning. '
The Life of lift. Blaine.
James GilleSple Blaine was born at West
Brownsville, Pa., January 31, 1830. He
was the second son‘ of Ephraim Lyon
Blaine, and was one of a family of four
sons and two daughters. Mr. Blaine’s
ancestors had an honorable part in the
settlement of Western Pennsylvania.
One of them founded the town of Carlisle
in that region. 001 Ephraim Blaine, the
grandfather of James G. Blaine, was a
revolutionary hero, and the Commissary
General of the remnants of the American
Army which starved at Valley Forge.
After the war he went to Europe and re-
mained there until 1793, when he came
home as the bearer of Jay’s traety.
Ephraim Lyon Blaine, his son, settled
in Washington county, Pa., about 1818.
By inheritance and by purchase he owned
large tracts of land in the county. One
of these he sold in 1818 to the Economites
for $25,000. This property, splendidly
fmproved,is still owned by the surviv-
ing members of this sect. Ephraim
Blaine was too prodigal in his expendi-
tures, and seems to have Spent a great
part of his property 'in hospitality and
politics. In 1843 he became Prothonotary
and removed from Brownsville to Wash-
ington, the county seat. The house in
which he had lived, and in which James
G. Blaine was born, is still or was re-'
cently standing. It is a comfortable two-
story wooden building, with low ceilings
and small windOWS, and remarkab'e for
the disproportionately large size of the
hall in which the hospitable gatherings
were usually held. .
Two years before Mr. Blaine the elder
had moved to Washington he , sent his
son James to reside in the house of
Thomas Ewing at Lancaster, 0. Mr.
Ewing was at that time Secretary of the
Treasury, and his son Tom, afterward
Gen. Ewing, and Jim Blaine were under
the tutorship of William Lyons, who
appears to have been a man of fine educa-
tion and some culture. This William
Lyons Was a young Englishman of good
family, and his nephew, Lord Lyons, as
afterward British Minister to Washington
during the exciting scenes of the civil
war. .
Ills College Life.
James G. Blaine entered Washington
College situated in his native county, -
when he was 13 years of age. There is
evidence extant that he was popular
among his fellows. He was quick rather
than studious, but amassed a good. deal:
of knowledge, particulary of English
literature and mathematics. That he
had some diligence in his class work is
shown by the fact that he graduated
third in his class, consisting of thirty-
three members.
It was at Washington College that
young Blaine showed his first aptitude
for politics. He was a member of the lit-
erary society, and without special prom—
inence, made a secret compact with
another member by which he was elected
J AMES GI LLESPIE BLAINE.
President. He studied “ Cushing’s Man-
ual” very cargfully in order to fit himself
for the duties of his new office, and every
one conceded that he performed them
Well.
While Blaine was'attending college his
father died, leaving very little money be-
hind him. It was imperative that the
young man should find something to do
to support himself, and he adopted the
profession of teacher as the readiest
means to his hand. His first situation in
this capacity was in the Western Mili-
tary Inotitute, Blue Lick Springs, Ky.
He won general esteem as a professor,
and gave evidence of physical couragé at
a row which finally broke up the school.
'When others used revolvers he relied
upon his fists, and came out withouta
scratch.
Mr. Blaine’s sojourn at Blue Lick
Springs was instrumental in bringing
him finally into the State of Maine.
flour-“hip and Marriage.
The wife of the principal of the col-
lege bid a young ladies’ seminary at
Milleraville, twenty miles from Blue-
Lfck Springs. The teachers of the two
institutions exchanged visits, and among
the girls there at the school was Miss
Harriet Stanwood.
One year after his arrival at Blue Lick
Springs Mr. Blaine married Miss Stan-
' wood. Shortlyafter this he went back
to-his native county in Pennsylvania,
where he studied law for several months,
but stopped short without being called
to the bit. .
, In 1852 Mr. Blaine became a teacher in
the Philadelphia Institute for the In-
struction of the Blind. The school was
situated in Philadelphia at thecorner of
Twentieth and Race streets, where it still
remains. ‘ From. 1852 to 1854 he taught-
the blind Inmates of this institution with
i-wihiaut success. During ins; leigzte.
r . O
. .
PRICE TWO CENTS.
hours he wrote a history 6! it, n‘i’ir'iy
copies of which are still preserved. His
wife and son lived with him in the institu-
tion,and Mrs. Blaine was, like, her hus-
band, popular with all the other teachers
and the pupils. -
Evidently his wife’s. influence was
strong upon Mr. Blaine to find some
wider sphere for his talents, for in 1854
he voluntarily threw up his situation as
teacher in Philadelphia and removed to
Augusta, Me.. where he has since had his
permanent home when not fulliilling
oficial duties in Washington. His first
work in his new State was as editor of
the Kennebec Journal, which he owned in
rtnership with Joseph Baker, 3 promi-
xnt lawyer in Augusta. The paper was
an earliest advocate of the doctrines of
the expiring Whig party, and Mr.
