Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-07-08
VIM I. DAYTON, our Candidate for Vice President

WILLIAM LEwIs DAYTON, was born on the 18th
of February, 1907. He was graduated at the
College of New Jersey, in 1925. He made
choice of the legal profession, but want of health
prevented his being admitted to the bar until
Froom. one of the first lawyers of the country.
In 1885 he was chosen member of the Senate
of New Jersey, though Monmouth County, in
which he resided, was strong Democratic place
and Mr. DAYTON was thorough-going Wing
We believe the county was never before or after
ward carried by the Wings. 1t shows how pop
ular he must have been to be able to cause his
political opponents so completely to conquer
their preiudices" for IN those days the lines of
division were strongly drawn between the Wings
and the Democrats. Appointed to the chairman
ship of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Dayton
was instrumental in etfecting valuable legal re-
forms q fact that shows his superiority to pro-
fessional influences, lawyers being generally
conservative in all their ideas, and particularly
averse to changes in modes OF legal procedure
The next year he was made Justice of the
Supreme Court Of New Jersey, and, though he
was but % years old, he early obtained a high
reputation as iurist. No name stands higher
than his on the roll ofthe Judges of New Jersey
He held the office three years, at the end OF
which time he returned TO the bar, and soon be-
came its head, as for some time before he bad
been one OF ats most brilliant ornaments.
Mr. Dayton's career as national statesman
commenced in ls42. when he was in his thirty
sixth year. Samuel L. Southland, q man OF the
highest talent and reputation, and who has done
Tauch to elevate the character Of New Jersey
~ the National Councils died that year. At the
tir:,e of mis- death he was a member of the Uni
ted States Senate. in which body he lad served
for many years. The Legislature of New jersey
not being in session at the time, vacancy was
thus caused in that States delegation it was fill
ed by Executive appointment, and Gov. Pen
,.::eee,ton name Judge Dayton to fill it. The ap-
pointment was approved by the Legislature
which elected Mr.. Dayton 10 serve out the bal
ance Of Mr.. Southard's term. That time expir.
ing IN 1915, he was reelected for term Of 81,
years. He served in the Senate from the 9th Of
July, 1912 to the 18th of March, 1851. He soon
became known to the nation as one of the no.
blest members of the Senate, which then com
handed the highest respect OF the people,
position IN which IN these latter days II haa done
much TO forfeit by its scrvili5y TO Executive
power. He spoke on the various great questions
that came before the Senate, and his speeches
were remarkable for the evidence they contain
ed OF various, extens.v,, and well digested At
tainments, their vigorous logic, and their stric
pertinence to the subjects under discussion. NJ
Senator was more respected, or enjoyed larger
measure Of public confidence and esteem. Hi!
, retirement from the public service was los
! that was deeply felt, the more 50 that the Sen
ate was losing its high character through the
withdrawal from it of many Of its Oldest and
best members. We have understood that i
! President Taylor had lived, Senator Dayton va
to have been appointed one of the first diploma
tic posts within his gift, and doubles he woulC
have filed the place with that usefulnes which
has marked al his official life