The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-19
,to the Union, In 1920, to the present time :

Jud.h Dan. BY shs Governor in place Of Ether
tk D. 8 Moor, .reoinsod by tbs Governor. ia place of
The names Of the above Senators show that they
are all Of Apglo-Saxon origin, except Williams and
Evans, who descended from the Welsh, or ancient
Britons. This remark may be applied generally 70
nearly all the names of persons who have represented
the New England States, either in the Continental
or Federal Congress. The exceptions to Anglo
Saxon and Welsh names are few indeed among the
New Englanders Of the old families.
Maine, it will be recollected, was District under
the government Of Massachusetts,, although not OF
contiguous territory until 10Th March, 1920, when It
vas admitted into the Union by act OF Congress Of Sd
March. The separation from Massachusetts, was
nainly effected by the efforts and influences Of John
Holmes, who was member Of Congress from one Of
The Maine districts at the time On the organization
u the State, the Legislature Of Maine elected John
Holmes and John Chandler as the first United States
Senators. They took their seats on the meeting Of
Congress in November, 1870, when Holmes drew for
The term ending the following March, 1921, and
Chandler for the term ending March, 1928. We give
The following biographical sketches Of the Senator's
JOHN HOLMES was Of Massachusetts, origin, hay.
ing been born on Cape Cod absut the year 1873;
and while quite young man he removed to Aaine
and for many years practised law at Alfred in York
county. In early life he engaged in politics, and
becoming an active democratic republican, was
elected to the Legislature Of Massachusetts,, where
he rapidly rsse to distinction by his eloquence, his
playful and occasionally rough wit, his bitter at.
Acka on the leaders Of the federal party, and his
great powers Of debate. He was elected represen.
tative to Congress from the York district and took
his seat in the House In December, 1917. He was
reelected, and continued . member OF the House
until chosen Senator In 1890. In Congress, he
distinguished himself, particularly by his speech
IN defence Of General jackson for his con-
duct in the Seminole war, and by his
speeches and votes in favor Of the admission
sf Missouri, without restriction Of slavery warmly
cooperating With Henry Clay in his efforts in co ..
promising that exciting question. His course In
Congrsw on these questions subjected Hslnes to
severe csnsure both In assschusetts and Maine,
but ddnot materially impair his popularity with the
democracy ofshs latter. Having sxsrted himself to
cnect separation OF Maine from Massachusetts,, he
vas chosen member Of the convention to form .
constitution for Maine, and acted as chairman OF
Me- committee TO draft IL He had no difficulty In
ENGRAVING upon II such democratic features a. he
wished, for the people looked upon him as the lead
q in fhe movement which made Maine an inaspsa.
dsnt State. He had the honor OF bsiug chosen one
iof the first Senators to represent the new State ia
Congress Having drawn for the short term he wss
neglected in 1871 for term OF nix years. On thssx
piration Of that term hs was superseded BY Albion
X. Paris, whom he had supported for Governor in
1891 a. the peoples candidate against custom house
influence, headed by Gen. Dearborn Governor Par
ris having resigned his soat Is Senator In 1872 Mr.
Holmes was chosen to supply his place for the four
years remaining Of the term which expired in March,
1888. He thsn retired 10 private life, at his rssi-
dencs ID Alfred, York county but We believe was
eccasopally sent TO the Legislature. He was ap-
pointed by General Harrison, In ls4l, United States
District Attorney for Maine, and held the ONCE .,
the time Of his death which took place at Portland
July 7, 1s4s. He was about seventy years Of age
and had been q member Of the bar over forty ysars
and ever enjoyed an elevated and envAbls rsputa
tion In hi, profession.
While In Congress Mr.. Holmes was decidedly n
vorablc to the election Of William II. Crawford 70
the Presidency; and With hia colleague, Cen. Chan
der attended the caucus In February, 1874, which
nominated Mr.. Crawford a. the democratic eanlI
dae After the election Of John Quincy Adams "a ,bs
Presidency, Mr.. Holmes decided 10 support bis sd.
ministraton, and was sustained by large majority
Of the people Of Maine. He therefore opposed the
eestion OF Gen. jackson In 1913, and in the Senate
cooperated with Mr.. Clay and his friends in the or
gained opposition TO Jacksons administration. HI
ever afterwards acted with the wing party, and wa
consequently in the minority in Maine, after the
democracy OF the State decided for Jackson. In the
Senate he voted for the rchatsr ofthe United States
Bank In 1882. lie was doubtless one q the ablest
among the statesmen sent to Congress from Maine.
Cen. JoHs CHAsDLm was Of an old Massachusetts,