The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-07-05

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there in the spring Of 1880. in which place
he continued to reside until his election as
Comptroller. and removal to Albany in the
winter of 1917.
His frs, entrance into public life was in
January, 1929, when he took his seat as a
member of the Assembly from Erie county,
to which office he was reelected the two fol-
lowing years. The so-caled Democratic
party in those three sessions as for many
years before and after, held triumphant sway
IN both houses of the Legislature, and but
little opportunity was afforded young mem
Der of the oppos: ton to distinguish himself.
But talent, integrity and assiduous devotion
to public business will make man felt and
respected even amidst a body of opposing
partizans: and Mr.. Fillmore, although in a
hopeless minority, so far as any question Of
a political party bearing was involved, on all
questions Of a general cha racter soon won the
confidence of the House in an uncxamplcd
degree 1t was common remark among the
members, IF Fillmore says it is right, we
will vote for it."
The most important measure of a general
nature, that came up during his service in
the State Legislatures was the bill to abolish
imprisonment iol debt. In behalf of that
great and philanlhropic measure, Mr. Fillmore
took an active part, urging with unanswera-
bic Arguments, its justice and cXpcdiency,
and as a member Of the committee OIL the
subject, aiding to perfect its details. That
portion OF the bill relating to justices courts
was drafted by him, the remainder being the
work Of the Hon. John &. Spencer The bill
met with fierce, unrclenting opposition at
every step of its progress, and to Willard
Fillmore as much as any other man, are we
indebted for cXpungiug from the statute book
that rcllc of a cruel barbarous age mprison-
mcnt for debt.
He was elected to Congress IN the fall of
1882. The session Of lo33-j4 will long be
remembered as the one in which that system
of politics, known under the comprehensive
name of Jacksonsm. was fully developed 1t
was in the stormy session of lS333-34, immc-
diatcly succeeding the removal of the deposits
that MIR. Fillmore took his scat. In those
days the business of the House and debates
were led by old and experienced members
new ones, unless they enjoyed widespread
and almost national reputation, rarely taking
an active and conspicuous part. Little
chance, therefore, was afforded Mr.. Fillmore,
member of the opposition young and unas
Stunning, of displaying those qualities that so
cmincnty fit him for legislative usefulness.
AS he has ever done in all the stations he has
filled, he discharged his duty with scrupulous
fidelity, never emitting on all proper occa-
sions any effort to advance the interests of
his constituents and the country, and Win
ming the respect and confidence Of al
AT the close Of his term Of service, We re-
sum,d the practice Of his profession, which
he pursued with distinguished reputation and
success, until yielding TO the public voice, he
consented to become candidate and was re-
elected to Congress in the fall Of 1886. In
this Congress MIR. Fillmore took more ac-
tive part than he did during his first term
and on tie assembling Of the next Congress
to which he was reelected by u largely in
creased majority, he was assigned a prom-
ncnt place on what, next to that Of ways and
means. ii was justly anticipated would be-
come the most important committee of the
llousc--tilat on elections. 1t was in this
Congress that the famous contested New
Jersey case came up. 1t would swell this
brief biographical sketch to too great a length
to enter upon the details Of that case, and, it
is the less necessary to do so, inasmuch as
the circumstances of the gross outrage thcl,
pcrpctratcd by a party calling itself Republic
can, and claiming to respect State rights
must yet dwell in the recollection Of every
reader
The prominent part which Mr.. Fillmore
took III that case, his patient Investigation of
all lis complicated minute details, the clear
convincing manner in which he set foi In the
facts, the lofty and indignant eoquencc with
which he denounced the mrdltatcd wrong all
strongly directed public attention to him as
one Of the ablcst men of that Congress, dis
tinguishcd as it was by the eminent ability
and craftsmanship of many Of its members,
Public indignation was awakened by the
enormity Of the outrage, and in that long
catalogue Of abuses and wrongs which reused
u long suffering people to action, aid resulted
in the signal overthrow of a corrupt and in
solrnt dynasty in 1870 the New Jersey case
stood marked conspicuous.
On the assembling of the next Congress, to
which Mr.. Fillmore was reelected by a ma
jori,y larger than was ever before, given in
his district, he was placed at the head of TIC
committee on ways and means. The duties
of that station, always aiduous and respon-
sible, were at that time peculiarly so. The
measures he brought forward and Sustained
with matchlcss ability, speedily relieved the
Government from its embarrassment, and
have fully justified the most sanguinc cxpec.
tations of their benign influence upon tho
country at large.
Alter his long and severe labors IN the
committee room-labors sufficiently arduous
to break down any but one of an iron con.
stitution-sustaincd by spirit that nothing
could conquer he was required to give his
nnrrmttng attention to the business Of tho
House, to make any explanation of every ca.
vii or objection that the ingenious sophis,
try of a factious minority could devise. All
this, too, was required to be done with
promptn,ss. clcarncs>s, dignity and good
temper For the proper performance of these
varied duties few men are more happily
qualified than Mr. Fillmore. AT that forlu
nate age, when the physical and intellectual
powers arc displayed in the highest pclfec
ton, and the hasty impulses of youth, with
out any loss of its vgor, are brought under
control of large experience in public affairs
with mind capable of descending to minute
details, as well as conceivng grand system
of national policy, calm and deliberate If
judgment, self-possessed and fluent in debate
of dignificd presence, never unmindful of thu
courtesies becoming social and public inter
course, and of political integrity unmpeacha
bic, he was admirably fitted for the post Of
leader of the 9th Congress.
just before the close of the first sessions o
this Congress, MIR. Fillmore i'll a letter ad
dressed to his constituents, siSniiicd his inten