Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-07-15
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! la 1872 Fillmore was elected to Congress. md
took bis seat in that stormy session which sue
ceeded the removal Of the deposites from the
United States Bank by general Jackson
Through this session Mr.. F. labored with great
diligence 10 advance the interests ofhis eonsitn-
cnts and his common country. and retired To re-
sumo his profession. with clear record behind
him. In 1856. he again elected to Congress,
served on the committee of Ways and Means.
and took active part IN the long debate which
ensncd upon the famous "Broad Seal case. from
New Jersey. In this congress Mr.. f. establish
/ ed his reputition powerful debaier and m
/ indriatieabe business man. .....=
/ he Is ELECTED TO CONGRESS. AND SERVES As
I CHAIRMAN on THE COMMITTEE or WAYS AID
MEAN.
/ In 1875 he bad the homer of being again cleo
! ted tn Congress, ond by n larger majority than
/ was ever given in his district. lie was nppoin-
+ ted chairman of the Committee Of Ways and
/ Means, then. now. the most important and ar
duous position in Congress. Space will not permit
us 10 detail. in this article. the admirable man
ner In which Mr.. Fillmore discharged the duties
Of his responsible position. Those who are fafnl-
liar with the political history Of that period know
well the difficulties which environed our Govern
ment. The death of Gen. Harrison had placed
John Tyler in the presidential chair and pub
l'c affairs were in a state OF great arrangement.
The revenue not sufficient to meet govern
mcnt expenses; accounts were IN a state of con
fusion there bad been peeulations in many de-
partnents of the public business, the national
debt was daily increasing, without nny scheme
of liquidation; trade aud commerce dropped Nh
der the pressure of many embsrrassments in
fact, distress pervaded the country. To re-
arrange all these matters, to create resources, 10
devise strioier regulations for the public bust
ness 10 restore prosperity to tho country,
directly the duty of the Committee OF Ways and
Mems. To increase their difficulties the mi
nority in the House seemed bent upon delaying
every measure of relief. and, if possible, pre-
venting its passage. These efforts even found
countenance from President Tyler himself, who
was anxious TO conciliate the Democratic party.
his ABLE SERVICES
But, notwithstanding all these heavy embar.
easements, Mr.. Fillmore labored at the head of
his committee with an untirng determination to
carry out n thorough reform, and ne was emf
nently successful Government credit was re-
stored funds provided speculations checked;
and finally. to sum up the whole matter, the af
fairs of our nation were thoroughly regenerated
and purified. The gleat labor of this vast ope-
ration. the explaining. defending. and devil
sing of means, came directly upon Mr.. Fill
more, and he found fully equal to the task.
Calm, digniied aud courteous. eloquent and firm
in debate antiring in business, he at once took
the front rank, aud held it. unchallenged,
throughout the long aud aidaous session of the
Twenty. seventh Congress.
HE DECLINES a THIRD SoMINATIoN
Just before The close of tho session. Mr. Fill
more addressed letter to his constituents, de-
clarlng his intention not to be candidate for
reelection. Nevertheless, his constituents as
sembled IN conventions and renornnaed him by
reclamation. Although highly gratiiied by this
mark of public confidence Mr.. Fillmore adhered
10 his resolution. and returned to the duties of
his profession. Being now esteemed one Of the
ftr.t tl...O
practice widely extended. and in the highest
Courts of the lnnd he exhibited that clenrness
ct Ju' gment, that capacity for minute investiga-
ton, that strong argnmentatve ability, SO often
manifested in the halls of Congress.
HE Is NOMINATED FOR GOVERNOR.
In 1874 he reluctantly consented to run for
Governor, and was defeated, in common with al
most all the Wing nominees, not excepting he
first statesman oi the country Henry Clay.
lie is ELECTED STATE COMPTROLLER.
In 1917 III response to a popular call, Mr.. +.
reluctantly became the candidate for State Comp.
troler and was elected by tremendous ma
jority lie then removed to Albany aud entered
upon the duties of his office, which were arduous
aud complicated. Ills peculiar fitness for the
position was acknowledged by men of all parties,
ind never were the duties of of Comptroller dis
charged with greater ability or trust.
HE is a CANDIDATE FOR THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINATION.
Tho more important events of Mr.. Fillmore's
liie now approach. His talent prudence and
worth. combined with an abiding attachment to
the Union and Constitution, had gained him 4
widespread reputation, and it the desire Of
his friends To nominate him for Vice President
in 1874. ON the ticket with Henry Clay. The
Wings OF New York. in their Convention, unani.
mously nominated Mr.. Fillmore, but in the Ma
tional Convention, Mr.. Frclinghuysen, of New
Jersey, was the successful man
HE'S ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT
Mr.. Folks term # office expired, and Zachary
Taylor having won glorious name by his con
duct in the Mexican war; was nominated for
President by the Wing party. and Milard Fill
more for Vice President. In l8i9 he resigned
the Office of Comptroller. and assumed his posi-
ton as Vice President of the United States.
Ills CONDUCT AS VICE PRESIDENT.
His address to the Senate at this time was uni
versally commended for its modest, vet dignif
ed tone, md the sound patriotic doctrines it
maintained. A. President of the Senate. one of
Mr.. Fillmore's first acts was to revive the legal
authority of the presiding officer TO call Senator
to order for words spoken in debate. This pow
er was denied by Mr.. Calhoun, in 1896, and was
! the usage of the Senate. MIR. Fillmore took OPP
! posite ground, and in II neat and perspicuous ad-
| dress, on proper occasion, declared his inten-
ton to call any Senator to order who in debate
used language unbecoming to his high position.
! The Senate unanimously. in appreciation of the
| Vice Presidents firm and honorable position, or
| dered his address to he entered upon the journal,
where it now stands an enduring evidence of
Mr.. Fillmore's firm and conscientious character
HE is CALLED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CHAIR.
On the oh Of July, 1850, Zuchery Taylor, then
President of the United States, after short i'll
ness. breathed his last. On the 10Th inst, Mr..
Fillmore took the oath to "preserpe, protect and
defend the Constitution ofthe United States"
and from the well known character of the man. he