Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-05-04

GEN JAMES McKAY-As it now seems
extremely doubtful whether Gen. McKAr's
health will permit him again to resume his po-
sition in the halls OF Congress, short sketch
of his political character may not be either in
appropriate or devoid of interest at the pres
sent time Few members of the House have
exerted wider influence, or occupied high
er position, and none with less reproach. Du.
ring many years he was chairman OF the CON-
mittee OF Ways and Means. the most impor-
tant and responsible post in the gift of the
House, and implying high trust in the per
son to whom it was confded. The fidelity
and ability with which he discharged the du
ties of that position, have never been called in
question The following remarks, which we
extract from the Ne,c York Sunday Times.
will give pretty accurate idea of the estima
ton in which Gen Mckay is held throughout
the Union:--
Gen. Mckay is an orator after the fashion
of Mr.. Vlnton. but more terse, concise, and
convincing Take his speeches "by and
large" | believe they fall with more power
upon the House than those of any other men,
ber do not know that he has ever raised
his voice IN favor of an appropriation bill that
has not passed 1t. however, at times happens
that the House enacts an appropriation which
he has opposed. He is very laborious. and in
the course of his long service at the head of
the committee OF ways and means, would not
! hear of an appropriation for clerk to do his
{ writing, because it would require small ex-
! penditure OF the public money. Sick or well,
he has always dischargedthe duties of the po-
sition without clerk, thing never before
:. attempted by any other head of the same com
: mittee. --..
1t will he remembered that last winter much
unnecessary debate took place,in the hall with
reference to the mileage abuse, for such it is. }
n The proposition Of every other member who
S approached the sub ect was voted down sans
ceremon'e, he having previously given notice
OF an intention to move in the matter Ac-
cordingly he brought in his mileage reform
d bill near the close of the session, which was
# passed in very few hours. and almost with
! out Il division This goes 10 show the uni
versal confidence of the House in his justice
: discretion, and singleness of purpose.
a Gen. Mckay is the terror of all dishones
II claimants and scheming claim-agents. They
n dread him worse than "the seven years
= agGe." He makes it rule to inform himsel
: as to the merits Of every proposition to ex
y pend the public money. None escape him
n For twenty years past, he has not thrown {
Is vote for or against private appropriation bill
! without knowing, to dollar, how much hi
" was voting away, or refusing 10 vote away
e and the reason why he so voted. Cave John
l. son and George W Jones, OF Tennessee, are
: the only other members for whom | Can say
-, as much The democrats of the House al
~ ways feel secu'e with Gen. Mckay at lht
II head OF the committee OF ways and means. a:
n they know that under his auspices not dol
n lar will be asked for an appropriation which
cannot be justified as absolutely necessary fo
the proper economy of the government. HI
guards the public Treasury as though it was
7 his own purse, and will fire: and swear as flu
riously over request for really useless al
ditiona clerk for a bureau, as though IFS hea,
l. had proposed to rob him. personally, of th'
i amount of the employees salary
). 1t is a luxury TO hear Gen. Mckay speak
because his arguments are unanswerable. H
" points cannot be Succe ssfuly met-at leaS
such is the opinion Of the reporters, who con
slider him the most effective speaker in TIL
5 House He is not. however, what is termed
an agreeable speaker. Though fluent, he i
very sparng of his words, and has shar
harsh voice, sounding in excellent keepin:
with his appearance. do not believe that il
the course Of his long service in Congress b
has ever been seen to smie-at least, though
have attended the sittngs of the H ouse yea
after year, have never once seen the muscle
of his face relaxed 1t is common sayn
among the reporters who have been in tn
hall for over twenty years, that in all that tim
e he has never been known to laugh. Still. tn
is man has kind heart--a ust and truly gene
}. rous heart-for it is filled with the sentiment
so constantly on the lips of others, but neve
l. on his own mean of devotion TO The inter
!. est of the people. Holding that no man ca
infexibly adhere TO the duty of guarding tn
public purse as he would his own without be
D inc filled with nobility of soul lar above tn
e. considerations of a pitiable personal policy S
Se apt to enter into the calculations of all men i
P public lie, believe that it requires the exel
else of species of generosity and self sacr
flee not to be practised by a man without h
re is filled to the brim with the real SOUL leadin
one infexibIy, under all circumstances, to d
unto others as he would be done by
: Gen. Mckay has seen so much downrgt
T. robbery of the public purse in his day. thu
S. he has come to look upon every claimant as
swndler until after having satisfied himself {
the justice of his application How the clail
e. agents hate and maign him They pray fel
vently that his increasing ll-heaIth may 500
incapaciate him from coming 10 Washington
IN One and all, their hands ale against him; an
k faith, as general thing, he returns the CON
n plimeni-for, if he had his way, all who max
business of begging appropriations frol
Congress would be safely locked up in tn
n District penitentiary.
~ During the last war. a friend went to h
;" room to see him on business, and finding hir
leaning over his writing table apparently
of excruciaIing bodily pain-looking twice a
N "pnckered up" as usual-eagerly inquired h
ne aiIing "Why," said he, "this - Cher
st followed a string of round oaths as long q
in your army fellow asks for six thousand do
. lars more for the corps of - than he ougl
ID 10 havep' This reques: had griped the Ger
in eral as though he was in next to the last stag
of the cholera
General Mckay is the father of the Hons
: the member who has served ongest-ever
me of his fellow members having entere
Stree he was first sent to Washington. Whe
his remarkable face ceases to make its az
pearahce in the hall, the House will nave To-
/. the best friend-the most untiring, effectiv
and conscientious friend" the people, haV
ever had there a friend who has never stool
ed to curry favor with living man.