Blaine’s Services to that cause were soon
recognized to be far above those of aver-
age men. V1.1
In 1857 Mr. Blaine sold his interest in
the Journal and became editor of the
Portland Advertiser, a daily paper. He
held this office for two years and gave it
up to enter the State Legislature in 1859.
From that time on his active connection
with journalism ceased, except for a few
months during the campaign of 1860,
when he again editedthe Kennebec J our-
nal, taking the side of the rising =Repub-
lican party. It was also in this year that
he was chosen Chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Republican State Com-
mittee of Maine. This office he contiuued
to fill long after the times when he was a
prominent candidate for the Presidential
nomination. _
His Political Career.
Mr. Blaine was a member of the Maine
Legislature for four terms, during the
last two of which he acted as Speaker. In
1862 he was elected to Congress. In an
address to the convention which nom-
inated him he stated that he was in favor
of a vigorous prosecution of the-war and
for giving an effective support to Presi-
dent Lincoln in whatever measures
might be deemed necessary by him to
accomplish this end. His own words on
this occasion were: “ The great object
with us all is to subdue the Rebellion——
speedily, effectually and finally. In our '
march to that end we must crush all in-
tervening obstacles. If slavery or any
other institution stands in the way it
must be removed. Perish all things else,
the national life must be saved.”
m JAMES G. BLAINE.
This speech was received with over-
whelming applause, and the result was
shown in his triumphant election over
his Democratic competitor by a majority
of 3,000, the largest ever given in his dis-
trict.
Mr. Elaine’s rise in the House of Rep-
resentatives was rapid but even. During
his first term he made only one set speech,
which was in favor of the assumption of
debts incurred by Northern States for
war purposes by the Federal. Govern-
ment, but he was always ready in a skir-
mishrand his knowledge of political his-
tory, his ready wit, and his unfailing
repartee soon made him a distinguished
favorite with the galleries, as well as in-
suring for him the respect of his adver-
saries and the confidence of the members
of his own party. While ready to sup-
port President Lincoln to the utmost ex-
tremity in case of need, he alwayss‘fiowed
himse f in favor of a moderate, legal
and/ constitutional procedure where it
should be adopted. In this manner he
supported the Draft bfll but opposed
absolute conscription, holding that the
act would not so well accomplish its pur- '
pose without reasonable measures of sub-
stitution and commutation. He was soon
made a member of the important Com-
mittee on Military Affairs, and in the
second session of the Thirty-ninth Con-
gress was Chairman of the Committee of
War Debts of Loyal States. His speech
on this subject attracted wide attention,
and was used as a campaign document in
the Presidential election of 1864. When
Mr. Lincoln was assassinated Mr. Elaine’s
prominence was made evident by his'
being chosen as a representative of the
State of Maine to appear at the funeral
on behalf of the Lower House of Congress.
The Reconstruction Period.
As soon as the war was over Congress
began to debate the question of recon-'
struction. Mr. Thaddeus Stevens, of
Pennsylvania, was Chairman of the Com-
mittee of the House which had charge of
this, subject, and in this capacity brought
in the proposed amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States. The sub-
stance of this amendment was that rep-
resentatives and direct taxes shouldbe -
apportioned among the several States
according to population, excluding In-
dians not taxed; but provided that when
the elective franc ise should be denied or
abridged in any ate, on account of race
or color, all persons of such race or color
should be excluded from the basis of rep-
resentation. .
The plan first proposed by Mr. Stevens
was to apportion representatives accord—
ing to the local number of voters in each
State, but Mr. Blaine successfully led the
opposition to it, on the ground that while
it would keep the South from distrau-
chlsing the blacks, it would make sari-y,
bus and undesirable alterations in the -
representation of the Northern States;
Mr. Blaine" would have, preferred in-
stead of the words “elective franchise ” .
the phrase “ similar political rights or.
privileges,” but this proposal was not
accepted. ‘ ' ' ' ' , ‘ ‘
. The Reconstruction bill wasfireported
togfiefiouserby Mr. Stevens on Februusy
QQSQZ. 2' ,1; divjdgithe Legjjates guilty ;
' "CCOntihued oanifth Page.]
i
Norwalk Chronicler