Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-27

ating in 1874 As soon as his collegiate course
was completed he commenced his political life
by F" stumping for Polk and Dallas When
the election was over he entered the law Office
of Z. B. Streeter, Esq, late Solicitor to the
Treasury, and was admitted to the bar in the
autumn Of l847.
In the spring of 1850 it was found that his
close application to study while in college, and
his subsequent confinement to his business,
was impairing his originally fine constitution,
! and he was forced to retire temporarily from
his profession to seek a recuperation of his
physical powers in outdoor exercise. He ac-
cordingly returned to his mothers farm and
resumed his place in the field. In the winter
of 1850 he surveyed six thousand acres Of
land into small lots.
In the summer of 1850 the Democratic con-
ventiOn of his county nominated him unani-
mously for the Legislature but he declined
In the autumn of the same year he was first
elected to Congress- The Democrats of the
district were divided, and had two candidates
in the field, each claiming to be the regular
nominee. Eight days before the election both
agreed to resign if Mr.. Grow would be the can
didate He was visited by delegation who
found him not exactly, like Cincinnatus, plow-
ing, but working with a set Of hands on the
public highway, rebuilding a bridge that had
been carried away by a freshet He heard
their proposal and consented to be a candi-
date both the other candidates resigned as
agreed upon, and a convention, was called
which nominated Mr Grow, just one week
before the election He was successful, hay
ing majority of twelve hundred and fifty
votes and in 1851 he took his seat, the ycun-
gest member of the thirty Congress-
The second time he was elected by majority
OF seven thousand five hundred the third
time he was elected unanimously, on account
Of the satisfaction with which men of all par
ties in his district regarded his Strenuous 0p-
position to the kauSaS-Ne ebraska Bill. The
last occasion upon which he asked for the votes
Of his constituency he was elected by a larger
vote than he received when there was no op
position. During the Speakership of Mr.
Banks, Mr. Grow was chairman of the Com
mittee on Territories, one of the most impor-
tant positions in the gift of the Speaker. Up.
on Mr.. Banks retirement from Congress, Mr..
Grow became virtually the leader of the Op-
postion-an arduous post which he has always
filled so as not only to win the applause Of his
friends but to gain the respect Of bis political
opponents. lie received the Republican vote
for Speaker at the commencement of this scs-
sion.
In the summer of 1855 he visited Europe
in company with Hon. L. b. Morgan and Hon.
b. Pringle, of New York, Hon. L. b. Wash
burnc of Illinois, and others. They intended
to visit the Crimea. but were prevented by the
prevalence of cholera While in Paris, our
Representatives were treated with great con
sderation by the Emperor of the French, be-
ing invited to the ball given in honor Of Queen
Victoria. who was then visiting Napoleon.
With the probability of long life before
him, having thus early distinguished himself,
it would be an idle speculation to set limits to
his future lie has already attained high
position as a leader in debate and parliament
tary tactics We may reasonably anticipate
more honors and distinction for him but the
pleasure Of them for himself and the worth Of
them for others, will be found in the facts of
his strict personal uprightness and private in-
tegrity -Harper's Weekly.