Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-07-20

ne means OF partially supporting himself IN the m OF 1871
be removed to tho county Of Ee and the next spring entered
a law Office in Buffalo
There he sustained himself by teachng and continued his
legal studies until the spring Of ls23 when he admitted
TO the Common Pleas and being difdent of his then
unted powers enter into competition with the older mem
bes of the bar in Buffalo, he removed Aurors, in that
county, where he commenced the practice Of law In 1926
he married ABIGAIL PowsRs the child Of the
Rev. emuel Powers, deceased by whom he has two ch-
dren and daughter. She is lady Of great wora,
modest and unobuve in her department. and highly esteem
ed for her many virtues.
In 1927 Mr. Fillmore admitted attorney, and IN
1929 counsellor of the Supreme Court Previous 70 this
his practice had been very limited. but his application to
judicial studies had been and severe, and it IS not
be doubted that during these few years Of comparative Sc
cuson he acquired that general knowledge Of the undamen-
tai principles of the law which has mainly contributed IN alter
life give him elevated rank among the members OF that
liberal profession. His legal requirements and skill as an ad-
attracted the attention Of his professional brethren
in Buffalo, and he offered highly advantageous con-
nexon with older member Of the bar in that city, which
he accepted and removed there in the spring of $780, in
which place he continued to reside until his election Comp
troler and removal 10 Albany last winter.
His first entrance into public life in January, 1879,
when he took his seat as member Of the Assembly from Erie
county, which Office he reelected the two following
years The socalled Democratic party inshose three
sons for many years before and after, held triumph
sway both houses Of the Legislature, and bat little oppor
tunisy afforded young member OF the opposition
to distinguish himself Bot talent integrity and asduous
devotion public business will make felt and respect
ed amidet body Of opposing parisens and Mr.. Fill
more, although in hopeless minority far any question
political party bearing involved all questions
o general character the confidence Of the House
in an uneIsmpled degree. 1t remark among
the members, "H Fillmore says it is right, will vote
| for it."
The most important measure Of general nature that
up during his service in the State Legislature the bill TO
abolish imprisonment for debt In behalf of that great and
phanthropc measure Mr.. Fillmore took active part,
urging with arguments its justice and exped
tency, and, as member Of the committee the subject,
aiding to perfect details That portion Of the bill relating
Justices draughted by him. the remainder being
the work of the Hon. John c. Spencer. The bill met with
erce unrelentng opposition at every step Of its progress
and Mard Fillmore, much to any other man, are
indebted for e1pungng from the statute book that relic Of
a cruel, barbarous age, imprisonment for debt
He was elected to Congress in the fall of 1882. The
session Of ls33-34 will long be remembered the in
which that system Of politics known under the comprehen
sve Of Jacksonism fully developed. During his
first term, Gen. Jackson and those who filled the high offices
oGovemmen and shaped the policy Of the Administration,
pursued comparatively cautious But the ordeal OF
the election of 1882 having been passed. the mask
thrown off, The reelection of Gen. jackson construed
popular approval Of all his acts whether committed or
only mediated and then by gross usupaons of Execu-
tive authority and unwarrantabe exercise Of powers consu
ionay granted pepeated those gross ourages which,
defended they by unscrupulous spirit of partisan
ship have done more to demoalze and corrupt public sen
ment foster cenous spirit of radicaism, miscalled de-
mocracy. and fill the heart Of every patriot with sad FORE
bodngs Of the future than all that the open assaults Of repub
can institutions could have done in century 1t in the
stormy session Of lS3334 Immediately succeeding the
Of the deposte that Mr. Fillmore took his In those
the business Of the House and debates led by old
and experienced mebers-new ones unless they enjoyed
wide spread and almost national reputaion rarely taking
active and conspicuous part Little chance therefore,
afforded Mr.. Fillmore, member Of the opposition, young
and unassumng, of displaying those qualities that emf
neny fit him for Legislative usefulness But the school
admirably qualified fully develope and cultivate
those powers which, under favorable circumstances,
enabled him to render such varied and important services
to his country. As he has done in all the stations he
has filed he discharged his duty with scrupulous fidelity,
omittng all proper occasions any effort to advance
the interests Of his constituents and the country, and winning
the respect and confidence Of all.
AT the close Of his of service he resumed the practice
his profession, which be pursued with distinguished epu
aon and success until yielding to the public voice, he
send to become candidate, and reelected to Congress
in the fall of 1885, The remarks above made in relation to
his service in the 23d Congress- win measuraby apply to his
second term. Jacksonsm and the pet bank system had in
the march Of the progressive Democracy given place to
Van Buensm and the Subtreasury. It but another
step towards the practical repudaon Of old republican pnc
pies, and advance the ocoocoism of the present day.
In this Congress Mr. Fillmore took active part than
be did during his first term a the assembling of the next
Congress- to which he reelected by largely increased
majority, Ae assigned prominent place. what next
to that Of Ways and Means it justly anticipated, would
become the most important committee Of the Housetha of
Elections It in this Congress that the famous
tested New Jersey up. 1t would swell this brief
biographical sketch to too great length enter upon the
details of that case, and is the less necessary do
much the circumstances Of the gross outrage then perpe
traed, by party calling itself republican, and claiming to
respect State rights yet dwell in the recollection Of every
reader The prominent part Mr. Fillmore took in that case,
his patient investigation Of all its complicated minute Details
the clear convincing in which he forth the facts
the lofty and indignant eloquence with which he denounced
the medated wrong all strongly directed public attention to
him Of the abes Of that Congress distinguished
by the eminent ability and craftsmanship many its
members.
On the assembling of the next Congress- to which Mr. Fill
reelected by majority larger than before
given his district, he placed at the head Of the Com
mttee Of Ways and Means. The duties Of that station al